The Final Bias – Race Week 2025 Closes the Book
- leemcgarvie
- Jul 1
- 5 min read
🎉 Race Week 2025 – Thursday to Finale Recap 🎉
Thursday Singles Entries were up from last year – even with 2024’s winner forced to withdraw due to injury. All eyes were on the draw, and it didn’t disappoint.
Newcomer Ste Briggs took down Courtfield’s Paul Campbell in Round 1.
A highly anticipated tie between 2022 champ Daniel Pool and Anthony Booth-Young (ABY) sadly fizzled out, with Daniel retiring early.
Several all-Courtfield matchups saw Jaffa, John B and Mr Chris progress.
One of the standout ties was Ste B vs Kev. At 15-15, Ste lay four, looking to advance, until Kev threaded a miraculous final bowl to steal one and win. 🎯
Jaffa, riding high from a strong win over “Hong Kong,” saw off Mark Nanson, while Mr Chris cruised past G. Coates. ABY beat Chris Rogerson of Dalston to meet John Brown in the quarters.
Quarter-finals Highlights:
Father vs son: Jack Lockhart edged past David.
ABY defeated John Brown to set up an all-Lancashire semi.
Mr Chris overcame Jaffa in a tight battle.
Kev beat A Rogan to ensure a Courtfield presence in the final.
Semi-finals:
ABY dominated Jack to reach the final.
Mr Chris vs Kev went the distance, finishing under the lights at 9pm – Mr Chris the winner.
Friday Triples Chaos & Glory With a team withdrawing and only 20 mins to go, the organisers worked wonders to keep things going with only a 5-minute delay (though not without a few grumbles!). ☔ Rain made things tougher but spirits stayed high.
🏆 Winners: Alan, Aileen & Paul (Marchmount)
🥈 Runners-up: Jean, Ste B & Jaffa
🥉 3rd: David Lee’s trio
4️⃣ David Wallace’s Silloth trio
5️⃣ Courtfield’s "Lost Phone Crew" – Evelyn, Dawesy (yes, the same Dawesy who found his photo online then lost his phone on the bus!) & co.
The Final – ABY vs Mr ChrisStarted early, ABY raced ahead but Mr Chris fought back to trail by four. The final bowl of the tournament will live long in the memory – Mr Chris held shot before ABY ran the jack into the ditch with a brilliant forehand runner. Game over. Applause all round 👏
Race Week Reflection Despite the weather, entries were up in every event except Monday Triples.💰 Over £1500 paid out in prize money. Big thanks to:
The amazing kitchen ladies
Our bar staff and volunteers
Organisers
Sponsors: Stan Palmer (Honda), Robbie Short Plastering, and members Dave G, Lee, Dusty, Jaffa & Ste B for kind donations.
After decades of delivering drama, laughter, rain, glory, and unforgettable moments, Race Week 2025 has drawn to a close – and sadly, it will be the last one ever.
From its beginnings in 1964, Race Week became more than just a bowls tournament – it was a tradition, a reunion, and a celebration of the game we love. But all good things must come to an end.
This year reminded us why it’s been so special – the full rinks, the close finishes, the late-night finals, and the rain-soaked laughs. But with changing times, fewer volunteers, and a packed calendar, the decision was made to call time on this cherished event.
It’s a bittersweet moment. We’ll miss the buzz, the banter, and the bowls. But what memories we take with us.
Thank you to every player, supporter, sponsor, and volunteer who made it what it was. Race Week might be over – but the stories will live on.
Carliol League – Race Week Opens the Door
With Courtfield sitting out due to Race Week, the chasing pack took their chance to close the gap at the top:
Subscription A travelled to Wetheral and came away with a big 8-2 win, cutting Courtfield’s lead to just 4 points.
Dalston boosted their own hopes with a 7-3 win at Kirkbride.
Magpie dominated Stanwix, taking it 8-2.
Subscription B edged out West End 6-4.
The table tightens as we head into the business end of the season. Courtfield still lead, but the pressure is building...
Carliol League Over 55s – Quiet Week, No Major Shifts
With only three matches played, there were no significant gains in the standings this week:
Stanwix picked up a solid 8–2 win over Brampton
Magpie continued their good form with an 8–2 victory at Dalston
West End and Subscription B shared the same result as previous night 6-4
Plenty still to play for as the league heads into its final stretch.
Monday Stan Bragg League Courtfield travelled to leaders Linton. A tricky green at first, but experience told:
Dave, Ste B & Jaffa dominated 23–8
Ste G, Dai & George G controlled from end six to win 21–13
Mr Chris, Ian B & Dawesy came from behind to win 15–8 and seal all 8 points!
With games in hand, Courtfield are right in the mix. 🔥
💪 Ladies vs Stanwix Top club, Courtfield’s ladies won their rinks but just lost out overall in the pairs and triples.
The ladies face Solway in the league to boost them up the table
🥇 Senior Fours – Courtfield in the Semis Mr Chris, Paul, Carsy & John beat Maryport’s A Hermseston 17–7.📅 Next up: Semi-final vs S Byres on Sunday 13th July
🎯 Men’s County Pairs – Last 16 Match of the round: Simon McFayden (Wigton Park) vs John Baird (Subscription) – 14–14 after 18 ends, Simon nailed a front toucher on the extra end to advance.
📍 Quarter-finals: Monday 7th July at Caldbeck BC
Fixtures:
M Holding vs I Williams
D Forster vs P Irving
J Fletcher vs K Harrison
S McFayden vs S Cook
🗓️ Good luck to all Courtfield bowlers this week – let’s keep the momentum going!#RaceWeek2025 #CourtfieldPride #BowlsRoundup #CommunitySport
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