HEAVY rain and a hefty defeat could not take the shine off York-based Bert Keech Bowling Club's 90th anniversary celebrations.
The club, formed in 1912, marked the milestone with a challenge match against a team put together by the English Bowling Association's president, Wayne Manley of the Sunningdale club in Berkshire.
A downpour delayed the start but the visitors, who included international Chris Palmer and junior international Ryan O'Flanagan in their ranks, won 145-79 when the match finally got underway.
Other well-known names in the EBA president's team included Bob Jackson, David Johnson, EBA vice-president Arthur Hockey and junior vice-president Ian Morrill.
The only Bert Keech rink to win was that of club captain Bill Waldie, who included club president Bill Hunter in his line-up as they beat Manley's rink.
The club was originally Bootham Bowling Club and its most famous member was Bert Keech, an English singles champion and captain of England.
The current playing area at Sycamore Place was Keech's garden which he turned into a bowls green.
He was the licensee of the De Grey Rooms in York and ran dancebands just before the war. On his death in 1954 Bootham BC changed its name to Bert Keech BC in his honour.
One of the guests at the anniversary match was Bert Keech's widow, Edith, who is 88.
Updated: 12:21 Wednesday, August 21, 2002
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