Ron Romeril Rose Bowl 2026
The Ron Romeril Silver Rose Bowl is the newest Sunday competition trophy in the cabinet at the Sun Bowls Club and was presented to the Club by Ronnie himself. Ron is still a member at the age of 94, although his playing days are now over.
The competition was played out in near perfect conditions on Sunday 31st May. Such is the popularity of the Sunday Competitions that this one was over-subscribed in less than 24 hours, leaving several members disappointed. But the 48 who played made the most of their place on the green and competition was a keenly fought affair.
At the end of the afternoon, 4 teams had finished with 2 wins from 3, but 3 teams remained unbeaten. So shot difference was the deciding factor. With a shot difference of +9, Russell Eyre, Harry Barbet and Joan Whelan claimed third place.
However, the other two unbeaten teams finished with exactly the same shot difference of +22, which is quite unusual. In order to separate the winners and runners-up, the totals in the ‘shots for’ column were added up. This resulted in the team of Bob Le Sueur, Peter Davis and Sylvia Howard, with a shot difference of +36, just losing out to Andy Achler, Chris Grimes and new bowler David A De Gruchy, who had a shot difference of +40.
Ronnie was on hand to present his trophy to the winning team. Congratulations to them and all others who played.
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Tom Kidd Trophy 2026
Arguably the most prestigious trophy at the Sun Bowls Club, the magnificent glass Tom Kidd Trophy with its floating glass globe, was contested in heatwave conditions on Sunday 24th May. Tom was a popular character and spent many hours at the Sub Bowls Club until his untimely and unfortunate death in Thailand in 2000. Tom left a legacy to the Club which was to be spent on an annual competition followed by a ‘meal with wine’ for the members to enjoy. The legacy is now spent but his memory lives on with the annual competition followed by a BBQ.
And so it was that 16 triples teams took to the green to play 4 x eight end games. Once again it was good to see a mix of new and more experienced bowlers lining up alongside each other to play out the keenly contested games.
After the end of the third game, two teams had recorded 3 wins each, meaning that the last game – where they were drawn to play each other – would decide the overall winner. As it happened, that game turned out to be a very one-sided affair, with Russell Eyre’s team running out 17-3 winners over Sue Cockle’s team and therefore claiming the coveted glass trophy. Russell, along with Dave Robinson and Moira Larkin finished the day unbeaten with 8 points and a +34 shot difference.
For Sue, Babs Kittleson and Jeff Ruellan, it was double disappointment, as they were pipped for the runners up spot by the team of John Le Goff, Jackie Knight and Jim McKenna, who won their last game and finished with 6 points and a shot difference of +2. Sue’s team finished with 6 points but a shot difference of -2.
At the end of an enjoyable day, all players were glad to get out of the sun and enjoy a drink and the BBQ. Congratulations to all who took part and to those who helped to make the day a success.
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Liberation Day 2026
In spite of the showery forecast, the Margaret and Garnet Hafey Trophy for Liberation Day was played in near perfect sunny conditions. The dress code for the day was red, white and blue, to reflect the significance of the day and so the green was awash with patriotic colours. Forty-five players, including several new members, took to the green, starting at 10am, for four 8 end games of triples. Once again, there was a good atmosphere on the green and the games were played in a friendly but competitive spirit.
Shot difference was needed to determine the runners up position. Finishing with three wins and one defeat, was the team of Jim Larkin, Babs Kittleson and new bowler David Alan De Gruchy. Their shot difference was +6, which was not quite enough for second place. Taking the runners up position, with two wins and two draws and a shot difference just one better at +7, was the team led by Andy Achler, along with Derek/Helen Wood and Sylvia Howard.
But the clear winners on the day, with a clean sweep of four wins and a very impressive +27 shot difference, was skip Brian Bisson, Keith Chapman and Sarah Haycock, another new bowler playing in her first competition. Congratulations to the winners and to all who took part in what was an enjoyable celebration of Liberation.
