The 2024-25 Hayman Trophy Drawing Competition was contested in typical late-Spring conditions. The morning session was played after a frost, under grey skies with a cool breeze just disturbing the trees. The afternoon players were greeted by blue skies, warm temperatures and the forecast winds did not eventuate. The 72-strong field was drawn on to 24 rinks, with 3 players on each rink, 24 players in the morning and 48 in the afternoon, for the 57th playing of this prestigious trophy, which dates back to 1965.The competition was played over 18 ends with each player delivering in turn, four bowls to a medium length jack, then four to a short length jack and then four to a long length jack – 72 bowls in total. Each bowl was measured and those within one foot of the jack scored 3 points, within two feet 2 points and within a yard one point. A yard stick (in keeping with the history of the trophy) was used to measure the distances from the jack.Four former winners graced the field – Graeme Rees (1995), Mike Small (2014, 2018, 2020 and 2021), Neil Cornelius (2019) and last season’s winner, Hamish Wilson 2023-24). Scoring was very respectable with 21 of the entrants scoring over 60 points, with another 16 players in the 50s and 18 in the 40s. The eventual winner, for the fifth time, Mike Small, achieved 98 points while last years’ winner, Hamish Wilson, was runner up with 87 and as Club President, later graciously presented the trophy to Mike. James O’Kane was third with 78 points. The possible score on any single end is 12 points. This is usually only achieved while in a deep and happy sleep, before waking to disappointing reality. This year was notable for the number of players who achieved double figures on an end. Beth Mehaffey scored double figures on two ends, 11 (short) and 10 (medium) Pam Clark achieved an 11 point score on her first end! James O’Kane 11 (m) Hamish Wilson 11 (s), a Liam Keegan 10 (m), Paul Wallace 10 (L), Matt Small 10 (m), and Millie Knox 10 (m). Nine nines, twenty eights, fifty-one sevens and seventy-two sixes were added to score cards from excellent heads. Everyone got well into double figures and had bowls to be proud of. The format does give a great pointer as to where to concentrate future practice. This season, like most others, it looks like long ends will either need to be practised or avoided!This trophy is usually won by the most consistent draw player – one who scores on every end, starts well and finishes strongly. Mike Small and Hamish Wilson both scored on every end while Keith Battersby, Andy Cockroft, James O’Kane, John Switalla (last end) and David Crombie only missed out on one end. Pam Clark scored the best score (11) on the first end while Mike Mehaffey finished strongest on the last end (9). There’s always next year..................!
Overall Results 1 Mike Small 98 2 Hamish Wilson 87 3 James O’Kane 78 4 Beth Mehaffey 72 5= Paul Wallace and Graham Tate 71 7 Tracy Wilkinson 69 8 Mike Mehaffey 66 9= Pam Clark and John Switalla 65 Women – 1 Beth Mehaffey 2 Tracy Wilkinson 3 Pam ClarkUnder 5 Years – 1 Beth Mehaffey 2 Wayne England 3= Ken Stevens and Keith Battersby First and Second Years – 1 Roberto Weiler 2= Paul McFadzien and Liam KeeganVillage People – 1 Graham Tate 2 Rosemary Harper 3 Bill Fowlie
Thanks to Jamey Ferris and Barry Williams for the preparation of two excellent greens and thanks also to Arjan van Hasselt, Neil Anderson, Graham Tate, Mike Murphy and Paul McOscar for marking the greens, putting out all the gear required and their general oversight of the day. Not forgetting all the others who helped out during the day and the good spirit shown by all competitors on Saturday to make for a very enjoyable event.
