Bowls England National Championships (men's singles four wood) explained

The men's singles four wood is one of the events at the annual Bowls England National Championships.[1]

The four-wood singles is the traditional variation of the game; see Glossary of bowls terms.

History

The singles event was originally contested to win the Sir Thomas Brook Hitchen gold medal and then from 1913 and 1920 it was called the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup.

The 1908 final was started at the Upper Clapton greens but was suspended with Knight leading 14–7 following the death of the skip during the fours event. The final resumed at the Streatham Constitutional Club the following day.[2]

Venues

Sponsors

Past winners

YearCountyChampionClubCountyRunner-upClubScoreRef
1905Middlesex James Carruthers Muswell Hill Northumberland James Telford Newcastle, West End 21–1[3]
1906County Durham C. L. Cummings Sunderland Middlesex A. W. Taylor Finsbury Park 21–8[4]
1907Cumberland James Emmerson Edenside, Carlisle Leicestershire H. W. Gibson Leicester 21–12[5]
1908Surrey R. Knight Loughborough Junction Cumberland M. Turner Carlisle Subscription 21–9[6]
1909Northumberland James W. Dick Gosforth Berkshire Harry Childs Reading 21–10[7]
1910Northamptonshire Frank Shatford Conservative Kettering Somerset J. Dauncy Victoria Weston-super-Mare 21–10[8]
1911Cumberland John Postlethwaite Carlisle Courtfield Kent James Work Tunbridge Wells Grove 21–14[9]
1912Middlesex W. J. Jones Crouch Hill Cumberland G. E. Edmondson Holme Head, Carlisle 23–12[10]
1913County Durham Charles Gibb Sunderland Ashbrooke Middlesex James Carruthers Muswell Hill 21–9[11]
1914Surrey Douglas Irvine Watson Maldon Surrey W. Dean Balham 21–15[12]
1915–1918 No competition due to war
1919Kent Ernie Moore Bellingham Hampshire E. Dean Richmond Park, Bournemouth 21–16[13]
1920Kent A. E. Godsall Forest Hill Northumberland Willie Hamilton Summerhill, Newcastle 21–14[14]
1921Surrey A. F. Warner Belmont Sussex J. Harwood Preston, Brighton 21–3[15]
1922Northumberland Willie Hamilton Hexham Devon C. G. Roach Plymouth Hoe 21–16[16]
1923LeicestershireWilliam Wade Hinckley Buckinghamshire G. Sainsbury Wendover & Chiltern Hills 21–15[17]
1924Devon Frederick Hodge Torrington Hampshire Edward Redman Banister Park 21–18[18]
1925Devon Harold Webber Plymouth Somerset William Jennings Taunton Deane 21–15[19]
1926Devon Sir Francis Drake, Plymouth Kent Alfred Poingdestre Bromley 21–16[20]
1927Berkshire Tom Tickle Park Institute, Reading Hampshire Edward Redman Bannister Park 21–17[21]
1928Hampshire Southern Railway, Eastleigh Kent Bill Barlow Bellingham 21–14[22]
1929Kent Bromley Sussex Preston, Brighton 21–20[23]
1930Leicestershire William Wade Hinckley Devon Harold Webber Plymouth 21–10[24]
1931Isle of Wight Edwin Topp Ryde Gloucestershire Henry Duggan Gloucester 21–8[25]
1932Dorset Poole Park Somerset Ernie Fortune St George's, Bristol 21–14[26]
1933Middlesex Paddington Isle of Wight Percy Guy Shanklin 21–18[27]
1934Hampshire Archibald Cochrane Southampton County Durham Matthew Burdon Dunelm 21–7[28]
1935Yorkshire Billy Linton Smith's Docks Isle of Wight Jack Gallagher Cowes 21–15[29]
1936Buckinghamshire Dick Goodson Chesham Sussex Arthur Knowling Jr. Worthing 21–16[30]
1937Yorkshire William Prentice Redcar, Zetland Devon Harold Webber Torbay C. Club 21–14[31]
1938Hampshire Keith Cross Cosham Northumberland Harry Cook Tynemouth 21–15[32]
1939Northumberland Jack Laws Summerhill Oxfordshire Algernon Allen City & County Club, Oxford 21–8[33]
1940–1944 No competition due to war
1945Yorkshire Albert Allison 'Bert' Keech Bootham Gloucestershire Robbie Robison Henleaze 21–19
1946Dorset Poole Park Berkshire Ernest Newton Windsor & Eton 21–20[34]
1947Sussex Peter Mercer Worthing Northumberland Jimmy Thompson North Shields 21–14
1948Berkshire Ernie Newton Windsor & Eton Gloucestershire Ernie Fortune Bristol Greenbank 21–9
1949Oxfordshire Algernon Allen Oxford City & County MiddlesexArthur Collins West Ealing 21–8
1950Northumberland Jimmy Thompson North Shields, West End County Durham Lloyd Whitworth New Herrington 21–15
1951Hertfordshire Alfred Pikesley St. Albans Bedfordshire Stanley Jackson Luton Town 21–17
1952Dorset Percy BakerPoole Park Oxfordshire Algernon Allen Oxford City & County 21–20
1953Essex Richard Cramp Clay Hall Warwickshire Frank Watts Rugby 21–12
1954Northumberland John Griffiths Wallsend Borough Gloucestershire George Ham Stroud 21–14
1955Dorset Poole Park Yorkshire Jack Fletcher York Co-op 21–13
