Photo of the Russells Cup winners.

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 Russells Cup 2025

Winners: Jackie Fox and David Storr

Runners-up: Sue Bates and David McAneney

This annual in-house knock out competition began with four games played to ten ends involving 16 couples, then  reduced to 8 couples in the semi final, also to 10 ends, followed by the final which was played as normal: first pair to  score 21 winning the match.  David and Jackie, Sue and Dave produced a thrilling final for us also rans to watch, with Dave and Sue first gaining advantage by end 16 being 11-10 up before Jackie and Dave broke ahead to 14-12.  Then they scored a magnificent 4 at end 20 to make the score 18-12.  However, Sue and Dave regained the jack and steadily increased their score until it was 18 all, followed by a 2 which put them ahead 20-18.  Dave and Sue were on the jack and seemed likely to have won the match on end 28 but bowling last and with her final shot Jackie knocked them off and gained 2 for the Fox/Storr team, making the score 20-20. With a final flourish Jackie and David were straight on the jack and won the last end with the score 21-20.  We were all on the edge of our seats.  Excellent bowling all round.     

Spital Ladies v Little Aston Ladies

Score on aggregate: Spital 83 - Little Aston 64

It was lucky for Spital ladies that we went to Little Aston with a 17 shot advantage after our home win in April, as our hosts were in fine form and ready to avenge the score. On a hot and humid afternoon we played 4 games of 15 ends with each side winning two and losing two.  Jackie Fox was our star player of the afternoon winning 15-5 alongside June Atkins and winning a second time 13-4 with partner Sue Bates. On the day the score was 43 Spital, 41 Little Aston.  As usual our hosts were very welcoming and we always look forward to these friendly encounters on their lovely green.

Spital Bowls v Castle  Bowling Club

Spital 95 - Castle 71

At the end of a busy week for Spital, Castle Bowls Club came to play the first leg of a competition for the honour of winning the Spital Cup.  It was the hottest day of the year and our green was somewhat parched, proving tricky for all though our visitors made a valiant effort.  Everyone bowled well, eight games of 15 ends were played with Spital winning six of them.  We know we will have to be on our mettle for the return match in August.  The match was played in very good spirits and we look forward our next meeting in July.

Strawberry Fayre at Spital Bowls Club

This annual fun fundraising event is a treat for us to enjoy in midsummer although it was a ferociously hot day. We had dressed appropriately for the occasion in predominantly red and white, to reflect the theme of the day. We bowled as normal on a club afternoon, but at the tea hour, we repaired to the clubhouse which had been transformed into a lovely tea room by Sue Bates and June Atkins, where we enjoyed a delicious cream tea with homemade scones, courtesy of Sue,  strawberries and cream. A marvellous afternoon and now a cherished tradition of the club.

Spital Bowling v Glascote Social Club

Score: Glascote 107 - Spital 76

The match at Glascote Social Club  commenced with 4 games on the green under cloudy threatening skies, and then down came the rain, not ideal for  bowling.   Rain stopped play for about 20 minutes and then we hardy wet souls continued  our efforts, with the home team establishing their superiority on their green, despite some close scores.  Of the seven games played Glascote won five. June Atkins with Keith Evans and Pat Humphreys with Ray Vanstone managed to win the two for Spital. Towards the end of the afternoon the sun did come out and we certainly had a warm welcome from the hosts.  We aim to redress the balance in the score when Glascote Social Club  visit us for the return match in August.

The Howard McAneny Cup

Winners: Jackie Fox and Ray Vanstone

Runners-up: Pat and Michael Humphreys

The start of this round-robin competition was delayed by an hour due to inclement weather conditions, but miraculously cleared for the 4 hour window needed to complete proceedings. This is the event where a gentleman invites a lady to be his partner and six games of seven ends are played with everyone having a bye and a welcome rest during the afternoon. Conditions of play changed starting with very wet grass, which became dryer and faster during the day. The score is kept secret and revealed at the end. Jackie and Ray were on great form and accumulated a score of 49, with the Humphreys 9 shots behind in second place and Wendy and Keith Evans in third place with a score of 32. We have to thank Sue Bates for yet another well organised very enjoyable competition.  

