Report Blackpool 2008 

The annual Police Sport UK Flat Green Bowls match v British Fire Service was contested at Blackpool IBC Larkhill Street Blackpool on Wednesday 16^th January 2008. 

Chris Raddy a director of Blackpool Borough Indoor Bowls club handed over the green to Police Sport UK Bowls secretary John Hay. John thanked Chris for the welcome and the facilities that had been made available.

All parties then observed a minute silence in memory of the 4 Fire Service officers from Warwickshire who had tragically lost their lives in 2007 and also Brian Gregory who had recently passed away.

Prior to the commencement of the match several photographs were taken courtesy of Neil Braithwaite Police Sport UK secretary and to whom we were grateful for the support on the day.

The Police team was represented by officers from forces across UK namely Dumfries & Galloway, Durham, Fife, Gloucestershire, Gtr Manchester, Lothian & Borders, Merseyside, Metropolitan, Northumbria, Nottinghamshire, PSNI, South Yorkshire, Strathclyde, Tayside and Thames Valley.

Kevin Fitzgerald managed the Police team; John Wardrop Strathclyde captained the Police service.

Rab Donaldson managed the Fire Service team; Tony Evans was the Captain on the day for the Fire Service.

The police provided a newly purchased trophy suitably engraved and which was the much sought after prize by both Captains. The match ending in a draw last season meant both teams were looking for victory. The match was once again fiercely contested and resulted in a close finish with the Fire Service winning the match by 15 shots

The top rink glasses for the Police team went to the rink skipped by Ian Cronie winning by 8 shots. B. Milne skipped the Fire Service top rink that won by 17 shots.

After the match Blackpool Borough Indoor Bowls Club provided a welcome meal that was very much appreciated by all in attendance. Special thanks must go to Eric Davenport and the staff who worked very hard to provide the meal.

Following the meal both Captains who also exchanged gifts gave speeches on behalf of the teams.  The secretary John Hay presented a Captains’ glass to John Wardrop Police Captain who also handed over the trophy on behalf of the Police team to the winning Captain Tony Evans until 2009.

Individual rink scores and team details as follows:-