1956Berkshire Norman Butler Windsor & Eton Devon Charlie Webber Rock Park, Barnstaple 21–16
1957Middlesex Parliament Hill Hertfordshire Frank Smith Hatfield 21–4[35]
1958Hampshire Farnborough British Legion Isle of Wight Frank Crockford Bembridge 21–10[36]
1959Surrey Croydon Yorkshire Middlesbrough, Albert Park 21–11[37]
1960Somerset Clevedon Yorkshire Middlesbrough, Albert Park 21–11[38]
1961Hampshire Banister Park Lincolnshire Ernie Hopcroft Ruston Bucyrus 21–9[39]
1962Dorset Charles Mercer Lyme Regis Surrey Ernie Lake Old Coulsdon 21–20
1963Cumberland Charlie Graham Edenside, Carlisle Hertfordshire Harry Haynes Welwyn Garden City 21–20
1964Hampshire Banister ParkSussex Worthing 21–19[40]
1965Sussex Ralph Lewis Preston, Brighton Dorset Poole Park 21–16
1966Somerset Clevedon Northumberland Harry Kinnersley Morpeth 21–17
1967Worcestershire Droitwich, Vines Park Devon Freddie Horn Torquay 21–12[41]
1968Essex Norman Groves Witham Hampshire Walter PhillipsBoscombe Cliff 21–15[42]
1969Hampshire Jimmy Davidson Boscombe Cliff Dorset Jim BurnsGreenhill 21–10
1970Northumberland Harry Kershaw Heaton Victoria Somerset Sandy Sandall St. Andrews 21–12
1971Somerset David Bryant MBE Clevedon Cornwall John Blewett Penlee 21–18
1972Somerset David Bryant MBE Clevedon Yorkshire Middlesbrough Co-op 21–16[43]
1973Somerset David Bryant MBE Clevedon Buckinghamshire Ian Harvey Marlow 21–12
1974Worcestershire Droitwich, Vines Park Northumberland Tom Wilkinson Swan Hunter 21–10[44]
1975Somerset David Bryant MBE Clevedon Middlesex Robert Gibbins L.T.A.S.S.A. 22-15
1976Surrey Tony O'Connell Wimbledon Durnsford Lincolnshire Boston Sleaford Road 21–17[45]
1977Norfolk Cromer Buckinghamshire David Goldring Woburn Sands 21–9[46]
1978Somerset Taunton Somerset David Bryant MBE Clevedon 22-11[47]
1979Cornwall St. Austell Suffolk Chris Southgate Risbygate 21–14[48]
1980County Durham Tom Buller View Lane Park Dorset Lou Trim West Moors Memorial 21–18
1981Kent Blackheath & Greenwich SurreyWoking Park 21–20[49]
1982Norfolk Cromer Buckinghamshire Bret Long Slough 21–10[50]
1983Cumbria Wigton) Northumberland Kevin Bone Gosforth 21–13[51]
1984Surrey Mid Surrey Leicestershire John Kilyon Loughborough 21–15[52]
1985Devon Ron Keating Plymouth Civil Service Cumbria Ron Gass Wigton 21–8[53]
1986Surrey Mid Surrey Cumbria David Taylor British Rail 21–18[54]
1987Lancashire Bolton Gloucestershire Cheltenham 21–5[55]
1988Cornwall Richard Bray Stenalees Somerset Ian Middlemast Bath 21–12
1989Norfolk Wymondham Dell Isle of Wight Barry Croad Ventnor 25-13[56]
1990Gloucestershire Tony Allcock MBE Cheltenham Buckinghamshire Kirk Smith Denham 25-12
1991Gloucestershire Tony Allcock MBE Cheltenham Warwickshire David Hobbis Stratford upon Avon 21–3
1992Cumbria Wigton Yorkshire West Park, Hull 21–18[57]
1993Devon John Wickham Totnes Kent Gordon Charlton Folkestone Park 21–17
1994Nottinghamshire G.P.T. Derbyshire Paul Wilkinson Long Eaton Town 21–14[58]
1995County Durham John Leeman Craghead Gloucestershire Cheltenham 21–13
1996Norfolk Wymondham Dell County Durham Andrew Kirtland Hundens Park 21–18[59]
1997Warwickshire Richard Brittan Erdington Court Hertfordshire Martyn ColesGarston 21–17
1998Worcestershire Gilt Edge Oxfordshire Banbury Borough 21–20[60]
1999Huntingdonshire White Hart Warwickshire Graham Ashby Stoke, Coventry 21–20
2000Norfolk Wymondham Dell Buckinghamshire Andrew Wise Marlow 21–9[61]
2001Kent Gordon Charlton Sandwich Warwickshire Mark Clarke Kings Heath 21–18
2002Hampshire Southampton SC Hertfordshire Andrew Briden Herts BC 21–2[62]
2003Yorkshire Paul Allenby Riverview Yorkshire Nafferton 21–13
2004Yorkshire Nafferton Essex Joe Stamper Lionmede 21–17
2005Middlesex Simon Jee Parsons Green Nottinghamshire Nick Cammack Trent Vale 21–11[63]
2006Yorkshire Nafferton Gloucestershire Lee Williamson Barnwood 21–16
2007Essex Maldon Yorkshire Nafferton 21–10[64]
2008Devon Kings, Torquay Derbyshire Stute 21–8
2009Derbyshire Stute Surrey Steve Tuohy Egham 21–20
2010Essex Romford Sussex Hove & Kingsway 21–8
2011County Durham Silksworth Warwickshire Graham Ashby Rugby 21–15
2012HampshireAtherley Norfolk Norfolk BC 21–20
2013Worcestershire Worcester Suffolk Felixstowe & Suffolk 21–14
2014Gloucestershire Cheltenham Devon Kings, Torquay 21–18
2015CumbriaWhitehaven Yorkshire Vinnie O'Neill Middlesbrough 21–19
2016KentSandwich Worcestershire Worcester 21–13
2017Northamptonshire Northampton West EndNorthamptonshire Darren Childs Northampton West End 21–14
2018DevonKings Torquay Essex Maldon 21–16[65]
2019Essex Essex County Northamptonshire Northampton West End 21–14[66]
