The Sport of Bowls can be played from the age of eight to over the age of eighty eight and in the last 20 years more young people have experienced and enjoyed the technique and tactics of a sport that is now played world wide.

On the 4th August there was a great day of bowls in Resolven enjoyed by many people during some overdue dry weather. Everyone, players and spectators alike, were treated to world class bowling.

As well as a number of local bowlers taking part in the Resolven Bowls Club event it was also supported by many top players from across Wales who made for an excellent spectacle once again for the big crowd.

Welsh Internationals, Jack Davies, Jarrad Breen & Ross Owen successfully defended the John Hopkins Memorial Trophy coming through and showing their class under pressure situations in the Quarter Final and a close Semi Final against Resolven BC’s Simon Ace, Stephen Allen and Andrew Hopkins.

All who took part said that the green was a great surface to play on throughout the day, due to a lot of hard work from many volunteers led by Gareth Evans and groundsman Roy Gillespie.

Umpires John Jenkins and Meurig Evans were required for the day and they appreciated some better weather than the previous two years.

The complex organisation fell to Mr Mike Herbert, tournament convenor who carried out the task with enthusiasm and expertise as usual.

The following photographs give a flavour of the day at the Resolven Bowling green.

~ ~

Welsh National Finals

Only a few day after the ‘Festival of Bowls at RESOLVEN’ reported above, were the Welsh National finals at Llandrindod Wells.

As previously reported local bowlers Regan Ace, Simon Ace, Strephen Allen and Andrew Hopkins were successful at County level to go through to the Welsh National Finals which were played from the 9th to 19th of August.

In the National Finals, Regan won his 1st round Under 25 game but in a very close game unfortunately lost 21-20 in 2nd round. A couple of days later he was in action again with his Father, Simon in the Open Pairs in another close match, narrowly loosing.

A couple of excellent days for Stephen Allen winning both 1st and 2nd round Singles matches in convincing fashion 21-7 and 21-3.

A few days later Stephen lost to eventual Welsh Champion Carl Wood of Llanbradach in the Open Singles Semi-Final.

~

In the Open Pairs section Andrew and Stephen Allen won in the 1st and 2nd rounds but narrowly lost to RTB Ebbw Vale’s Owain Dando and Steve Harris by 1 shot after an extra end.

Resolven Bowls Club say they are very proud of the way that Regan, Simon, Andrew and Stephen represented their Club and the West Glamorgan County in the Welsh National Finals in 2024.

~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~

Click on the Link below to see ‘Cartref’ – The Summer magazine for Tai Tarian tenants.

https://www.taitarian.co.uk/media/q34fqbsv/cartref-summer-2024-final.pdf

Submitted by Cllr. Dean Lewis

~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~

This year, once more, bowlers from various clubs have been battling through several rounds on many different Greens to compete in the Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours to reach the Annual West Glamorgan County Finals held at Brynhyfryd Bowls Club, Neath. The Semi-Finals were held on Thursday 11 July and the Finals on Friday 12 July 2024.

Resolven Bowls Club were represented in as many as five of the tournament sections this year.

The Resolven fours were through from the early rounds to the Semi-Final where they put up a good fight against the Briton Ferry Steel Bowls Club four.

In the Under 25 tournament, 16 year old Regan Ace played an excellent Semi-Final game against Matthew Thorne, Briton Ferry Steel Combine BC to get through to the Final the following day.

A little later Regan joined his Father, Simon in the Open Pairs against J Flynn and E Thomas, Pontrhydyfen.

In his first full season of playing lawn bowls with Resolven Bowls Club, Regan was outstanding and his experienced opposite number, Jamie Flynn later commented that he “had no chance against him”. The photo’ shows Regan’s bowls on one end during the game. Needless to say that Simon and Regan Ace were successful in their bid to get into the final.

It was a busy day on the Brynhyfryd green for Resolven Bowls Club members because Andrew Hopkins and Stephen Allen were also successful in their pairs match against Mike Brain and Rhys Colwill, Briton Ferry Steel Combine BC. Which meant that the Pairs final would be an all Resolven game.

Stephen also won his Open Singles Semi-Final match against Geoff Mellor, Skewen to also play in Friday’s Open Singles Final.

~

Friday – Finals Day

In the U25 County Singles final Regan gave another great display against a high quality opponent, Rhys Colwill, Briton Ferry Steel Combine. Final score 16 – 21. Rhys Colwill and the County runner-up Regan will be competing in the Welsh Championship at Llandrindod Wells between 9 and 19 August 2024.

From April at the start of the outdoor bowls 2024 season individual West Glamorgan clubs have also been playing what is called a Double 4’s tournament. Two teams of four players play against a club with one team playing home and one team away. No communication is to be made between the teams until all the ends have been completed. In this tournament Resolven Bowls Club (RBC) have been successful many times. The final of this Double 4’s is played on the one bowling green at the end of the last day of the County Finals.

This year RBC played Dunvant BC in the final.

After18 ends of play Resolven beat Dunvant BC by 15 shots to become 2024 County Double 4’s Champions.

Back Row Lt to Rt: Steven Gall, Shaun Kelly, Aeron Humphries, Nigel Davies

Front Row: Martin Addis, Tony Gregg, Lionel Stock, Simon Williams

The Final of the Open Pairs between Regan Ace, Simon Ace and Andrew Hopkins, Stephen Allen was being played at the same time as the Double 4’s therefore Resolven BC had 12 bowlers on the Brynhyfryd green simultaneously.

Lt: Stephen and Regan with Tony Gregg and Simon Williams, part of the Double 4’s in the background, on the adjacent rink.

.

.

.

.

After 18 ends and an excellent match Stephen and Andrew become the 2024 WGCBA Champions and they will be playing in the Welsh Championship Finals at Llandrindod Wells as will the runners up, Simon and Regan.

A little earlier Stephen Allen also successfully defended his Open Singles title against Paul Champion, Mount Pleasant BC.

After a tense few minutes and a difficult measure for the Umpire and marker, Paul congratulated Stephen on winning 21 – 15 and again becoming the Open Singles Champion. He is only the 5th player in the history of the West Glamorgan County finals who has retained the Open Singles title.

Congratulations to RBC members for a very successful 2024 West Glamorgan County Bowls Association tournament. It was good to see that Resolven Bowls Club was so well represented in the County Finals at Brynhyfryd.

Resolven BC can be very proud of their achievements so far this year.
Well done to all concerned!

~ ~ ~ ~

The Park field before the Parade and crowds arrived

The Parade

And into the Park field everyone goes.

Well done and congratulations to

The Resolven Community Events Group.

~ ~ ~ ~