OLD BLEACH BOWLING CLUB

THE BLEACHERS FINISH SEASON IN STYLE

Old Bleach finished their 2011 league season in style last Saturday with both teams winning as the senior team earned six points and a half points at home to Cavehill while the juniors came home from Mossley with a maximum seven

This weekend though sees Old Bleach represented in the Irish Championships at Carrick with the winning PGL rink of Nutt, Talbot, Hall and Booth and pairs winners Rainey and Booth in action against the championship winners from the NIBA, PTBA and the BLI to fight it out for the honour of representing Ireland in next seasons British Isles team championships in Wales.

In the fours semi finals the OB boys face NIBA rink skipped by their Irish international colleague Clifford Craig while in the last four of the pairs the local men play Provincial Towns winners Mark Wilson and Colin Hogg.

TALBOT SUCCESS CELEBRATED BY CLUB

Old Bleach Bowling Club honoured one of their own last Friday night as they celebrated the success over the past year of long serving member James Talbot.

Wiralla bowls club, in Australia’s New South Wales, was the setting for the history making achievement of Old Bleach member of 25 years Talbot were he competed against some of the top names in the world of bowls from countries from Asia, America, Europe and Africa. It has been a great 12 months for Irish International Talbot. Firstly he travelled to America to win MAP international bowls challenge world outdoor singles title before making his way to Australia a few months later to bring home the Indoor World Cup singles title, the first time it has ever graced Irish shores in the competitions history. Add to that the PGL rinks title with team mates Michael Nutt, Sammy Hall and Neil Booth and also the honour of helping Old Bleach to their first ever senior trophy in the clubs 65 year history after winning the PGL senior cup it certainly could be the best 12 months in his two decades in the game.

After winning 9 out of 10 qualifying games Talbot then had to overcome world number six Brett Wilkie, a former winner of the title, in the last four before defeating Scotland’s Graeme Archer in a tense tie break to lift the title and the tournaments top prize.

After his history making achievement back in March James commented; “I was absolutely thrilled to win the title. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have been bringing home the trophy.

“It was a formidable competition that brought together some of the worlds top players- most of them make their living from the game, so it really was something special for me to come out on top.”

On the night of celebration hosted by the club to honour his achievements Talbot went on to say; “This night came as a big surprise to me and I would like to thank all who organised it and for all those that have turned out to make it so special.

“I’ve been a member of this club for 25 years and in that time they have always looked after their members and supported them so this is really a night I will remember for a long time.

“I may have been out in America and Australia representing Ireland but I was also representing this great club. Old Bleach was always close to my heart out there so my achievements are in dedication to them.

“Winning these world titles have been special but what I will remember must about the past 12 months is helping this club win it’s first ever senior trophy in club history and winning the pal fours title once again that to me is special as I love this club and hopefully now the winning rink and pair of Tommy Rainey and Neil can cap of a great season by winning the Irish titles next week in Carrick.”

On the night James was presented with a crystal trophy by club president Nigel McNally who spoke in honour of his long time club mate has he said; “Over the past 12 months James has done this club proud and has been an inspiration to all of us.

“I and the club committee along with the members could not let his World achievements go unnoticed so we organised this night to honour his success.

“By the support and turnout tonight of both old and current members you can see what his efforts over the past 12 months has meant to us all. James is one of our own and always will be and it’s an honour as president to be able to host this night of celebration it’s made my 12 months as club president a memberable one.”

RAINEY DAY AT JORDANSTOWN AS BOOTHY WINS DOUBLE

It certainly was a rainey day in many ways at a rain lashed Jordanstown as Ulster Transport played host to Private Greens League Championship Finals last weekend as Old Bleach Tom Rainey become the toast of Randlestown after winning his first PGL championship title by lifting the pairs with team mate Neil Booth.

It was also a day to remember for Irish International skip Booth who earned a championship double by also winning the rinks with Michael Nutt, Sammy Hall and James Talbot.

It was certainly a great achievement by Neil who dew to other commitments was only able to enter both the pairs and fours events this season so to come away unbeaten in both disciplines is something to be proud off but the day had to belong to Rainey after that first PGL title.

Tom who has been a member of Old Bleach for many years even serving a term as president always dreamed of playing in a championship finals weekend and has worked hard over the years to achieve that goal.

