This is ran every year in memory of our treasurer Lynn Pritchatt’s father George.
2023
Thank you to our treasurer Lynn Pritchatt for providing the below report.
The George Pritchatt Memorial Ladies Classic 2023
Proudly sponsored by NJ Installations, Verite CM Ltd and Lynn Pritchatt
Proudly hosted by Willenhall Nordley BC
**Tournament Report**
Sunday 11th June saw the 27th staging of our Ladies Classic. The event was named after my ever-loyal Dad George in 2009. Dad was a tremendous supporter of Crown Green Bowls and particularly of ladies’ bowls. Many of the ladies who have competed in this year’s event will remember Dad fondly, for both my parents always accompanied me on my travels across the competition circuit. We never seem to fail to amass a superb line-up of 32 class female players and this year was no exception. 2023 has seen some ladies make their debut in the tournament, including North Midlands Wendy Smart, Shropshire’s Shavorne Osborne and Sally King, Welsh wonder Jane Bowler and Mother and Daughter duo Jackie and Jodie Rutter. Special mention must also go to Michelle Meadowcroft who stepped in to take the number 32 spot after a late withdrawal on the morning of the event.
The top half of the draw was strong with three former champions in the shape of Shannon Kernick, Sue Pugh and Kaye Coulthard. Reigning champion Shannon faced an opening tie against the experienced competition player Alyson Evans. The match was a closely fought battle level at 8-8 and 11-11. At 16-14 to Shannon the game continued to be close. Shannon proceeded to win the next three ends with two doubles and a single to run out victorious with a 21-14 win. Shannon’s second round opponent was Staffordshire’s prolific Samantha Murray. Sam had come out of an epic battle in her first round 21-20 against fellow county colleague Jordan Picken. It was Shannon who raced out of the starting blocks into a 9-0 lead. Some top quality play up an edge saw Shannon march to a 21-5 win and into the quarter final. Shannon’s quarter final opponent was 2018 champion Melanie Saville-Fearn (Sheffield). Three consecutive doubles saw Shannon head off into a 6-0 lead. However, Melanie soon levelled the match 6-6 with four consecutive winning ends. Shannon broke away to a 13-6 and 18-12 lead, eventually continuing her winning ways with a 21-12 win. In her semi-final, Shannon was faced with fellow county colleague and seasoned competition player Anne O’Loughlin. Anne had been in good form on the green with 21-7, 21-15 and 21-17 victories against Sue Pugh, Heather Rowe and Kaye Coulthard respectively. As in her previous matches, Shannon flew out into a 9-2 lead. At 14-3 Shannon was well in control of her semi-final match. However, Anne found a mark on the tricky Willenhall Nordley green that broke up Shannon’s length and took the next seven ends with five doubles and two singles to level the match 14-14. The match continued to be an end for end tussle, once again levelling at 17-17. Leading out at 17-17 Anne gave Shannon a little too much room and a double and two singles saw Shannon earn herself a 21-18 win and a place in her second consecutive final.
The bottom half of the draw contained a good mix of former champions in the shape of Kerry Brown and Nicola Dolby, debutantes Jackie and Jodie Rutter, former BCGLBA Individual Merit Champion Maggie Pailing and ‘on the morning’ entrant Michelle Meadowcroft. It was the experienced Maggie Pailing who steadily made her way through the draw to earn herself a final place for the first time. In her opening match, Maggie beat Sally Evans 21-16. Maggie’s second round match was a tough one. After a close encounter all through, Maggie found herself trailing 17-19 against Kellie-Louise Boyd. Maggie’s fighting spirit showed with her running out to earn herself a 21-19 win. Maggie’s quarter final opponent was newcomer to the tournament Jackie Rutter (Shropshire). Jackie had previously knocked out North Midlands Sonia Robson 21-13 and Staffordshire’s Julie Alderman 21-14. Maggie was getting used to these close encounters with her quarter final level at 7-7, 10-10 and 13-13. A burst of three doubles and two singles saw Maggie earn herself her first semi final spot with a 21-14 victory. In her semi final Maggie was faced with arguably her toughest opponent of the day so far in the shape of 2005 and 2008 champion Nicola Dolby. The match was close at 10-10 with both players in good form. It was Maggie who broke away to take a 14-10 and 19-11 lead. Despite a rally by Nicola to close the gap at 15-19 it was Maggie who earned herself a 21-15 victory and a place in her first final in this tournament.
So, the stage was set. Reigning champion Shannon Kernick, out to equal the records of Jane Bush (North Midlands) and Anne Roberts (Lancaster) to win the tournament two consecutive years running against the highly experienced member of the W&W bowling family, the McGuinness’s, Maggie Pailing. The final was close at 6-6. It was Shannon to break away into a 14-6 lead with some superb leading, saving her best game to the final in my opinion. Shannon was relentless in her form and on this occasion over-powered Maggie to earn herself a 21-9 victory and become only the third player to win the tournament two years on the bounce. Shannon earned herself the £300 first prize and takes home the Lynn Pritchatt trophy for 12 months.
Events like yesterday cannot be staged without the support of key people. A big thank you to tournament sponsors NJ Installations and Verité CM Ltd for the continued support shown. It was great to have Nick Wyer present and be part of the presentation party. I am delighted to confirm NJ Installations have confirmed their continued sponsorship for 2024. Thank you for your loyal support. Our hosts Willenhall Nordley BC were amazing in their support for the day both in the build up to the event and on the day itself. My thanks go to Steve Bodley, Kevin Hocknull, Mark Picknell, Mark Jones, Mark Clayton, Anthony Bracken and Paul Cooper who worked hard measuring and marking cards. They were kept very busy throughout the day!!It is always important to me that players and spectators alike are made to feel welcome. Hospitality is a very important part of the day and I extend heartfelt thanks to Sandra Simpson, Joy Picknell, Margaret Picknell and Mark Evans who worked extremely hard in the kitchen, particularly in the heat of the day. I am sure all present would agree the day ran smoothly, with the green fully occupied at all times. This is made possible with the support of Referees Evelyn Hastings and Elaine Cosgrave. Both worked very hard, again in the heat of the day and I thank you both for your loyal support. Last but not least a big thank you to Kerry Brown and Donna Wainwright for managing the raffle. We had some fabulous donations and I hope the lucky winners enjoy their prizes.
On behalf of myself and my Mom Irene, many congratulations to our 2023 champion Shannon Kernick and our gallant runner-up Maggie Pailing. For Maggie to have progressed to the final at this moment in time is quite remarkable and shows her resilience. I am proud of you my friend. To our 2023 champion Shannon. You have such a fabulous talent and I am sure part of you would like to pick up the Willenhall Nordley green and take it home, such is your exceptional record on the green. It is not lost on me that you remind me so much of a young Lynn at your age. Your energy, commitment and hard work is to be applauded and admired. A fine ambassador and role model for young female players.
It is an honour and a privilege to run this very special competition in honour of my Dad George. It was Dad who first got me onto a bowling green some 46 years ago and introduce me to a sport that has given me so much over a long playing career. I can never repay him for giving me the platform to achieve success way beyond my hopes and dreams. What I can do is ensure his name and his legacy continues to shine brightly and I will continue to do that to the very best of my ability. The tournament returns on Sunday 9th June 2024.
