I am going to try something different, I have always said bowls isn’t modern enough and over the last 12 months I have taken forward a lot of change not just at Victoria Saints, but for Welsh Lawn Bowls. I have been very focused on the website and on our Facebook page which is now a hub for information about bowls within Swansea and afar.
But something I am guilty of is keeping the website news updated (slap on a wrist moment for me). So I am going to try something, it might work but it might not.
Each month I am going to produce a Secretary Report (for however long I am fortunate to be in the role at this historic club) as come September 2026 as per the club constitution I shall stand down as Secretary to allow the membership to elect who should be on the 2027 committee. It is my intention to put my name forward for this, would be a shame to stop the good work now and I hope the members will agree.
As we are now just over a month in to the season and 19 fixtures in, we are pretty much in full swing. The Saints started the season strong and in winning style by claiming the Annual Swansea Victoria Shield from our neighbours and friends, Swansea BC followed by an away win against Dunvant Druids in the Midweek Triples League and then again the following day against Dunvant Nutters in the Rink Link.
We were then away to Sketty in Division 1 and unfortunately slumped to a loss in the first match of our Division 1 title defence campaign in game where 1 shot made all the difference. Final score was Sketty 57 – 56 Victoria, we took away 4 valuable points from this match.
We then had an unusual ‘pause’ in games as we had a couple of BYEs and then our next game was not until 2nd May where we then travelled to Resolven in the WLB Carruthers Shield, against a very strong Resolven side at home in very testing downpours, Resolven came out on top.
We then took on Clyne Valley in the Midweek Triples League winning 70 – 65 (10 – 4) in a very hard fought match. The following day, Rink League travelled to Mumbles and lost 16 – 8.
Then, we had a strange setup of fixtures, our next 3 games were Oystermouth at Home in the Division 1, Midweek Triples and Erin Walters Rink Cup.
On the 9th May, we took on Oystermouth in Division 1 and won 54-46 (10-2) and then the following Tuesday, Oystermouth returned and defeated our Midweek Triples League team 45 – 67 (2-12) and then they were still not done, they came back for more on Wednesday to take on our Rink League team and defeated them in the Ern Walters Rink Cup and we wish them all the best in their cup run.
We then travelled to Dyfatty for a Thursday evening match in the Division 1 The Saints looked to have in the bag, Dyfatty made a surge on the final ends and took the win beating us 58-44 (9-3).
Then another strange period happened, our Saturday opponent in the WLB Carruthers Shield decided to forefeit their fixture despite protests that we wanted to play, they were not willing to play which unfortunately for them, will result in a ban from the Carruthers Shield for failing to fulfill fixtures. Resolven progressed through as our group winners.
Monday came around quickly, and so did the rain. Our Blackiston Cup match against Parc Llewellyn had to be postponed due to heavy downpours and then on Tuesday, we were playing Parc Llewellyn again in the Midweek Triples Cup, despite best efforts, the match was part-played and had to be abandoned around 9-10 ends in due to the rain. The final result was 39-19 to the Saints and the re-arranged continuation fixture was conceded by Parc Llewellyn which resulted in progression to the 2nd round of the cup which will be played on the 28th July against Tawe.
The following day, our friends at Oystermouth were back at Victoria Park, this time in the Rink League which the Saints won 17-14.
We were on a roll, on the 21st July Hafod Bro visited us in the Keith Jacob Super 9 where we won 54-40 (8-2) followed by a visit from Jersey in the 23rd in Division 1 where we won 70-49 (11-1). But it didn’t stop there, on the 26th Waunarlwydd visited Victoria Park for the Ken Thomas Midweek Triples League where the Saints ran rampant and won the fixture 110-56 (14-0) and then on 27th May, myself and my Son William played our first ever competitive match together in the Rink League. It was the first time I had ever played 3rd too, so it was interesting! Where we won away at Skewen Park against Swansea Vale winning 18-10.
So that leaves us with 1 more fixture left in an action packed May, a month that made me question my choices, a month of ups and downs and great moments. On 30th May we travel to Hafod Park to take on Parc Llewellyn in Division 1.
Lets keep up the winning streak. COME ON THE SAINTS!
