Club News
The Green Man
Today our Green team celebrated our Green Man, no not a pagan ritual or a road safety stunt.
Our Green man is Brendan who for three years has worked his magic not only to give the club a third team in the vets league but also managed to come runner up and win promotion to league 4.
In 2024 when there was no room for a 3rd team in the leagues, Brendan took on the task of forming a green team and arranging weekly matches on the traditional Tuesday. Now armed with an enthusiatic team and a vacancy in the leagues, the Green Team entered league 5 in 2025. Whilst competitive they did not win but knew they would only improve.
2026 was the break through year and as a token of their appreciation Brendan now has a new club shirt and we all hope he is going to volunteer for 2027!!
Well done you Greens!
Hitting all the right notes
Well what a Friday night that was.
We welcomed 2 Tone, an act we had heard a lot about and certainly one that did not disappoint in any way shape or form.
A sell out audience, witnessed a smorgas board of tunes and a wonderful rendition of an Oasis song. The guys oozed personality and their charisma won over the audience who clearly loved every minute.
Well done to Terry for organising the evening and all those helpers thanked on the night. Our mystery envelope was won by Chrissie pocketing some wine on the eve of her birthday.
Personally, I look forward to these guys coming to visit us again in the very near future and a massive thanks to all members and their guests who supported the club.
Off to a smasher
Well our winter program got off to a great start with our Tuesday evening Table Tennis.
Well done to our organisers Doug and John and great to see so many new faces joining in.
We look forward to more members returning to the table over the coming weeks.
These sessions, like all our weekly activities are for members of all abilities and are great fun.
Come and join in!
Putting the Green to bed
Sometimes you have to just help out!
Our season being over, there is nothing left but to put the green to bed and ensure it is in the best condition for the next season. Head of Greens, Steve was up early ensuring the initial work was done before the small army of club members turned up to assist.
Whether rolling cutting or making holes in the green there were members on hand. Others cleaned and washed the ditch mats, put away chairs and generally tidied up.
Then when there was seemingly too many people and not enough jobs, the maintenance team embanrked on a winter project of the replacing of the equipment shed and getting it ready so the base could also be renewed.
The last word is with Chairman Chris
'What a fantastic response today to the request for help in completing the work on putting the green to bed. Thanks to those who worked on the green and surrounds, bought in cakes, made teas and coffees. To see so many pitching in , including many of the newer members shows the club is flourishing and we look forward to 2027 and more success.'
Last game of the season
A lovely sunny day saw our last game of 2026 against our friends from Hazells BC at home.
The final game saw us win 99-88 with a Hot Shot from Terry, Chris and Keith to top off a successful season. Many thanks as ever to our volunteers, Rita. Doug, Captain Jon and JC for sorting food, the bar, setting up and closing up, not to mention those who rolled up their sleeves and cleared away.
Our friendly games are very much part of our clubs long tradition.
2026 results
Won 18
Lost 11
Cancelled 4
Abandoned 1
A big thankyou to our newer bowlers who got stuck in this season and we know thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Look forward to seeing everyone over our winter socials and back on the green in April.
End Of season Gala
Great weather and a very enjoyable afternoon of fun and competitive bowling.
Special thanks to Annie , Karen and Janice behind the bar for keeping us watered. Thanks to Pete kosmalski for helping to set up the rinks and swishing.
To John Heron on spider duty and well done for your big win on the board .
Thank you to everyone who set up the food and helped to clear up afterwards . Well done to Brendan sorting out the scores.
Winners
Rita Drew , Pete Kosmalski and Ken Delagua.
Blue skies must be Finals weekend!!
What a difference! After the downpours of 2025 we were sunny and dry, the green as ever was in amazing condition despite the hot summer and the club ready for a fantastic four days of competition.
Well, we were not let down, some amazing games and a completely different lineup to the finalists in nearly all competitions showing how everyone continues to improve and winning gets more difficult year on year no matter what category your in.
