Resolven BC Celebrates with ‘The 94’ Tournament

A very successful 5th Annual Invitational Tournament was held by Resolven Bowls Club recently with 24 teams of some of Wales’ top players competing for the John Hopkins Memorial Trophy.

The main organisers/brains committee of ‘The 94’ were Andrew Hopkins-Chair RBC, Simon Ace-Hon. Sec. RBC, Stephen Allen-Capt. 2026 and from afar Mike Herbert.

The Tournament Programme cover
Invited teams, seeded entries, players and volunteers on the day.

A marquee and gazebos were erected to protect participants, spectators and working volunteers from the very strong sunshine.

Obviously the long hot dry weeks had a big impact on the speed of the bowling green making the timing of a bowl reaching a three quarter jack at almost 18 seconds. For those not involved in the Sport of Lawn Green Bowls, that speed is ‘lightening fast’ and not generally encountered outdoors on grass in the UK. The Resolven ‘greens team’ had worked incredibly hard to create a surface worthy of a big tournament with the cooperation of the Resolven Community Council.

To enable prize money of over £3000 the event was very well supported by generous sponsors as seen in the photograph below plus Martin Harries for use of Neuadd Cwmllynfell Hall Outdoor Bowls Club sound system.

The Sponsors for the John Hopkins Trophy
The Umpire, Chris Burnett was an important Official on the day

Thanks to Lionel Stock for the following photographs

Hard working volunteers before and during the event

The following photographs from Hugh Lewis

.

.

.

.

.

Winners of The Plate – Anthony Owen, Paul Rees and Robert Richards
The Trophy Finalists before ‘the battle’
Trophy Runners Up – Nathan Hurn, Rhys Jackson and Carl Wood
Tournament Winners Ben Jackson, Arwel Morgan, Nick Evans and Matthew Stevens with Hugh Lewis presenting the John Hopkins trophy.

~

Many of the same participants will take part in the Randall Sims Twilight Threes Tournament beginning on Monday, 24 August 2026 for the whole week.

~ ~ ~

/by