Last season he came close after reaching the last eight of the blue riband event the singles losing out to then beaten finalists Alister Moore but not to be denied this year Rainey showed all in the PGL he can mixed it with the top players with top class leading for Boothy throughout the competition especially last weekend in both the semi final and final.

All at Old Bleach were naturally delighted and proud of all their winners on the day but none more so for Rainey who is a firm favourite with all around the club the tweetler as he is nicknamed by his team mates will certainly remember last Saturday night for a very long time and no one deserved it more.

After coming from behind to beat former winners Paul Daly and Brendan Thompson from the host club in the semi final they played local neighbours in the shape of Ballymena Bowling Clubs Steven Shields and Jim Baker in the final.

The Ballymena pair made the better start leading 8-1 after the games first quarter but a count of 7 shots brought the scores level and the Old Bleach Pair never looked back to lift the title with a 21-16 winning scoreline.

In the rinks former winners Nutt, Talbot, Hall and Booth team up once again hoping to add their names to the title for the third time and after battling their way through to the last four they beat two Ballymena Bowling Club rinks skipped by Baker and Andy Duncan to once again add their names to the winners trophy.

The question now on everyone lips is can OB make it a treble trophy winning season by lifting the PGL senior cup for the first time in the clubs long history when they take on the high flying Belmont at Larne on Thursday night.

After shocking the odds by beating holders Dunbarton in the last four there is no reason way they cant once again upset the odds if they produce the same level of performance as they did in that semi final clash.

After the clash with Belmont the senior team then travel to Dunbarton for a Pgl senior division one league match were im sure the Gilford men will be out for revenge.

This week also sees the junior team in action tonight (Tuesday) as Dunbarton travel to Neilsbrook in a match they must win if they want to keep their chances of staying in touch with Ballymena in the title race alive so the Old Bleach juniors could do their old rivals a favour if they were to win.

That match has been brought forward from Saturday dew to the Old Bleach club hosting an Irish Junior Cup semi final clash between Queens Island and Kilrea.

TRIMBLE RETAINS PORTRUSH SINGLES TITLE

Old Bleach bowling clubs Brian Trimble wrote himself into the Portrush Open Bowling Tournament history books by becoming the first player in 58 years to retain the open singles title after a 21-13 win over Ballymoney’s Nicky McCaw.

The last person to achieve the same fate all those years ago was Billy McLeod from Scotland so it shows just how big an achievement it is for the old bleach bowling club player.

In 2010 on his first ever appearance at the tournament Trimble probably shocked the odds by lifting the singles title for the first time on that debut appearance but last week as holder he must have started as one of the favourites for the title and once again he showed the top player he really is to give himself a 100% record at one of the most popular tournaments on the outdoor circuit with two singles title wins in two appearances.

Winning a title is no easy fate but retaining it is even harder with everyone out to get you but Brian took it all in his stride and even very nearly made it a portrush double after a one shot defeat in the final of the pairs with partner Bryan Magrath so what a week it turned out to be for the Glengormley man.

Brian was naturally delighted with his achievements as he said; “I’m totally delighted to have retained the title and to become the first person in 58 years to do so it has put more of a shine on it and made the week more special.

“Winning the title last season for the first time on my debut appearance at the tournament was a special moment for me and my family but to retain it is a dream come true.

“I am also happy with the fact I made the pairs final with my partner Bryan Magrath and im just sorry I could not have helped him to the title.

“Bryan has had a tough time over the past year with his health and has fought hard to overcome many adversity’s he is an inspiration to many and I just wish he could have been rewarded with the pair’s title but he can be proud of his efforts.”

Trimble himself has faced many tough times over the past couple of years and like his partner has been an inspiration to many both off and on the green.

Both men will also be in action this week for Old Bleach Senior Team as the local men take on Dunbarton in the semi final of the pgl senior cup at Falls Bowling Club on Thursday night.

Dunbarton will start the game as firm favourites so having the underdog tag should take a little pressure of the Randlestown men as they try to salvage some silverware from what has been a tough season team wise.

Before that though the senior team take on Falls in a rearranged league match 24 hours earlier it travelling to fruithill park the night before the big semi final will be a good workout for all concerned and give them a chance to have a run out on the Falls green.

Then on Saturday it’s back to league action for both teams with the seniors travelling to Castleton and the junior team home to Knock.

OLD BLEACH SENIOR TEAM HAVE TWO MATCHES THIS WEEK WEDNESDAY REARRANGED LEAGUE MATCH AWAY TO FALLS AND A PGL CUP SEMI FINAL GAME AGAINST DUNBARTON ALSO AT FALLS BOWLING CLUB ON THURSDAY NIGHT. BOTH TEAMS LISTED BELOW.

