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Skittles News

MUFFINMEN SUFFER A-BOMB BLAST AT CLUBHOUSE!

President's Shield
A-Bombs have completed the double of League and Shield Championships, for the second year running, and in so doing consigned Muffinmen to second place in both competitions. Not only did they beat Muffinmen in a high-scoring Final game of the knock-out competition for the President’s Shield but they also produced the highest score in the competition, previously held by Muffinmen.  A-Bombs 523 - 507 Muffinmen.  Jean Field and Mark Leach achieved the highest score for a lady and a gent.        See the full results

Winter League 2007-08
The League competition was closely fought throughout the season with a few teams presenting a challenge to the top two at various times, most notably Strongbows, but A-Bombs marched steadily on, only suffering two defeats all season.  A-bombs finished with 32 points and Muffinmen had 26 points.     See the individuals' honours and final table

Mixed Pairs Competition
This is the second year of this competition and it was won by Elise and Paul Collins.  After qualifying in the Group stage they progressed to beat Jenny Adams and Mark Court in the Final game with the highest score (48) of the Knockout stage. Jenny and Mark had earlier knocked-out last year's winners, Angie and John Atherton, who presented trophies to the finalists. 18 Pairs took part, all games being played in one evening.    See pictures and details

Player-of-the-Year
TOM BANKS is the 2008 Player-of-the-Year after beating last year's Runner-up, Phil Lewis, in a scintillating Final game which produced the highest-pin count of the whole tournament. Tom's 53 (equalling his score in the round of 16, and the best in the whole tournament) included a 14 spare to which Phil immediately replied with a 13, in his score of 51. Tom had earlier beaten last year's winner, John Harper, who presented trophies to the two finalists.  50 players took part in the competition which was spread over two nights.  See pictures and details

Civil Service Rugby Club win Gloucestershire Division 2

Old Cryptians 14 Cheltenham Civil Service 18

Cheltenham Civil Service were celebrating winning Gloucestershire Division Two on Saturday, 19 April 2008. Although Ashley Down Old Boys won one extra game to Civil Service they were deducted two points and Service took the league by virtue of having a far better points difference to Ashley Down.

Games between Old Crypts and Cheltenham Civil Service have a long history and a history of being passionate close encounters. This game was no different with two evenly matched teams on the day. Cryptians were first to take the lead with a penalty for a Civil Service off side. It wasn’t long before Service Fly half Paul Ogden hoisted an up-and-under which was chased down, quick distribution from the following play set up a service try for centre Sam Roberts taking the pass off fly-half Paul Ogden; Ogden converted. Crypts were then to take the lead back when a quickly taken penalty exposed a gaping hole in the Service defence and they scored an unconverted try wide out. Ogden slotted two first half penalties to give Service a 13 – 8 halftime lead.

Cryptians kicked an early second half penalty to put them within two points and nearly took back the lead with a try in the corner but last pass handling let them down. For the middle 30 minutes of the half neither team looked like scoring although more of the game was played in the Cryptians half of the field. Then, five minutes from time, Cryptians took the lead back with a penalty. Service now put some urgency back into their game but Cryptians defence held up on more than one occasion. A Service lineout started the last play of the game and first wing Dan Bailey and then Rich Simpson were both stopped a yard short of the line but then, like a bird of prey, centre Roberts appeared from nowhere, swooped onto a pop-up from Simpson and glided in for the kill. Ogden missed the conversion which would otherwise have taken him to a 301 personal points tally for the season.

Civil Service are now looking forward to the challenge of Gloucestershire Division 1. Although they have been fortunate to have some strong players join in-year and now have a squad strong enough to keep them in the higher league, they still need to recruit some new blood in key positions to make a shot at the league title next year a realistic goal. Congratulations to all Cheltenham Civil Service players, committee men and a special mention to coach Peter Lodge for a successful season. Thank you also to Club staff and groundsman Martin Saunders for one of the best facilities in local rugby.
 

