Stuart Greenhalgh continues series of conversations with some of the area’s biggest names in crown green bowling, this week focusing his Q&A on Nicola Boulton…
ONE of the great things about crown green is that men and women can compete against each other and at almost any age.
I do honestly believe from the things I have heard around a bowling green there is still room for improvement before we can be truly integrated.
In many areas, like Mid Cheshire, women have their own league.
The Ladies Mid Cheshire League gives a safe place for women to be introduced to bowling.
Nicola Boulton is one of Mid Cheshire’s best and most consistent bowlers and would complement any team.
Women’s bowls in this area, and I think most areas, are finding it difficult to recruit new players.
Here is this week’s Q&A with Nicola:
Q: At what age did you start bowling?
I started bowling at the age of nine.
Q: Who or what inspired you to start bowling?
Parents were both keen bowlers and I was dragged around bowling greens from an early age.
Q: Where was your first home green?
Millstone BC in Penyffordd, which is now a Co-op!
Q: Can you remember your first-ever league match? What green was it on? Who did you play? Did you win?
My first league match was 1982, aged 10, at Hoole Park in Chester. The team was a player short so I had to play, still in my school uniform! I scored 6 against Denis Meredith!
Q: If you didn’t win your first-ever league match, can you remember when and where you first won a league match?
I can’t remember when or where I won my first league match, even though it would’ve been a momentous occasion as I used to lose all the time in the early days.
Q: What was the first major competition you entered outside the Mid Cheshire area and which did you first win?
The first real competitive team I played for and won a league title with was Red Lion Frodsham. I joined them in 2005 and I’m still trying to master the green!! Prior to that the teams I played for were a lot more focused on the beer and banter that followed the games!! First open comp I won was at the age of 19, played 6 games and beat Ritchie Jamieson in final. Although I have to admit I had the slight advantage of being on my home green!
Q: When did you play your first county match? Do you remember who played against?
Not sure what age I started playing county, possibly late my late twenties? It was quite late as I was originally registered with Wales and they didn’t form a team until late 90’s.
Q: Have you ever played for any other county besides Cheshire?
Yes, Wales.
Q: Who have been your toughest opponents…both on a national level and local level?
Lynn Pritchatt, Katrina Caley, Ann Roberts, Noel Burrows, Glynn Cookson and Stan Frith.
Q: Over the years I am sure you have had many card markers, good and bad. Who was (is) the best for you?
My mum was a great card marker. My dad is a great card marker and sends every bowl with me off the side. And not forgetting Carol Taylor who has accompanied me to many BCGBA ladies’ events and been there marking my highs and lows in all weathers!
Q: What is your proudest achievement in bowls?
Proudest achievement in bowls was in 2008, winning a unique double… ladies Talbot trophy at the Raikes Hotel Blackpool and then the following day winning the ladies Waterloo Blackpool. Also, 2007 Guardian Cup winner and 2008 (I think) Roberts Bakery winner
Q: Which bowlers would you currently pay to watch? And which bowlers from the past did you enjoy watching?
Difficult to name individual players past or present. I would pay to watch any of the top bowlers/teams competing in comps
> READ: Q&A with crown green bowler Glynn Cookson
Q: Over the years do you think crown green bowls has become more inclusive for women on both a local and national level?
I would say that crown green bowls has over the years become more inclusive for women however I do believe that there is more scope for women to compete against men in national and local competitions.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to a new bowler?
Find the right set of bowls that aren’t too big or small in the hand. Practice as much as you possibly can. Enter lots of competitions. Be tactically aware. DON’T be short! (The advice don’t be short is about when you are bowling it is better to be slightly over paced with your wood than short. Crown green bowls welcomes below average height players)
Q: What advice would you give to a bowler wanting to improve their game?
Practice. Play at the highest standard that you possibly can.
Q: What is your funniest bowls memory?
Funniest moment… in a league match my opponent led the jack out and then played his first bowl to a different jack from a separate end!
Q: Have you any thoughts on ways to introduce bowling to a new generation? Ladies’ bowls needs an injection of new bowlers more than the men’s game.
I find it difficult to think of a way to introduce new bowlers, female or male.
I would say that most players have been introduced to the game by their parents/relatives.
The game no longer has nationwide tv coverage like it did when I first started playing, and at that time there were only four tv channels available!
It would’ve had many viewers and I’m sure would’ve boosted so much interest in the game.
The only way you can publicise the game is through this route or via social media.
The game doesn’t sell itself well and still has the stigma of being an old man’s game.
The BCGBA need to sell the game better, with less focus on the elite aspects of the game and more focus on the grassroots level, perhaps promoting all the social and health benefits that it can also offer.
To watch Nicola, play in the 2016 champ of champs just do a YouTube search for “Globegig media” to watch this and other great games from the hay-day. Andy Cairns you tube channel to. It is a great way to watch some amazing bowlers from the past.
Part Three will be a look back alongside a true great of crown green, both on a national and local level, Stan Frith
