WINSLEY Bowls club celebrated their centenary in fine style last Thursday as they played host to a representative side from the English Bowls Association.

It was also 100 years ago this year that W G Grace formed the EBA and so the game provided the perfect opportunity for double centenary celebrations.

In a closely fought match, the EBA finally ran out one shot winners with the final score 112-111.

The highest rink score came from Winsley's quartet of Dave Rees, Bob Owens, Stan Bartlett and Colin Dando who scored 34, 6 shots higher than any other rink.

Winsley's next highest scoring quartet were Mike Richman, Ian Ferguson, Richard Hosking and Jack Swinburne with a score of 25.

Jack Swinburne, president of Winsley Bowls club, was delighted with the way the whole day went.

He said: "I thoroughly enjoyed it and so did everyone else. We were disturbed a bit by the rain three quarters of the way through the match but were able to bowl through to a finish."

After the match the players and guests from both sides went to the Bloomfield suite in Dorothy House for dinner and Swinburne is sure the day made an impression on the visiting team.

"They definitely enjoyed the day," said Swinburne. "We received some praise from them beyond the normal.

"During the dinner some of their players told us this was the one match they will remember out of the whole season.

"They travel round all the time and play 63 games a season. They do a great deal for our sport and lead very busy lives. Often they will be away from home for three weeks at a time and practically live out of a suitcase."

Arthur Hockley, president of the EBA, was honoured to be able to help celebrate such a momentous occasion.

He said: "We are pleased and privileged to be here to help celebrate Winsley's 100th birthday.

"It seems right that we are here as we share birthdays and why not all enjoy it together?

"A bowls club set in a lovely village like this is a pleasure to visit. We are here to remember the people who set the standards and tradition that we now enjoy."