Skittles News

Summer Finals' Night - 7 September 2007

The Skittles Club Summer League reached its climax on Friday,  7 September 2007.  Before the prizes were awarded two games were played

Result of the Summer League Final

This game was between the two teams which came top of the summer league.  There were 11 teams in the league playing each other once.  This year we had 2 teams from Spirax Sarco entered.  A-Bombs affirmed their status as the leading team this Summer by fending off the Challenge from Over-the-Odds 491-480 to win the Championship. They are now double Champions having won last Winter's league.

Gerry Chivers, captain of the A-Bombs,
receives the Summer League Winners trophy
from Alan Brown, Chairman of GCSLA

Result of the Front-Pin game for the Chairman's Cup

A-BOMBS 354(+13) ODDS & ENDS 354 (+21)
A thrilling finish in which A-Bombs were set 10 to win on the last hand by Odds & Ends saw them manage only 9 pins to record what is believed to be the first tie in this match series. Odds & Ends gained a small lead on the first leg but were behind thereafter, although swings of fortune which are the characteristic of a game played under Front-pin rules meant that they were always in the reckoning.
Odds & Ends went first on the play-off hand, Pett Wilsdon leading-off with a 14 spare, the team score being 21. A-Bombs were unable to match this, scoring 13.

Malcolm King is made a Vice President and receives CSSC Certificate of Recognition

After very many years of faithful service to CACSSA, Malcolm King decided to step down as Chairman at the end of this year's AGM.   As a way of showing our gratitude Malcolm was honoured by being made the fourth Vice President of CACSSA (after the late Geoff Hardy, David Wilson and Gerald Wynn). David Maconochie, our Vice-Chairman nominated Malcolm for a Certificate of Recognition from CSSC, our parent body.

This is part of the citation by David:

Douglas Matthews CB CSSC Vice Chairman presents Malcolm King with the Certificate of Recognition

 
The top table at the AGM  (left to right):  David Maconochie  (Vice-chairman); Kirsty Bauld (Secretary); Malcolm King (Chairman); John Widdowson (President); John Theyers (Treasurer); Charlie Mills (Bar officer)

Malcolm was not the only one to step down this year.  Kirsty Bauld stood down as Secretary and Mark Butler stood down as Estate Officer, he is replaced by Eddie Baker.  All others were re-elected.  The AGM was held on 24 May 2007.

The Reports from the clubs will be posted soon.

CACSSA Golf Society – Newsletter

When the phone rang at 07:15 on a wet Monday morning I wasn't too surprised that it was the starter from Bransford GC calling to say that the course was closed due to heavy overnight rain. However, the forecast was for the rain to stop and he was hopeful that we would be able to play but we might be delayed by an hour or two. Given we were only playing 18 holes I decided we should continue, but then went and doubled checked I'd packed my waterproofs and a change of clothing. Driving up from Cheltenham the rain continued and I started to doubt we would even manage 18 holes.

However, as I arrived at the course the rain stopped and we eventually got away just 8 minutes behind our scheduled start. The course was slightly damp in places, but otherwise in excellent condition and somehow we managed the whole day without a single drop of rain - I even managed to get a bit of a sun tan in the afternoon. Even more remarkable was that it rained in Cheltenham until about 3pm, so everyone in the office was thinking we were getting soaked!

Despite the relatively good conditions the scoring wasn't particularly impressive with a level par 36 points sufficient to see Bob Wright win the CACSSA Shield. Second place went to Wayne Stewart with 34 points while Wayne Stanton-Kerr came third with 33 points (on count back). Nearest the pin went to Ray Foster while the longest drive was split between Wayne Willcox and Brian Matthews. Finally Nick Smart won the par 3 competition with 14 points.

Despite there being six par 3s and twenty players we didn't manage a single 2 all day - so the £20 pot will be carried forward to the next event at Broadway on 22nd June - please see the entry form. [Andy's e-mail address is andylackeyblueyondercouk if you want to tell him the form's on its way.]