SENIOR TEAM TO FACE FALLS: (RINK ONE) BILLY SCOTT, NIGEL MCALEESE, BILLY PATTON, NEIL BOOTH (RINK TWO) RONNIE TALBOT, TOMMY SURGEONOR, BRIAN TRIMBLE, MICHAEL NUTT. (RINK THREE) MARK TAIT, FREDDIE ANDERSON, TOMMY RAINEY, BRYAN MAGRATH. (RINK FOUR) WILLIAM FULLERTON, ANDY MATCHETT, NIGEL MCNALLY, SAMMY HALL.

SENIOR TEAM TO FACE DUNBARTON: (RINK ONE) BILLY SCOTT, NIGEL MCALEESE, BRYAN MAGRATH, NEIL BOOTH (RINK TWO) WILLIAM FULLERTON, BILLY PATTON, NIGEL MCNALLY, SAMMY HALL. (RINK THREE) RONNIE TALBOT, TOMMY SURGEONOR, BRIAN TRIMBLE, MICHAEL NUTT. (RINK FOUR) ROBERT MARK, FREDDIE ANDERSON, TOMMY RAINEY, JAMES TALBOT.

CONGRATULATIONS TO NEIL BOOTH AND TOMMY RAINEY ON MAKING THE SEMI FINAL OF THE PGL PAIRS AND ALSO TO THE RINK OF MICHAEL NUTT, SAMMY HALL, JAMES TALBOT AND NEIL BOOTH ON ALSO MAKING IT THROUGH TO THE LAST FOUR OF THE RINKS. THE CLUB WOULD ALSO LIKE TO WIISH WELL THE TRIPLE OF MICHAEL NUTT, BRYAN MAGRATH AND SAMMY HALL AS THEY TRY TO KEEP THEIR DEFENCE OF THE PGL TRIPLES TITLE ALIVE IN A QUARTER FINAL MATCH AGAINST A BALLYMENA TRIPLE SKIPPED BY ANDY DUNCAN NEXT WEEK AND ALSO TO SAMMY HALL AS HE TRYS TO WIN HIS WAY THROUGH TO THE SEMI FINAL STAGE OF THE SINGLES AS HE TRAVELS TO PLAY IRISH INTERNATIONAL COLLEAGUE BRENDAN THOMPSON OF ULSTER TRANSPORT.

OLD BLEACH SENIORS PROGRESS TO THE SEMI FINAL OF THE PGL SENIOR CUP AFTER A COMFORTABLE QUARTER FINAL OVER PICKIE AT THEIR NEILSBROOK HOME. IN THAT SEMI FINAL THEY WILL PLAY DUNBARTON. REPORT WILL FOLLOW LATER.

OLD BLEACH JUNIORS BACK IN THE LEAGUE MIX

Old Bleach Junior team kept forced themselves back in to the mix for the junior division one league title after a week to remember earning 13 points out of a possible 14 with wins away to Pickie and at home Comber.

They travelled to Pickie with a badly depleted team last Tuesday night dew to players on holiday and others with work commitments but all 16 players on the green showed determination and grit against a team on a nine match unbeaten run and came away from North Down with a full house of points shocking the odds on the night.

Three of the four OB rinks finished well up on the night with the forth skipped by Martin Robb winning it on the last end having trailing behind all night. All four deserve credit as they showed fighting spirit throughout but the win was earned dew to two top class bowls by skip Robb on that last end drawing to the edge of the ditch with both bowls as Pickie, who went into that last end one shot up, lying shot for game.

Special mention must be given to players like Peter Trimble and Michael McCullough both playing in their first league games of the season and they certainly done their bit on the front end of the rink skipped by John O Kane.

The win put a lot of confidences back into the team and that was evident last Saturday when they hosted other North Down team in the shape of Comber.

The match saw the return of Joe Barcley to Old Bleach colours after a work accident at the start of the season saw him sidelined. In the accident Joe sustained back injuries which many thought might have sidelined him for the whole season but Joe against the odds has proven to be a quick healer and all were overjoyed to see him back on the green on Saturday playing at lead on the rink skipped by John O Kane and he certainly proved he hadn’t lost his touch helping this rink 37-6 win over Comber rink skipped by J.McBride.

