2026 review

The 2026 season is now complete, and it’s been a good one for many of our teams, as documented in the Bromsgrove Standard.

Short mat bowling at St Chads' Church

Short mat bowling ran on Monday nights from October 2025 through to March 2025, continuing into the second year of our new league format. 19 bowlers took part this year, with Roy Watton winning the averages at the end of the season. Jerome Turner and Stephen Gill won the new pairs competition shield, which was played in memory and dedicated to member Caroline Castling-Biggs, who we very sadly lost last year. We also had a great Christmas do, playing old favourites, the cups game and win the pudding. Short mat continues in 2026 through to the new crown season in March. Once again, we thank Peter Turner and Worcestershire County Council for the financial support. 

The green and surrounds

This year the hot weather attacked us again, but we were determined not to let it dry out and kill the green - the solution was the watering tractor, which we had used in past years. We had a fair amount of rain in the last few weeks of the season, which meant the green actually stayed green, where other clubs had more trouble with this, and we were in a great position going into the winter work period. Thanks to greenkeepers Keith and Ian, and the numerous volunteers who helped with watering, spiking, swishing, and the numerous jobs at the clubhouse and surrounds. The green was selected for various cup matches, including the final of the Northfield league’s Sid Stephens Rose Bowl. 

Inhouse competitions

As ever, we ran various inhouse competitions. Winners were:

• PETER BOURNE DOUBLES - Winners: Ian Lawson / Andy Baylis. Runners-up: Roy Watton / Jan Canny

• ROUND ROBIN TOURNAMENT - Winner: Keith Moore. Runner-up: Ellen Aindow 

• CLUB DOUBLES. Winners: Ellen Aindow / Ian Lawson. Runners-up: Keith Moore / Trevor Brant

• TRIPLE J TOURNAMENT. Winners: Andy Aindow / Mike Dodsworth / John Penn. Runners-up: Ellen Aindow / Jerome Turner / Alan King

• CHARLIE HIGH MEMORIAL ROUND ROBIN TOURNAMENT - Winner: Chris Broom

• CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP -  Winner: Mark BlackburnRunner-up: Simon Roderick 

• CONSOLATION CUP TOURNAMENT - Winner: Roy Phillips. Runner-up: Keith Pemberton

Ladies success

The Dudley league ladies team achieved third place in Division 1 this year, and also reached the final of the Ladies Handicap Cup but were beaten by a strong West Bromwich Football Supporters side. Ellen Aindow, Charlotte Blackburn, Amy Dandy and Wendy Cowling also bowled for Dudley Ladies in their county matches. 

Development 

We welcomed eleven new members to RSJC this year, three of them being experienced bowlers and slotting straight into league teams. The usual introductory sessions and coaching were provided, meaning that more of them wil be ready for league bowling next year if they’re interested. In the meantime, they were able to enjoy the usual Monday and Friday night rollup sessions, developing their game in a friendly, social atmosphere, as well as taking part in our in-house competitions (see above). Notably, our youngest member this year, Isaac, played in the Dudley & District One Adult & One Junior Pairs competition and was commended with the Best Attitude award. 

External competitions

This year, Charlotte Blackburn and, new addition to the RSJC roster, Linda Hough qualified for the Ladies Singles final. Jerome Turner entered the Heart of England Merit, Ian Lawson and Styeve Flood entered the Northfield Doubles Merit, and we had five entires in the Northfield Singles Merit, accounting for over a quarter of the entries - Jerome Turner, Andy Baylis, Linda Hough, Nigel Phillips and Ian Lawson. Great to see so many RSJC members turning out for these, and we’ll be encouraging more of this next season. 

League results - Weekday Teams

Once again, we fielded 15 teams this year.

After promotion last year, our Tuesday over 60s South West Birmingham A team felt the heat of the new Division 3, and may be bouncing down again in 2027 - watch this space. However, our B team won Division 6 and are likely to be promoted as a result. Our two Wednesday Dudleys League over 55s teams also did well, to finish in fifth and seventh place of Division 6. We also had two daytime teams in the over60s section of the Heart of England league, this year ending mid table in Division 4 and holding on to their new Division 5.

Our Wednesday evening Yardley Wood Superleague teams continued to thrive: with the A team holding on mid table to their new Division 1, whilst the B team took a similar position in Division 3. 

The Thursday A and B teams in the Heart of England league both did well. The former have hopefully done enough to push back up to last year’s Division 2 position, while the B team secured fourth place out of eight teams (after coming bottom last year). 

League results - Weekend Teams 

Saturdays this year saw two teams in the Warwick and Worcester afternoon league. The A team held on to their place in Division 5, while the B team remained in Division 7. 

Sundays saw our Northfield league A team earn promotion back up to Division 2, while the B team took tenth place. 

Well bowled all in 2026, and thanks to everyone who pitched in to make RSJC the great club it is. Card markers, measurers, supporters, greenkeepers, volunteers, gardeners, committee members - you are all appreciated!