BOWLERS will be allowed to play in the Huddersfield Veterans League from the age of 62 next season, regardless whether they are working or not.

Club representatives at the half-yearly meeting of the Huddersfield Veterans’ Association agreed to remove from the existing rule “having retired,” in order to clarify the issue.

That means a bowler is allowed to compete in the league and competitions whether he is in part-time work, is employed for only a few hours a week, or is fully retired.

However, a further rule change to try to bring the start time for league games forward to 1.30 was voted against and will remain at 2.00.

It was also agreed that in the event of teams finishing on equal terms in the league, the winners will be decided on the number of wins achieved – like a countback system.

Changes to the popular Rosebowl (entry fee increased to £1.50) and Over 70s competitions were also passed whereby players will be fined if they are absent for the intermediate rounds after several players knocked their opponents out of the events, but then failed to turn up for the next rounds.

The committee will also meet on November 12 to discuss the formulation of next season’s league and possible introduction of new teams.

If any club wants to form a 10-man or six-man team for the league then they should contact secretary Tommy Dunford before that date.

Trophies were presented to section winners and runners-up along with individual, pairs and team competition winners.

Special praise was reserved for Waterloo BC who had a superb season, winning Section I and claiming the Perry’s Cars Champion of Champions and Baines Hall Bistro trophies.

And Huddersfield retained both the Grouse and Hickson Inter-District Trophies.

Certificates to commemorate the 90th birthday of its members were presented to Harold Harris, of Ravensknowle Park, and a posthumous award went to Arthur Smith, of Lindley Lib, which was collected by Charlie Moxon on behalf of Mr Smith’s family.

Competition secretary Bill Blackburn warmly thanked all sponsors for their generosity and support.

And he made a point of encouraging younger veterans to ‘give a bit back to the sport they enjoy’ by putting themselves forward for the committee and he hoped to see more spectators at final days, many of which had produced some thrilling bowling.