Congratulation's to all who reached finals and thanks from all those that watched for the entertainment you all provided. Saturday saw the biggest crowd of over 55 with people popping in and out on all days. The event was very well run by the club and its volunteer members. Competitors are listed below:
Day 1 - Friday 11th September
Ladies 2 Wood
Finalist - Janet Hart
Winner - Coral Maycock
Men's 2 Wood
Finalist - Steve Wilson
Winner - Malcolm Maycock
Ladies Novice
Finalist - Caroline Simons
Winner - Rita Daly
Mixed Pairs
Finalists - Sue Buckley and Doug Howard
Winner - Annie Rowe and Tony Hogg
Friday Night Aggregate
Finalists - Lee Messer, Rita Daly and John Carter
Winners - Tom Simons, Mark Gomme and Eddie Rochford
Day 2 Saturday 12th September
Mixed Aussie pairs
Finalists - Coral Maycock and Pat Pogson
Winner - Jenny Roberts and Steve Wilson
Men's pairs
Finalists - Doug Howard and Tony Hogg
Winner - Tyler Adams and Malcolm Maycock
Men's Novice
Finalist - Terry Lant
Winner - Pete Kosmalski
Ladies Clubman
Finalist - Caroline Simons
Winner - Rita Daly
Men's Clubman
Finalist - John Carter
Winner - Tom Simons
Ladies Over 60
Finalist - Annie Rowe
Winner - Lesley Wilson
Day 3 Sunday 13th September
Ladies Pairs
Finalists - Caroline Simons & Carol Eaton
Winners - Janice Cheshire Burke & Rita Daly
Championship Singles (7up)
Finalist - Steve Rose
Winner - Bill Marsh
Men's over 65
Finalist - Steve Wilson
Winner - Pete Kosmalski
Men's Aussie Pairs
Finalists - Shane Kirton & Richard Rowe
Winner - John Mitchell & Pat Pogson
Ladies Championship
Finalist - Rita Daly
Winner - Janice Cheshire Burke
Men's Championship
Finalist - Malcolm Maycock
Winner - Tony Hogg
Day 4 Monday 14th September
Burfot Trophy (Husband & Wife aka Divorce Cup)
Finalists - Carol Eaton and Barry Drake
Winners - Coral & Malcolm Maycock
Excellent Final
The finals weekend delivered some really wonderful bowls, which produced some exciting games.
However, this year I have selected to report the Men’s singles Championship Final between Tony Hogg and Malcolm Maycock who on previous encounters have produced some very close games with the honours being even.
However, on a beautiful sunny afternoon the players quickly settled into their customary consistent game but surprisingly Tony fell 6-2 down after only 7 ends.
At end 12 Tony picked up the only 3 of the encounter keeping him in touch. Malcolm was still leading after 18 ends 15-10 in spite of Tony playing some very accurate woods, but unfortunately he was unable to score.
The game continued to sway back and forth with the crowd making plenty of noise with their sighs, which echoed from the newly sheltered bank end as the players produced some pulsating and unbelievable woods to deny each other from holding.
Remarkably Tony scored an absolutely fantastic 4 at end 21 (which Malcolm applauded) and this changed things dramatically as there was now only 1 point separating them @ 16-15.
The game continued and was breathless at times but eventually ended after 27 impressive ends with Tony taking control and scoring three 2’s in the final five ends with Malcolm only mustering single shots on 24 and 26th end. The eventual score was 21 - 19 to Tony in a game that was equally contested throughout and was difficult to choose who was going to be the eventual winner because they were so evenly matched.
Well done Tony and commiserations to Malcolm you both performed magnificently and provided great entertainment.
Dacorum Shield Winners
The Dacorum Shield has been running since 1999 when first won by Potten End.
The annual competition includes all 7 bowls clubs in Dacorum and you play home and away in alternate years. So each year there are 6 games, 3 home and 3 away.
Potten End last won the shield in 2015 and came runners up in 2025, so it was rather pleasing to go one step further in 2026.
