Sunday 10/17/24 November 2002    
Morecambe Superbowl
Central Drive
Morecambe
LA4 4DW

Tel : 01524 400974
 
BTBA Sanction No Pending

As you are undoubtedly aware the County Trials for 2003 events needed to be re-thought. After a couple of gatherings of the Trials Committee (Barabara Glover, Mal Holmes Geoff Rens and myself), November 2002 was selected. This was the  month in which there was the least conflict with tournaments and a point at which we felt the Trials could still be held as a single event, combining all ages of Lancashire bowlers. 

We considered much in the meetings, whether it would be better to split the Trials such that the Juniors bowled separate to the Adults / Seniors, or even simply allow each group to have their own Trials. Financially this made much less sense and moreover we would have had to recruit a number of others to help organise, run and score these events, plus the rates we would be offered with such a diluted number of entrants would probably be less favourable. 

That's why we went for 1 set of Trials and in November, and so you are probably asking what about where they were to be held. 

This was keenly debated, and we (the Trials Committee) agreed that we had to open the hosting up to any bowl in Lancashire that fell within a reasonable radius from the centre of the county. 10 centres were eventually chosen, being: 
Preston Megabowl 
Preston Lakeside 
Edge Lane 
Bury Megabowl 
Bolton Hollywood Bowl 
Worsley 
Blackpool Premier 
Morecambe 
Wigan AMF 
Burnley AMF 

They were written to, and in the Invitation to Tender we laid out 6 criteria which had to be answered and responses received by 26th September.

The six items included number of lanes that could be allocated on each of the 3 Sunday dates (10th, 17th and 24th November), plus rates and whether a dedicated mechanic would be made available, plus the acceptance of laying an oil pattern as stated by the County Chairman (Mal Holmes). 

4 Centres responded, being Blackpool Premier, Worsley, Preston Megabowl and Morecambe. For the record Preson Megabowl wanted more than the others per game lineage, Blackpool had a shortage of lanes on the middle weekend, Worsley offered same as last year, and Morecambe offered the best rates. 

The decision was not easy and after a number of rounds of discussion Morecambe was selected. 

The entry form has been changed from last year with a clearer set of squad and selection criteria, otherwise rules and bowling is the same.

Once the sanction has been received the entry form will be distributed and images will be posted on the site.

Bryan Wiggans