Obituary: Stephen Batler

Jun 2 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ONE of Huddersfield’s most popular bowlers has died.

Cowcliffe bowler Stephen Batler died on May 24, aged 59.

He was raised on Bradley Mills Lane with brothers Terry and Chris and went to school at St Patrick’s then St Augustine’s.

At 16 he became an apprentice engineer at ICI and worked there until retirement at the age of 50.

His sporting career began when he played football with Bradley Mills and, living by the old Town ground at Leeds Road, he enjoyed the odd kickabout with a certain Denis Law, on his way to training.

He joined Cowcliffe Bowling Club in 1974 and won his first game 21-19 against Linfit Hall. That the same year he won the Wilkinson Shield (men’s pairs) with his brother Chris, and more success followed as he claimed the club merit six times, men’s pairs nine times, and the Heywood Cup five times.

He was also a member of the team that won the Littlewood Cup in 1976.

Away from Cowcliffe he was the President of The Huddersfield Bowling Committee in 1989/90, and was instrumental in setting up the original rules and organisation of the Huddersfield Junior League in 1994.

Back on the bowling green he won the Liberal Mixed Pairs with D Sayles in 1989, lost in the Websters handicap semi 20-21 but made up for that by coming from 15-9 down to beat Fred Middleton in the final in 1982.