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Buckfield Trophy
Following on from the first two Sunday competitions of the 2026 bowls season, the Buckfield Trophy was played out on the 26th April in sunny and still conditions. Forty four members took to the green to play the usual 3 games of 8 ends. All 8 rinks were used and it was good to see a full green once again, reflecting how popular the Sunday competitions are. Players of all abilities were drawn in to the 16 teams and it was good to see some new bowlers once again taking part.
At the end of another enjoyable afternoon, 7 teams finished with two wins and one loss from their 3 games. And so shot difference decided the runners-up position. With shot differences ranging from +1 to +17, it was the team of Russell Eyre, Carol Le Goff and Maurice Boreland who achieved second place, helped by convincing wins of 12-3 and 15-3 in their first and last games.
But, leading the way with a perfect three out of three, was the team led by Eileen Vowden, along with George Reid and Gordon Peacock. They had an impressive shot difference of +20. Congratulations to them and to all who took part.
The next competition will be held on Liberation Day, which will be an all-day competition, consisting of 4 games of 8 ends. Patriotic colours are to be worn.
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Ladies Day – Mary Kidd Trophy
The second Sunday competition of the 2026 season took place on 19th April. Known as Ladies Day, the Mary Kidd Trophy requires all skips to be ladies, with participants encouraged to wear something pink. As a result, the green was filled with numerous shades of pink, as members enthusiastically embraced the dress code. All 48 spots were filled, with players taking to the maximum eight rinks for three games of triples, each lasting eight ends, in pleasant weather conditions.
A diverse mix of participants, including new members and bowlers as well as more experienced players, formed 16 teams. Every game was competitive yet friendly, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for all.
Four teams won two out of their three games, while three managed two wins and a draw, earning five points each. The team of Ann Bisson, Dave Robinson and Ken Corbin finished third with a shot difference of +7, just missing out on the prizes. In second place, with a shot difference of +8, were Jill Barbet’s team, including Peter Davis and Maurice Boreland.
Ladies Vice Captain Abbey Andrieux, John Le Goff, and Ray Langdon took home top honours this week with a +11 shot difference. Congratulations to them and to everyone who contributed to another successful and delightful afternoon on the green.
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Opening Day: Devonshire Trophy 2026.
Bright but breezy conditions greeted 42 members as they took to the green for the opening day competition at the Sun Bowls Club on Sunday 12th April. It was a somewhat chilly start to the season but one which all those taking part very much enjoyed.
The day started with the traditional one minute’s silence around the flagpole followed by the ‘spider’ competition. All players stand around the green with one foot in the ditch and bowl one wood at the same time towards a single jack positioned in the middle of the green. The closest wood to the jack when all the woods have come to rest is declared the winner and receives a bottle of wine. On this occasion, the swimmer was Colin Rabet.
From then, it was on to the competition proper, consisting of 3 games of 8 ends, played in a triples format. Considering it was the first competition of the season, the green was running very well, which was no surprise as it had been open for 3 weeks. All credit must go to our greenskeeper and his team for preparing the green, in spite of the efforts of a handful of crows determined peck away at the playing surface.
Throughout the day there were some good close games – and also those which were not so close! But as ever, the games were keenly contested by players of all abilities. It was good to see both new players and also new members taking part along with the more established club bowlers.
At the end of the three games, no less than 6 teams finished with two wins and one loss, meaning that shot difference determined second place on this occasion. With a shot difference of +17, and taking the runners-up spot, were the team skipped by new member Brian Bisson, along with Tony Morton and Joan Whelan.
But taking the honours and winning the Devonshire Trophy with three wins out of three, were Club Captain Kevin Andrieux, new member Carol Le Goff and Ken Corbin with 6 points and a +12 shot difference. Congratulations to them, and to all who took part.
At the presentation in the Clubhouse, Club President, Peter Davis, thanked the members who had taken part, as well as the kitchen helpers, bar staff and the greenkeeper and his team.
Sun Bowls Club, Jersey 