2020 No competition due to COVID-19 pandemic[67]
2021Devon Kings, Torquay County Durham Silksworth 21–12[68]
2022Essex Essex County Warwickshire Welford-on-Avon 21–17[69]
2023Kent Appleyard Leicestershire Darren Allsopp New Lount 21–10[70]
2024Devon Culm ValeKent Appleyard 21–11[71]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Past Records. Bowls England.
  2. News: Sudden Death on a Bowling Green . Belfast News-Letter . 21 July 1908 . subscription . 23 August 2023.
  3. News: The English Bowling Association Championships . Boxing World and Mirror of Life . 26 July 1905 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  4. News: English Bowling Association Championship . The Scotsman . 10 July 1906 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  5. News: English BA Championships . Gloucester Citizen . 9 July 1907 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  6. News: English Association Championship . The Scotsman . 22 July 1908 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  7. News: Bowls, English Association Championship . Morpeth Herald . 31 July 1909 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  8. News: The English Championships . Cork Examiner . 26 July 1910 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  9. News: Bowls Championships . Sporting Life . 18 July 1911 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  10. News: Championships . Daily News (London) . 31 July 1912 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  11. News: Bowls . Daily News (London) . 30 July 1913 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  12. News: English Championships . Sporting Life . 29 July 1914 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  13. News: The English Championships . Western Morning News . 31 July 1919 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  14. News: The Bowling Championships at Gordon Hill, Enfield . Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News . 7 August 1920 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  15. News: Bowls and Bowlers . Daily Herald . 30 July 1921 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  16. News: Bowls and Bowlers . Westminster Gazette . 16 August 1922 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  17. News: The new English Champion . Halifax Evening Courier . 15 August 1923 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 21 August 2024.
  18. News: English Championship, A Keen Final . The Scotsman . 20 August 1924 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 22 August 2023.
  19. News: English Championships . Western Daily Press . 19 August 1925 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 22 August 2023.
  20. News: Bowls Champion . Daily Herald . 18 August 1926 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 22 August 2023.
  21. News: Bowling, English Championships . The Scotsman . 17 August 1927 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 22 August 2023.
  22. News: Bowls Champion . Hampshire Advertiser . 18 August 1928 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 22 August 2023.
  23. News: The English Champion . Bromley & West Kent Mercury . 23 August 1929 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 22 August 2023.
  24. News: Truimph of Veteran Bowler . Leicester Daily Mercury . 13 August 1930 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 21 August 2024.
  25. News: National Bowls, Great struggle in rain for singles title . Daily News (London) . 11 August 1931 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 22 August 2023.
  26. News: Bowls Singles . Weekly Dispatch (London) . 14 August 1932 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  27. News: Close Bowls Final . Birmingham Daily Gazette . 21 August 1933 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  28. News: Bowling, Singles Title . Birmingham Daily Gazette . 20 August 1934 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 22 August 2023.
  29. News: National Bowls Title . Birmingham Weekly Mercury . 18 August 1935 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 21 August 2024.
  30. News: Goodson wins EBA Singles Championship . Weekly Dispatch (London) . 16 August 1936 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 22 August 2023.
  31. News: Bowls Singles Won by Prentice . Weekly Dispatch (London) . 15 August 1937 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  32. News: Cosham Bowls Champion . West Sussex Gazette . 18 August 1938 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 21 August 2024.
