Ladies Captains' Report 2017

It was my intention from the beginning of the season to try something different as regards team selection. I felt it was important to bring some players on who had shown potential to play 3 or skip and also play in the league team. I had a selection committee who met most Mondays and judging from the result of our league success this year, it has seemed to work.

We were full on from the start of the season when we were drawn against Pagham in the first round of the County Top Club which we won, but unfortunately lost in the next round to East Preston.

In the County double rink we were drawn against Chichester, we won at Chichester but lost at home, only by 4 shots overall. Not a bad result considering Chichester then went on to win the competition. I must mention Edna who came in as a late reserve and had a superb game at Chichester.

So that was us out of both County competitions. Bring on the league.

We got off to a great start gaining 6 points from our first away game. We maintained an average of 4.6 points out of a possible 6 throughout the season, winning all but two games. The highlight being gain 6 points gained away at Crablands, something we have not achieved before. We finished second in the league behind Chichester who had a late surge, a result which I think, with the number of lady players we have, was tremendous, WELL DONE.

The league have a new sponsor for next season, Game Set and Match. Unfortunately Lancing have had to withdraw, so no picnic next year (ah) but we will be playing Worthing Pavilion and Middleton.

Continuing on the County scene, huge congratulations to Hannah who won the County Unbadged Singles title. I believe this is the first time that a Bognor lady member has won this title. So she has qualified for her county badge which she will play for next season and I wish her every success in her county career.

The ladies club competitions ran smoothly and I wish to thank all those who took part and congratulations to Margaret, our singles champion, and wish her success in the county champion of champions next year.

We also had two new ladies join us this season, Jo and Nikki, who were both beginners and are coming along nicely and I look forward to including them in our teams next year. Thank you to Pat for your time spent coaching Jo and Nikki and to Margaret for helping out.

I have had a great committee behind me this year and I wish to thank Jean who took over the task as Ladies Secretary which involves a lot of work coordinating with the county and also Lyn, Margaret and Mary for their support. My thanks also to Penny who, not only is our match secretary but also my Vice Captain. She has helped with selection, is normally there first on match days, getting out the equipment and sorting out the teas at the RAFA club. And she is a well deserved winner of the ladies loyalty cup this year. I am very pleased that all the committee are continuing next year.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to get on with the Men’s captain this year, we have had some lively discussions and it was just a bit easier than being married to him actually and the fact that we are both continuing next year is a good indication that it has been okay.

Janet Whitfield

Ladies Captain 2017