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54 Phonebox Magazine | October 2025LOCAL SPORT ROUNDUPOLNEY BOWLING CLUBIn August, the Mike Smith Memorial Cup (Carlton House Trophy) was contested by 24 players drawn into pairs playing 3-woods. Close games throughout the groups culminated in a tightly contested fi nal between Les Durham and David Lewis against Howard Dean and Ken Harris. Les and David ended the day winning the trophy, which was presented by Karen Smith. The Barrick Trophy was held on Sunday 31st August with 20 members taking part, drawn into 10 pairs playing a 2-wood competition in two groups. Two semi-fi nals followed the group matches, followed by a fi nal. The winners were Tracey Thompson and Liz Murdoch who defeated Les Durham and Colin Millward. In memory of John and Nora Barrick, the trophy is made from an original bowl belonging to John and was presented to the winners by Wendy Collyer.OBC have had two teams playing in the Ray Keen League. Olney Oddfellows played in North Blue Div 2 and fi nished 4th out of six. Olney Athletic played in North Red Div 2 and fi nished 4th out of six. Fancy learning to play bowls? Contact ray.smith.rs95@gmail.com to arrange a taster session.NEWPORT PAGNELL AND OLNEY LIONS CLUB TO SPONSOR LOCAL YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAMOLNEY & CLIFTON FISHING CLUBTo his credit Barney took over the running of the match, which became the Ron Bull Open and ever since it has gone from strength to strength. Up until this season neither Nathan or I had fi shed the match. Our clerical skills have meant that we were the ideal people to perform the match draw, which during Lockdown was a challenge indeed but this meant that we never had enough time to then fi sh the match. This year though the rest of the committee fi nally talked Nathan into entering the match and it gives me great pride to reveal that he won the match beating a fi eld which included a Veterans world champion. He managed a bag of silvers weighing 11 lbs 14 oz from below Lavendon Mill which gave him victory by just nine ounces. This weekend saw the threeday Thames Festival, which was sponsored by a well known tackle fi rm. I think it shows the strength of our club when I tell you that Nathan%u2019s fi rst prize of %u00a3510 was %u00a310 more than the winner of that festival. In fact it is always a matter of pride that every penny received in entry money for the match is paid back as prize money. One last note on the match. On behalf of the club, a massive thanks to all the people who gave up their free time raking, strimming, etc, to prepare the sixty pegs that were used. Also thanks again to the landowners who kindly let many anglers park behind their pegs. With a fair percentage of the anglers getting on in years, I know that this kind and helpful gesture was greatly appreciated. Finally, on the non-match front, catching big carp from a river is a great achievement. So when Pete Nash caught one just a few ounces under 20 lbs, then most people would think what a great one off . But not for Pete, who just a few days later caught one weighing in at 21 lbs 8 oz. What an accomplishment.I%u2019m off to suggest to Nathan what fi shing kit he might like to treat me to out of his winnings, and I look forward to another month on the riverbank. Tight lines, Damon.My son Nathan and I joined the OCFA committee eight years ago. At that time the club%u2019s big match had lost its sponsorship and looked to be at an end. The team at Newport Pagnell & Olney Lions Club are delighted to announce formally that they are now sponsoring a local football team.At their business meeting this month, they ratifi ed an earlier decision to sponsor the Newport Pagnell Under 15%u2019s Football Team %u2013 (whose team name is %u2018The Lions%u2019).The Lions logo will be on the home and away team shirts, and they hope to display a Lions %u2018banner at the home ground. The Lions have also off ered to sponsor a trophy for the %u2018Most Improved Player of the Season%u2019.NP&O Lions see this as a great opportunity to support %u2018Youth%u2019 (one of their core global causes); engage with more people in Newport Pagnell (e.g. at the games, and perhaps, the annual awards ceremony) %u2013 and generally, raise their profi le in the town of Newport Pagnell %u2013 and just maybe recruit one or two Members and Friends!Thanks go to Simon and Stuart, the U-15 Management / Coaching team, for their help in facilitating this.LOCAL TENNIS SUCCESSOlney%u2019s Benjamin Swallow from Ousedale school competed at Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Club, which is the world%u2019s biggest tennis tournament, with over 1100 players entering this year. Ben won both the U16 singles match and the U16 boys%u2019 doubles match %u2013 congratulations Ben!