The UK/US match will be played next Friday, 1st June, at Stinchcombe. Bob Wright has organised this year's event and needs one more player for the UK team, so please contact him if you are able to play (bobzebragraphicscouk).

Finally, the knock-out events are now well underway - please ensure you contact your opponents as early as possible to ensure matches are completed by the due dates. Any delay at this early stage can easily snow-ball into a significant delay by the final stages meaning that the finals can end up being played in less than ideal conditions. This is why Alan may reluctantly have to enforce the closing dates should you not have completed your match on time.

Phil

NO SMOKING FROM 1^st MAY 2007

Following the introduction of a partial ban on smoking in the CACSSA clubhouse in May 2005, the CACSSA Management Committee has been monitoring developments closely. The legal position is about to change, with a full ban on smoking in pubs, clubs and restaurants set to come into force in England this summer. At the same time, we have seen increasing support from members of CACSSA (for example, through a recent survey) for an extension of the ban, and similar views from CACSSA staff and commercial users of the clubhouse.

As announced at our 2006 AGM, we have therefore decided that there will be a complete ban on smoking in all parts of the clubhouse from 1 May 2007.

We recognise this development will be unwelcome to some people, but believe it is in the interests of all our members, our staff, and of CACSSA overall. Taking this step will both allow us to meet our legal obligations, and help ensure the clubhouse continues to be seen as an attractive venue by our members and outside organisations which hire it commercially. Your cooperation in ensuring the ban is implemented smoothly will be much appreciated.

If you have any concerns about this change, please contact me or any other member of the Management Committee.

David Maconochie
Vice-chairman of the Management Committee

JB Jazz & Blues Band Celebrate Second Year

The JB Jazz & Blues Band are celebrating the beginning of the second year playing at their very own Jazz Club on the second Sunday of every month in the function room. Over the months the band has enjoyed increasing success playing their own brand of happy jazz, and featuring many different local guest artists and bands.

John Beckingham, the band’s leader and pianist said, “We looked around for a long time to find a venue for such a project, and CACSSA fitted our requirements perfectly. The size was exactly what we were looking for and the spacious car park, very fair bar prices and food availability were bonuses that we hadn’t dared hope for!

Now on the second Sunday of every month a solid core of regulars attend in anticipation of an enjoyable, and reasonable night’s entertainment.

The band was formed a few years ago, bringing together five talented musicians from different backgrounds with a common approach to their music – to have fun. Through appearances at several venues from Stafford to Plymouth, the band have developed a considerable following. They also made a guest appearance on the hit Channel 4 comedy series “Spaced”. They have been described as “everybody’s favourite band” by Paula Acxil at “The Daffodil” one of Cheltenham’s major venues for its Jazz Festival. John Howell from Jazz Club 90 in Albrighton, Wolverhampton, said: “Our audience was treated to jazz and blues of the very highest quality from musicians who so obviously enjoyed the music; so much so that I had more requests to book the band again than I think I have ever had before.”

The JB Jazz & Blues Band will be appearing again at the club on 14 January 2007 and the second Sunday of every month thereafter. Why not come along and join in the fun!

FAREWELL RONNIE!

After spending the last 8 years keeping the CACSSA buildings clean Mrs Veronica O’Neill (“Ronnie” to her friends – i.e. all and sundry) has finally decided to call it a day.  Her work included not just the ‘normal’ day-to-day general housework but the clearing-up process after parties, weddings and the like.   Many early birds into the Clubhouse will remember fondly her vociferous opinions on those who dared to mess up her Clubhouse.

Special requests, like polishing the skittles alleys for big occasions, might upset her routine but were completed on time and she was a great help in the kitchen when required – and sometimes when not, as she did like to wash dishes!

At times, her husband Tom helped her out and we wish them both well in their new-found leisure, although Ronnie may appear from time to time to help out with special occasions.

Staff and Management combined to present Ronnie with some gifts to mark the occasion with our thanks for all her efforts.