  33. News: Bowls Finals . Sunday Mirror . 20 August 1939 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 21 August 2024.
  34. News: E.B.A. Finalist . Bexhill-on-Sea Observer . 31 August 1946 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  35. News: Middlesex Bowls King . Daily Herald . 24 August 1957 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  36. News: Third-Try title . Daily Herald . 23 August 1958 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  37. News: Bowls . Birmingham Daily Post . 22 August 1959 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  38. News: Bowls . Daily Mirror . 20 August 1960 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 23 August 2023.
  39. News: Hampshire Man is Bowls Champion . Portsmouth Evening News . 26 August 1961 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  40. News: Ice-cool Line joins the bowls greats . Birmingham Daily Post . 22 August 1964 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  41. News: English title for Irish . Birmingham Daily Post . 26 August 1967 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  42. News: Third Time Lucky . Daily Mirror . 24 August 1968 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  43. News: Avenger Bryant Makes History . Daily Mirror . 26 August 1972 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  44. News: Wilkinson bowled over by Irish . Birmingham Daily Post . 24 August 1974 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  45. News: EBA singles title win . Worthing Gazette . 25 August 1976 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  46. News: Hufton is defeated . Nottingham Evening Post . 20 August 1977 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  47. News: Champ beaten . Coventry Evening Telegraph . 26 August 1978 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  48. News: Cutler's a sharp lad! . Daily Mirror . 25 August 1979 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  49. News: Andy's title with the last wood . Daily Mirror . 22 August 1981 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  50. News: Printer Chris bowls bonanza . Wolverhampton Express and Star . 21 August 1982 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  51. News: Bell's On . Daily Mirror . 20 August 1983 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  52. News: Sport Snaps, Bowling In . Daily Mirror . 25 August 1984 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  53. News: Allan, G. (1985) 'Bowls' . 24 Aug 1985 . The Times . 23 Aug 2023 . 26 . The Times Digital Archive. subscription .
  54. News: Bowls . Western Daily Press . 23 August 1986 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  55. News: Sports Digest . Bristol Evening Post . 22 August 1987 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  56. News: Ottaway is EBA champion . Ireland's Saturday Night . 26 August 1989 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  57. News: Super Steve . Manchester Evening News . 12 September 1992 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  58. News: Morley's title . Birmingham Daily Post . 10 September 1994 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  59. News: Bowls . South Wales Echo . 31 August 1996 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  60. News: Gilt-edged victory for Burgess . Birmingham Daily Post . 29 August 1998 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  61. News: Bowls . Worthing Herald . 7 September 2000 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 19 August 2024.
  62. Web site: Briden so close to glory . Newsshopper . 22 August 2023.
  63. Web site: Sports Round-up . The Telegraph . 23 August 2022.
  64. News: 'Bowls' (2007) . 25 Aug 2007 . The Times . 21 August 2024 . 85 . The Times Digital Archive. subscription .
  65. Web site: Latest News. Bowls England.
  66. Web site: Ed Morris Wins Bowls England Men’s Singles. Bowls International.
  67. Web site: Plans for 2020 in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak. Bowls England.
  68. Web site: Bowls England National Finals 2021. Bowls England. 22 August 2021.
  69. Web site: 2022 National Championships . Bowls England . 11 September 2022.
  70. Web site: 2023 National Championships Men's singles . Bowls England . 13 August 2023.
  71. Web site: 2024 National Championships Men's singles . Bowls England . 19 August 2024.