Old Bleach also won on two of the other three rinks with Arnie Campbell skipping his rink to a 25-10 win over B.Magill with Eddie Evans and his four winning 31-11 against R.Savage.

George Barnes and his rink finished five shots down at 18-23 against a strong Comber rink on form skipped by J.Jelle.

It was also a good week for Old Bleach senior team after they earned 10 points out of a possible 14 in matches against Pickie (at home) and Ballywalter (away).

The match against Pickie was a dress rehearsal for a quarter final PGL cup tie played at Old Bleach this Thursday night and if this match is anything to go by it certainly will be a cracker.

Last Tuesday night the Bangor based team won on three of the four rinks with the rink skipped by Sammy Hall OB only winners on the night which was enough to give Old Bleach the overall win and four points.

The team then travelled to Ballywalter last Saturday and after a hard fought game came home with 6 crucial points.

The rinks skipped by Michael Nutt, Neil Booth and James Talbot were all winners with Sammy Hall and his rink being the only one down but after their performance in the match with Pickie a few days earlier this rink could not be faulted.

So a great week for the neilsbrook men who hope now to keep the winning momentum going in league and cup matches with the senior team hosting Pickie in that PGL cup quarter final on Thursday night while the juniors take on Ewarts at their Belfast based home in a rearranged league match on Saturday.

Then next Tuesday night its league action again with the seniors hosting the unbeaten and present league toppers Belmont with the junior team travelling to East Belfast to take on Belmont junior team.

Photographes Courtesy of John McIlwaine (Antrim Times)

TOP: Ewart Evans MIDDLE: Matt O Neill BOTTOM: Martin Robb

OLD BLEACH KEEP SEASON ALIVE AS THEY MOVE INTO LAST EIGHT OF PGL SENIOR CUP

Old Bleach Senior team kept their season alive as they progressed into the last eight of the pgl senior cup with a 22 shot win over Ulster Transport at Jordanstown.

It was sweet revenge for the Randlestown men after falling to a league defeat at the same venue just over a fortnight ago. A defeat for Old Bleach would have more or less ended their season with only a top half finish in the league all they would have had left to play for but the team showed they were up for the cup with one of their best team performances of the season.

It's been a frustrating season for OB this season so far with bowlers either battling ill health or injury but one plus point came the way of the club last Thursday night with the return of Ronnie Talbot to the senior ranks after a heart operation and he showed just how much he was missed with a top class performance in the Old Bleach rink skipped by Michael Nutt.

The game started with the wet suits on once again with many not hopeful of the game being finished but the good playing surface at Jordanstown held up very well all credit must be given to green keeper Rodney Fiddis who this season has once again produced one of the best greens in Ireland with his hard work and dedication.

It was the hosts that made the better start to the game leading by 9 shots overall at the five end stage. This was largely dew to the UT rinks skipped by Stephen McKinley and Chris McCall who led Neil Booth and Sammy Hall 8-0 and 10-2 respectively.

The other two Old Bleach rinks were going well with Bryan Magrath 7-0 up on DJ Dilworth and Michael Nutt even after losing a 7 shot count on the 4th end drawing 8-8 with Irish international colleague Brendan Thompson.

After a short rain break the Old Bleach fightback started especially on the rink skipped by Hall who now led McCall 14-11 scoring 12 shots to 1 over the five ends. Magrath and his rink were showing top class form with all four playing to the top of their games and only for the fact that Transport skip Dilworth had saved alot of shots early on this rink would have been leading far more than the 16-4 scoreline at the 10 end stage. The other two rinks were behind with Nutt down by one (15-16) against Thompson and Booth still trailing McKinley 5-12.

At the three quarter stage of the game Old Bleach had increased their overall lead to 22 shots Hall and his rink of William Fullerton, Billy Patton and Tommy Rainey were now firing on all cylinders leading 25-12 over McCall, Magrath and his rink of Robert Mark, Freddie Anderson and Nigel McNally were still flying now leading 24-5 over Dilworth with Booth and Nutt still slightly behind 13-15 and 19-22.

Over the last five ends it was just a matter of keeping it going and that Old Bleach did winning by the same 22 shots they had led by five ends earlier. Magrath ran deservedly 29-7 winners, Hall finished 28-14 with both Booth in the closet game on the green just finishing 2 down at 18-20 with Nutt and his rink finding going tough over the last five ends against probably the strongest Ulster Transport rink on the green losing in the end 20-32.