The attached photo shows only part of the 26 players who took place across the 6 games which just shows the strength and depth we are now building up as a club.
Many thanks again to the sponsors and we look forward to catching up with all the clubs in 2027.
Club Photo
The annual club photo has now been running 3 years and it was great to see so many turn up in 2026.
The club now has 135 members of which 97 are currently playing.
So this year we decided to get the photo taken between play on the Saturday of finals weekend between matches and before the traditional Fish and Chips luncheon.
Very pleased to say the play was excellent the photograph came our really well, thankyou to Mark for his time and effort. Thsi will now be framed and hang above the bar.
Fred Hawley - Well done Tyler
A lovely day and yet again so lucky with the weather.
A full house saw this annual internal tournament which is played at the end of the season.
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves on the rink that played really well and speeded up as the day went on, causing the usual issues when trying to sort out your weigh of bowl.
Well done to Tyler Adams who took the trophy with a score of 26., Gary Robinson came 2nd with 25 , Alan Gommewas 3rd with 24 and Annie Rowe was 4th with 24
on Shot difference.
The day was as ever a great successful , £24 goes to our kitty for the Hospice of St Francis and Michael Halliday
won the spider.
Zena Hawley and son Craig were present, Zena being made a honoray life member if 2025. Zena was presented with flowers and in turn presented Tyler with the trophy.
Helping hand
The team at PEBC continue to support the Hospice of St Francis as its charity of choice.
It was therefore extremely pleasing to yet again provide this great cause with a cheque for £1,200 collected at various events at the bowls club in 2025.
We are again collecting in 2026 and will endeavour to ensure we continue this vital support.
Thanks again to our corporate friends from Berkhamsted GC and Ashridge GC and all those who donated throughout the year.
If you would like to donate further throught the club please contact treasurer@pottenendbowlsclub.org for details
Full House
The annual Men's Triples Day saw a full house.
Chris the Chairman rallied and the club fully supported with a further 35 players.
So we had 12 teams of 3 seperated into two seperate sections of 6 namely Blue and Red.
Each team in each section then played with the winners of the Blue section then played the winners of the red in a 5 end final.
The final teams were
Eddie, Peter and Richard - V - Jon, Tony and Tyler.
Congratulations go to our Club Captain Jon, Tony and Tyler who swaggered away with the spoils.
Lot's of laughs, great banter and great to see so many not only support but get behind the finalist and fully support the event.
The season is rolling on nicely!
Mixed Fours Plate
A cooler day after a very hot start to the summer saw the first of our internal day long competitions.
A full house of 24 members, saw 6 teams battle it out for the trophy.
Our Captain Jon Mitchell presented the Mixed Fours Plate to the winning team (L - R) Chris Halls. Rita Drew, John Herron and Keith Martindale.
The team won 3, drew one and lost one, beating their nearest rivals with a more positive shot tally.
A great day was had by all and a big thank you to Chairman Chris for organising the event.
Our next events is the mens triples day on Sunday 2nd August with currently 12 teams of 3.
Winners
At Potten End Bowls Club we are all about getting stuck in.
We have no paid staff so the work on the greens, maintenance, bar, committees etc are undertaken by the membership.
Our aim is to make many small jobs so not to burden one individual and to make the members work together as a team. This is great for your health and also general wellbeiing.
Approximately 10 years ago our Green Team changed and the green required drastic action as it was going down hill. Step up our superstars Steve and Richard, Steve took on the cutting, rolling and machinery whilst Richard the care, nutrition and prevention measures with regard the grass.
Their care leadership and guidance has meant we have probably one of the best greens in Hertfordshire and so it was extremely pleasing that they received the award 'Volunteer of the Year' from Berkhamsted Sports Grounds Charitable Association.
These guys will be the first to admit they have put in a great deal of hard work to turn the situation round but have been supported by a cast of cutters, swishers and sprayers who continue to maintain our pride and joy.
Well done Team PEBC!!
Further information and pictures can be found at Sporting Excellence Awards 2025/26 - BSGCA