Spital Gents v Little Aston Gents, Home

Spital 56 - Little Astion 65

Despite there being a gap of a few years since Little Aston men came to play on our green, the visitors adapted to conditions amazingly quickly and stormed to a strong lead, winning 4 and gaining a draw out of the 6 games played.  Luckily for the home team, Dave McAneny was on good form winning alongside Ade Coleman with a score of 16-2, then logging an 11-12 loss alongside Keith Evans in his second match. Alan Hancock and Ray Vanstone drew 10-10 in their match, helping to keep the loss down to 9 shots, but all credit to Little Aston who were on fine form. We know we will have a stern challenge when we play the return leg at Little Aston in July, but we relish the challenge! After the match refreshments were provided by the ladies, so thank you girls.

Spital v Little Aston, Mixed, at Home

Spital 97  -  Little Aston 38

On a beautifully sunny afternoon we welcomed our friendly adversaries from Little Aston to the first leg of this annual competition.  The home team were in fine form and won all 8 games played, gaining a 59 point advantage to take with us when we play the away leg in July. Rob and Sue Bates set the standard with a 14-5 win, followed by Mike and Wendy, 14-1, David S and Pat, 14-6 and Dave M and Sue S 14-9. Ade and Joyce had a 12-7 win, Keith and Jackie 9-3, Lidia and Rob, 9-4 and Keith, in his second match of the day with Pauline, 11-3.  Little Aston put up a valiant defence but our large very dry green worked in our favour on the day.

The afternoon concluded with a very well-deserved cup of tea and a slice of delicious homemade cake. Many thanks again to Ladies Captain Sue Bates who organized the event.  

Barry Holmes Trophy
The annual gents versus ladies competition was played on an unseasonably cold afternoon with 8 gents playing 7 ladies plus a volunteer gent Rob Bates. A draw was held to determine partners and a round robin format was used with the scoring system of first four woods count. Best results for the ladies were Jackie & Pauline 145 with Sue & Rob 138 and in the gents Rob & David 169 and Dave & Alec 168. The gents retained the Barry Holmes trophy for another year with the final score of 636-484.

Spital Ladies v Little Aston Ladies.

On a beautiful warm sunny afternoon Spital played host to Little Aston Ladies in the first leg of their annual friendly match. Both teams had struggled for players but they managed to make 4 games where Spital took 3 victories and Little Aston 1. Joyce & Wendy won 10-4 against Sheila & Doreen, June & Pat 10-6 against Brenda & Maddie, Sue & Joyce 13-4 against Mary & Dot and Maureen & Lidia had a close game with Chris & Shirley losing 7-9. After the match everyone enjoyed afternoon tea in the pavilion with a lovely selection of home made cakes. The ladies look forward to the return leg later in the season.

Spital Ladies v Lichfield Museum Ladies

Spital Ladies 45 - Musuem Ladies 55

This competition is always our first away match of the ladies bowling calendar, and in the past we have enjoyed balmy summer sunshine on the lovely green in Lichfield. However, on this occasion we were obliged to wear winter warmers whilst  battling very windy cold conditions. Lichfield Ladies, competitive as ever, won three of the five games, with June Atkins and Jackie Kirk, Jackie Fox and Pat Humphreys posting winning scores for Spital.  We will endeavour to reverse the scores when we play the return match later in the season.  

Bowling Season Starts at Spital Bowls Club

Gareth Coates,  the Mayor of Tamworth, looking splendid in his chains of office,  came to take the first bowl of the season and get our first afternoon of bowling off to a fine start. The Mayor showed a great aptitude for the game, benefiting from guidance from Gents Captain Ray Vanstone and playing alongside a crowd of us regulars until teatime, when we all enjoyed a marvellous selection of homemade cakes and a very welcome cuppa.