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 
