Focus On: Saintfield Bowling Club

Saintfield Bowling Club has experienced many highs and lows since its birth in 1953 and in recent years the club has really enjoyed some highs. From its Crossgar Road base the club plays two disciplines. Locals may be used to the sight of bowlers dressed in traditional whites playing the outdoor game between April and September. During the rest of the year the action takes place in the club house with the short mat team competing in the Quoile League.

In the last two seasons, the short mat team has finished third in the league, their best finish for a good few years and were beaten finalists and semi-finalists in the league cup during the same period. With a small, limited squad the recent achievements have not gone unnoticed and an invitation to play in the national Champion of Champions tournament in Belfast last November was a welcome surprise. The club gave a good account of themselves playing against some of the best teams in Northern Ireland. The 2018-19 season is now well underway and at the time of writing the team are on a run of 15 league games unbeaten and have again been invited to this year’s COC tournament.

The sport gives an opportunity for competition beyond Saintfield and on the national scene, Elsie Alexander and Joan Gamble have been winners of the final of the mid-down ladies’ pairs in 2016 and 2018. This achievement means they will play once again in the all-Ireland finals in Belfast during March 2019. A number of players represent the club on the men’s and ladies Mid Down Zone team playing against sides from across the province during the season.

The club still has great hopes of a member being selected to play for Ireland, following in the footsteps of Eileen Bell, Rita Steenson and Edmund Steele who achieved this honour. The club has recently added a junior section for which it hopes to grow membership up to a level to compete in national junior tournaments.

In April the outdoor teams begin play with the men fielding a team on Saturdays in Northern Ireland’s private greens league and two teams play on Mondays in the NI Veterans league. The ladies team play in the Women’s private green Thursday league and the East Down League on Tuesday evenings. While it’s a busy schedule there is plenty time for club competitions, with recreational play enjoyed most evenings.

In 1971 the men achieved their greatest honour lifting the PGL Senior cup and in 2017 as well as achieving promotion, the club reached the final of the Junior Cup, losing narrowly by six shots against Ards. The veteran’s number one team finished second in their section and the number two team lost narrowly in the final of the Stephenson Cup. The ladies team reached the semi-final of the PGL junior cup losing to eventual winners Ballywalter and finished a respectable sixth in the league.

The short mat team meet ae 7.30 pm on Monday evenings with members ages ranging from eight to 88. New members will be welcome!

The outdoor season starts again in April with the gates open for people to call in to give it a go. Bowls takes five minutes to learn and offers competition, friendship and health benefits for all ages. For more details look up our Facebook page or email saintfieldbc@outlook.com.