Fixture News 2024
Welcome to the 2024 edition of “Fixture News”!
Further to the Captain’s introduction letters contained in the membership pack, my aim is to elaborate further on what to expect this coming season as regards fixtures and competitions.
Fixture News this year is somewhat shorter than in previous years as a result of no new fixtures to announce and NWK Men only now having two teams rather than three. With a number of players (some regularly playing for the club) leaving the club for various reasons, it may well prove to be a challenging season for OBC, however, if the rumoured expected new players join the club and some of those existing players step up from just playing Aussie Pairs and the Aggregate it may still prove to be a successful season once again for OBC! let’s hope so! As reported at the AGM, five ladies only matches have had to be omitted from the fixture schedule due to low interest. A number of other fixtures are also under threat of being omitted from future fixture programmes if interest from members to play, especially to away games, does not improve! so please support the club and put your names down to play.
Nigel Chambers Fixture Secretary OBC
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Away Day Fixtures
Our present away day fixtures are unchanged from last season. However, with the annual fixture at Whitstable being cancelled for this season due to the club renewing their green, hooray! I hear you say! about time they did something about their green! I have scheduled a one off fixture at Deal’s - Victoria Park BC. Please try and support the club for this fixture as they are looking forward to welcoming us for this once only visit!
Inter Club Competition With Orpington Excelsior BC
“The Orpington Town Cup”
It was intended to start this new inter club triples competition last season but for various reasons that didn’t materialise but I’m pleased to say that “The Orpington Town Cup” (barring any issues) will start this season with revised, simplified rules based on overall shot count over the matches and bonus shots awarded for the club with the top rink in each match. Each triple must have at least one male and one female playing member. Any triple consisting of all one gender will incur a five shot starting deficit. All matches will alternate each season with the club hosting the final match providing a tea and organising the prize giving.
Men’s NWK
The following shows which clubs are in our respective divisions for the coming season. Clubs “underlined” are those clubs promoted or relegated into the respective leagues. Leagues 1-6 will have eight participating teams while Leagues 7 & 8 will have seven participating teams. Our first team had it’s best ever result last season so a tough act to follow. Lets hope the green at Sevenoaks isn’t as bad as reported! Our second team has remained in league four despite finishing second to bottom last season while we have decided to do away with our team three. The new teams in division four will unfortunately require some travelling but at least the unpopular trip to Empire BC is no longer! due to them getting promotion last season.
Orpington 1 Division 1 - Orpington Excelsior 1, Petts Wood 1, Sidcup 1, Bromley 2, West Wickham 1, Blackheath & Greenwich, Sevenoaks
Orpington 2 Division 4 - Belvedere Social, Orpington Excelsior 2, West Wickham 2, Kings, Bethlem 1, Kingfisher, Forest Hill 1
Ladies NWK
The following shows which clubs are in our ladies division for the coming season. Clubs “underlined” are new clubs we shall be playing this season. Our ladies won promotion to League two last season so well done ladies. As a result they will be playing all new clubs this season apart from Woodcroft who gained promotion to League two as well. Divisions 1-3 have seven teams while Division four has six teams.
Division 2 - Woodcroft, New Beckenham, Westerham, West Beckenham, Bromley, Forest Hill
It would appear there will be some amount of travelling again this year ladies!
Men’s LX League
Last season was a triumph for OBC winning the competition for the first time! a great achievement! Let’s hope we can do as well this season but with some ever present players now moved on from the club it will probably prove difficult to emanate the achievement of last season but we’ll give it a good try!! Having won the competition last season the club will be hosting the end of season LX match between the winners and a team of LX delegates on Friday 27th September.
Ron Ault Cup
The first round for this competition is to be played by Tues. 25th June and our opponents are:- Duke of Kent BC Home
Fred Tyler Cup
The first round for this competition is on Tuesday 2nd July and our opponents are as follows:- Both at home this year!
Orpington 1 - Bromley 2 Home
Orpington 2 - Petts Wood 2 Home
Glady’s Tyler Competition
The first round is on Monday 22nd July and will be:-
Petts Wood 2 Home
Mollie Cleggett
The first round for this competition will take place on Tuesday 9th July and our opponents are:-
Bromley Home & Away
Have a great season and lets hope the weather is kind!!!!