But all in all a great team performance with all 16 players deserving credit in producing the teams best performance of the season on one of the worst nights weather wise of the season so far. The senior teams reward for their efforts is a home game against Pickie in the last eight with a dress rehearsal for that match being tonight (Tuesday) when they play the Bangor based team at home in a PGL Senior Division One League. The Junior team are also in action tonight as they travel down the M2 to North Down for a match with Pickie's Junior Team.

Then on Saturday the Seniors travel to the Ards Pennisula to play Ballywalter while the juniors play host to Comber.

It has also been a great week for the Old Bleach club after Michael Nutt, James Talbot, Neil Booth and Sammy Hall have been picked once again to represent Ireland in the home international series at Sighthill, Scotland in a fortnights time. Well done lads and good luck for the series.

OLD BLEACH JUNIORS GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS

After a week to forget for Old Bleach Junior team as they bowed out of both the Irish and PGL Junior cups followed by a league defeat away to rivals Ballymena the boys from Randlestown got back to winning ways as they hosted Willowfield last saturday earning 6 points after a hard fought 12 shot win.

The win will be a real confidence boaster to a side badly depleted this season with many of their Irish Junior Cup winning side from 2010 out through injury or ill health.

The game started in bright sunshine with the wet gear finally being given a rest and it was the Old Bleach men that held a slender three shot lead after five ends with both teams not giving much away in the early stages.

Arnie Campbell and his rink of Ewart Evans, Matt O'Neill and John Millar started brightly leading 5-2 over William Thompson, Seamus Gilmore, Jimmy McCullough, Colin Patton and John O'Kane led 5-4 against John McKelvey with Martin Robb skipping his quartet of Andrew Booth, Sean Vallalay and George Barnes also to an early 5-4 lead over John Graham after five ends.

The other Old Bleach rink of Jim Richardson, Terry Watson, Andy Matchett and Eddie Evans was just behind losing 3-5 to Willowfield rink skipped by Michael Murtagh.

At the 10 ends stage it was still a very close game overall with OB now only up on two rinks but increasing their overall lead to 8 shots. Robb now trailed Graham 7-9, Evans and his rink were still one shot down at 7-8 against Murtagh. Campbell had increased his lead to 10-3 over Thompson while O'Kane led 10-8 over McKelvey.

Over the next five ends though Old Bleach really took the game by the horns leading on all four rinks at the 15 end stage. Evans and his rink were now in front 13-10, Robb led 14-10, O'Kane 17-10 and Campbell 13-8.

So over the final five ends all the home side had to do was hold their composure to earn the confidence boosting win they badly craved and that they did coming home 12 shot winners overall.

Evans and his rink who were all in top form all afternoon with all playing their part and working well as a team to earn a hard fought point after an 18-16 shot win over a very strong Willowfield rink skipped by the vastly experienced Michael Murtagh.

Campbell and his rink led from start to finish against Thompson coming home in the end 19-14 winners with the OB's other winning rink coming from the one skipped by O'Kane as they romped home in the end 24-13 winners over McKelvey.

Robb and his rink found the going tough over the last five ends as they lost 10 shots without reply to finish 14-20 losers.

All in all though it was a good team performance and a win badly needed for a team now hoping to salvage some pride back into the camp with a top four league finish after a highly successful 2010.

Dew to the Senior Inter Association Team series at City Of Derry last weekend Old Bleach Senior team had no match as five of the team namely Michael Nutt, Sammy Hall, James Talbot, Neil Booth and Mark Tait all representing the Private Greens League team. What a weekend it turned out to be for the Old Bleach lads and the PGL as a whole as the won the team series for the first time in three years.

All five played their part and will now be looking closely at the press in the coming days as the Irish International selectors sit down to pick their team for the International team series in July.

This week sees plenty of action for the Old Bleach players with many still involved in the PGL championships with the senior team also in action in the PGL senior cup on Thursday night when they travel to Jordanstown for the second time this season to take on Ulster Transport. It will be a revenge mission for the team after they fell to a one shot league defeat on their first trip this season.

FIVE POINTER GETS OLD BLEACH BACK ON TRACK

After falling to a shock league defeat at home to Larne last week the players of Old Bleach senior team were hoping to bounce back quickly in there away fixture at Belmont Park on saturday and after a hard fought game played in some wild weather conditions the OB boys did just that by coming home with five points.

