Bolton Winter League - 2026

Welcome to the Bolton Winter League website.

This year we are playing again on the green at Over Hulton Conservative Club and also Plodder Lane Conservative Club.

We play Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons from Tuesday, 22nd September at Over Hulton and Plodder Lane from Tuesday, 29th September until November weather permiting.

The organiser at Over Hulton is Gordon Butler and at Plodder Lane Ray Barnes 07519 188 752 who will be assisted by Phil Brightwell

General website management is conducted by Clive Fenn Any queries give me a call - Clive Fenn 07949 200 926.

Brian Anderson Over Hulton Report

Thursday 1st October

A day of surprises for some. A vindication that age is just a number as we witnessed a superb away win for Eric Tomlinson and Peter Collier, this was not enough to get Doe Hey over the line as the Hultoneers claimed a 3-2 win. The unbeaten Andy Johnson once again cleaned up while delivering another win partnering the very likeable Mick Risley (why is that ?) whilst Christine Thorpe alongside The Nug ground out a 15-14 to claim the match.

Clives Bunch gained their first win of the season versus the Old Hultonians, a devastating win for Alan Parker and Rick Sykes flattening their opponents; the final game with Pat Kitts and Clive Fenn getting the necessary chalks to seal the win. There is a rumour that a new Scottish player called Ben (Nevis) will join Clives team and will partner Pat, so we have a chance of a (St.) Kitts and Nevis team. (sorry for that, Kitts isn't easy). Having sleepless nights over Hadjinicolauo, thats a challenge !!

Moss Bank caused the days biggest shock, well and truly swatting the Wasps in a 4-1 win. The absence of Keith (3 jacks) Waddington, who chose to vacate to Ambleside didn't help. The pairing of Jack Smith and Kevan Grundy sealing the result with a massive win over John Mort and Eric Williams, the evergreen Kevan, Jack now showing what a brilliant bowler he is developing into.

in the days top match, Forrests Rangers did the business against Toms Lot running out to a 4-1 win to move 2 points clear at the top of the table. Ray Perry partnering Steve Openshaw produced the days coupon buster by smashing the top batters of Pendlebury and (not Fynon)Dandy. Ray Perry, the epitome of the British Tommy who will never give up and will fight till the end gained a superb 15-4 win, alongside Steve. Mike Bailey and John (the original) Wolfendale just getting over the line 15-14 to preserve their unbeaten start to the season against the previously unbeaten Wakefield and (Popeye) Doyle.

Tuesday 29th

On what was another superb day for the weather; by the next game we will already be in October. The green looked resplendant and many thanks to the team of Gary Yates, Steven Greenhalgh and Rob Morton. Not to be overlooked, the OH community Group Begonias proving that you cannot keep a beautiful flower down, despite the scorchio summer !!

There was some bowling also but I don't really want to talk about that, but I have too. We welcomed 4 more players to the proceedings; the rumoured new signing for the Old Hultonians proved accurate and Roy Mills entered the fray. He was playing controlled length and placing bowls a couple of foot in front of the block, knowing someone would tap them closer, and I must admit, I was pretty good at that, he started off with a good win. Roy has played brilliant bowls for many a year and I think Bolton should name one of the leagues after him. Mark Cafferky also joined in the fun, although it wasn't that much fun afterall. The Hultoneers also welcomed David Fiddler to the fray, David also won the best turned out award today, mostly for his exquisite shoes. However the bowling didn't follow suit and David and partner Stevie G were knocked off their perch by Graham Boardman and Jack Smith who played a pretty good game. I did resist saying David was Topol off the roof.

Our final new starter David Norris also drew a black against the resurgent pair of Ian Pendlebury and Phil (Fynon) Dandy, in fact, unless you had a set of working ears you would have hardly noticed Pendlebury was on the green. Elsewhere there were good wins for the Wasps who completed a maximum against Doe Hey, Mike Howard playing the bowl of the day into the front left corner, threading the last wood through what seemed like 11 other bowls on the line, to steal the end, despite Steve Partington playing a pair of Peakys to hold 2 up. And finally commiserations to Barbara Mealor with Harry (Homer) Simpson who played some superb bowls and looked to be on for a certain win against the star pairing of Mick Fletcher and Barry Trevitt........ until they lost 15-14.

Thursday 24th.

On what was another beautiful and sunny day play began on schedule. Looking around at some of the old familier faces, reminded me of what a fantastic job the NHS are doing keeping everyone ticking over !!

The motorway disruption plan worked particularly well throughout the matches to significantly reduce the noise from the M61. Once again noting the teams locating themselves in their traditional territory also gave some semblance of order. On the catering front it is very nice to hear all the complimentary comments regarding the quality of the offerings, already a special thanks to Andy Sculley for the time and effort he is putting in, just one word though, delegate.

The bowling was of a high standard....... mostly, you know who you are. In the top match Wasps vs Tom's Lot got off to a brilliant and predictable start, with Morty and Eric cruising along to a win. However the Sailor man had not read the script and proceeded to play a wonder bowl from match down to extend the game at 12-14. Then a further 2 chalks were gained for a 14-14 across. Following David's lead Morty then produced a customary front toucher on the 25yd round peg mark. Again it seemed like game over, only for Ray- 'Doyle' (there's a French connection) to smack off the bowl and deposit the jack into the gutter. The tide had turned and Morty and Eric were then sunk. However the match swung quickly back to Wasps as both Keith (3 Jacks) Waddington and Joe Counsell, then Stuart (pea shells) and Braddy saw off their opponents.

The Hultoneers gained a first win in a tight match against Clives Bunch. Also the introduction of another new player, so a warm welcome to Maggie Savory, who was playing with Alan Parker. They came very close to a win also, coming back from 14-11, however despite the driving from Parker in the end, things turned sour for Savory.

Finally on the whispers hotline it appears that the Old Hultonians may well have landed one of their top transfer targets ??? Also we understand The Hultoneers have flown a player in from Dubai to bolster the team. We also heard not one, but a pair of Norris's are likely to make their seasonal debut next Tuesday... at the moment this is still all Fleetwood Mac.

Tuesday 22nd September

Carlton welcomed all teams and their players back to Over Hulton for the 2026 renewel of the Winter League.

A minute of respect for given for George Manning, who was a very keen winter bowler here at OH.

On what was a fabulous day weather-wise, giving warm sunshine and blue skies; we also welcomed some new faces, David Wakefield for Toms Lot, Chris Hart for Forrests Rangers and Christine Thorpe, who was bringing some glamour to the Hultoneers. And some older faces also, the ever fit John Mort and Eric Tomlinson flying the flag for the over 90's.

On a day of surprises Doe Hey rocketed to the top of the league with a 5-0 win over the Hultoneers, this has already equalled Doe Heys regular winning match total for each of the past 3 years. A fine win for the pairing of Rob Morton and Andy Johnson over Phil Dandy and Ian Pendlebury to spare the blushes of the Old Hultonians, nice to have some insurance Rob against the dreaded 5 - nil.

(Saturday 3 October 2026)