Bowls Canterbury Awards

The 2023-24 Hayman Trophy was contested in typical autumn conditions variable winds, with warmish temperatures. The 53-strong field was drawn on to 14 rinks, mostly with 4 players on each, for the 56th 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. In total 3,816 bowls were delivered during the afternoon, scoring in all 2,242 points.

One former winner graced the field – Graeme Rees who won in 1995. Scoring was very respectable with 26 of the entrants scoring over 50 points with another 10 players in the 40s. The eventual winner, Hamish Wilson, achieved 109 points while runner up Dave Straker scored 81 points followed closely by Andy Cockroft, Matt Small, Lyn Haworth and Gordon Morrison – all in the 70s
The possible score on any single end is 12 points and this is extremely rare. Hamish scored 11 on the third end (long) and the only other double figure scorers were Neil Andersen and Kazumi Cuthbertson with 10 points on the 17 th (short) and 13 th (medium) ends respectively. These three also achieved a score of nine on a further end as did 6 others. Nineteen 8’s were scored in total with Lyn Haworth achieving three of these on successive ends.
Twenty-eight sevens, forty-six sixes and ninety-one fives were added to score cards from excellent heads. Everyone got well into double figures and had bowls to be proud of. The average score per player was 49.6 points. (Could be a useful fact if you are ever on a quiz show!) The format does give a great pointer as to where to concentrate future practice. Next season, like most others, it looks like long ends will either need to be practiced or avoided!
This trophy is usually won by the most consistent draw player – one who scores on every end, starts well and finishes strongly. This year Hamish Wilson, Dave Straker, Andy Cockroft, Graeme Rees and Mike Brereton scored on every end while six others scored on 17 ends. Ray Moody recorded the best score (8) on the first end while El Johnson finished with a flourish with 9 points on the 18 th end. There’s always next year..................!
Overall Results1 Hamish Wilson 109 2 Dave Straker 81 3 Andy Cockroft 79 4 Matt Small 76 5 Lyn Haworth 74 6 Gordon Morrison 72 7 Beth Mehaffey 69 8 Ray Moody 67 9 Lisa Mather 66 10 Mike Brereton 64Under 5 Years1 Beth Mehaffey 2 Jayden Owens 3 Mike Mehaffey 4 Neville ChurcherFirst and Second Years1 Shaun Gore 2 Pat Hopkins 3 Noleen BehagueVillage People 1 Pierre Alexandra 2 Brian Clarkson 3 Rosemary HarperHighest scoring Rink1 Rink 24 2 Rink 8 3 Rink 19 (best 3 scores counted)
Thanks to Jamey Ferris (excellent greens), Neil Andersen, Arjan van Hasselt, Mike Murphy and Paul McOscar (artistic crosses and preparation) and all the other helpers during the day.