The selectors made a few changes to the rinks to try and find a blend after the larne defeat with both Willy Fullerton and Nigel McAleese moving unto the rink skipped by Michael Nutt and both Freddie Anderson and Darryl Green were recalled at second and lead respectively in the rinks skipped by James Talbot and Sammy Hall in place of the rested Billy Scott and Tommy Surgeoner.

After being graced with some great weather for the opening two weeks of the 2011 season it was time to dust off the wet gear for the first time this season as the rain returned but it did not hinder either team from producing a great game.

It was Old Bleach that made the better start to the game with both the rinks skipped by Michael Nutt and James Talbot making flying starts leading 10-0 and 18-0 respectively over the Belmont Park rinks skipped by J.Tozier and N.Clements at the five end stage of the game. It was nip and tuck on the other two rinks as both the rinks skipped by Neil Booth and Sammy Hall found themselves in tight games with Neil drawing 4-4 with A.Sloan's four and Sammy up 3-2 against the home rink skipped by B.Higgins.

At 10 ends it was Old Bleach still setting the pace with Talbot and his rink of Robert Mark, Freddie Anderson and Tommy Rainey in devastating form now leading 25-2 against Clements. Tozier and his rink had closed the gap on the OB rink of Willy Fullerton, Nigel McAleese, Brian Trimble and Michael Nutt with the visitors now only leading 13-8 with the other Old Bleach rinks of Darryl Green, Billy Patton, Bryan Magrath, Sammy Hall and Mark Tait, Iain Harrison, Nigel McNally and Neil Booth now trailing 7-9 and 6-10.

Over the next five ends Old Bleach on the rinks skipped by Talbot and Nutt had kept the pressure on with Michael now leading 23-9 and Talbot up 28-5. The other two rinks though were still finding it tough with Booth now down 10-15 and Hall 7-18.

The last six ends of the game there was no change on the way the points in the game was going with Old Bleach finishing with Five and Belmont Park Two.

The two changes on the Nutt rink who was heavly beaten seven days previous certainly made a difference as the big Irish International bounced back in style to guide his rink to a 33-13 win and Talbot kept his unbeaten start to the season alive with another great win for the second week running winning 31-8.

Hall and his four was the teams most consistent last season so i guess they can be forgiven on this occasion on a fate that dosen't happen to often as they went down 8-25 with Booth and his rink also losers by a 15-21 scoreline.

The Old Bleach junior team were penciled in to open the defence of their Irish Junior Cup on Saturday but opponents Shorts could not field a team which resulted in the match being cancelled and the juniors being handed a bye into round two were they will host Newry. In the Senior Cup Old Bleach were drawn away to former winners Bangor in match of the day in round two.

This week fixtures for both teams see the Juniors take on Belmont Park in Junior Division One (Tonight) Tuesday with both teams also in league action on saturday with both teams playing Ulster Transport the seniors away and the juniors at home.

There will also be plenty of action in the PGL championships with many Old Bleach players in action in both the Pairs and Rinks Competations this week.

HARRY ROBB

Old Bleach Bowling Club lost another great servant last sunday with the death of Harry Robb. Harry rated by many as one of the games best leads found great success in his many years with the club. He will be a big loss to the club and will be sadly missed by all his friends not only around the Old Bleach club but also around the whole of Ireland. Deepest sympathy to his cousin Martin and the rest of the Robb family circle.

PATTON WINS SERVICES TO SPORT AWARD

Long serving Old Bleach member Billy Patton was honoured at the Antrim Borough Council Sports Awards after being reconised for his services to the sport of bowls being after being annouced the winner of the Services To Sport Award at the gala evening held at the Dunadry Hotel organised by the Antrim Sports Advisory Association.

Billy who has been a member of Old Bleach for over four decades has served the club in every office possible even spending over 20 years as the clubs greenkeeper has also been a great servant to the Private Greens League and the Irish Bowling Association in his 40 years in the game.

Today billy is still actively involved with both the PGL and Irish Bowling Association as a selector to the Inter association and International sides at both Under 25 and senior level. Billy also still plays an active part on the green playing on the old bleach senior team.

No-one deserves this honour and award more. So well done Billy.

TAIT NEW OLD BLEACH SECRETARY

Former Club President and Treasurer Mark Tait is the new Secretary of Old Bleach taking over the reigns after the recent sad passing of long serving secretary Tommy McIlvenna. We will wish Mark well in his new office.