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NEWS BELOW FROM 2026 - (LATEST AT THE TOP)

THIS LITTLE CLUB'S SEASON COMES TO AN END / OH WHAT A SEASON WE HAVE HAD!

The 2026 Bowls season has now been completed. After the end of our final friendly on the 20th September 2026, our Green is closed to ALL play as we prepare for season 2027. However, we are still accepting Membership applications for next season, so, do please get in touch if you would like to apply for membership.

We have had a very successful season, and we would like to place on record our gratitude to all of our volunteer Green Team members who work so hard continuously throughout the bowls season and indeed throughout the winter months.

Congratulations to our Men's County League team for winning the league and once again playing in the Dorset 'Championship' next season after playing in the same division in 2025.

Congratulations also to our Ladies Team who finished Runners-up in the South Dorset Bowls Association Ladies Friday League.

Our men's teams also won the President's Cup this year and also the Baker Trophy. Dean reached the National Finals this year as did Karen with her Dorset teammates.

We played a number of friendly matches this year, and we love to meet new people and make new friends. We even travelled to Devises BC and Swanage BC to play at their excellent facilities and we thank them for their hospitality.

Also our Annual Friendlies with our friends at Portland Borstal Officers Bowling Club. Yes, there is a bit of a rivalry between us, but we are good friends with our close neighbours and we always enjoy their company. 

Our Club Competitions have now been completed and all the trophies will be presented to the winners at our annual Presentation Evening held at the end of November at the 'Royal Manor Theatre'. Always a great evening out for our members and their guests.

So... to sum up the 2026 Season? This little club did Brilliantly. How we managed to fit it all in, I just don't know. But we did! And we did it with aplomb (Even if we do say so ourselves :-) 

Best thing is? We do it all again next year! With hopefully equal success or better.

DEAN & JAMES FAIL TO REACH THE ENGLISH MENS U25  PAIRS QUARTER FINAL AT LEAMINGTON SPA 2026

Sadly Dean and James were unable to progress in the Men's Junior Pairs Competition at the English National Finals at the home of Bowls in Royal Leamington Spa. Both lads, representing Dorset and their respective clubs valiantly managed to win the first round, against a tough duo of Harry Creighton and David Wilson of Cumbria. This is the first ever win at the National Finals for Dean having missed out the last time in the same competition.

Next up was Round 3 (Proper) The Lads played the versatile Suffolk pair of Ryan Hard and Joe Sims. Not an easy task, as the Suffolk duo played to their strengths thus ultimately winning the match. Dean said after the match... "They were a very good pair! I hope they go all the way, they absolutely deserve it" Kind words from Dean and magnanimous in defeat.

Dean and James were delighted to see the popular Katherine Rednall (English world Ladies Champion) watch their match on the side-lines. 

We as a club are very proud of Dean and James for a sterling attempt this year, and encourage the pair to have another shot next year and hopefully progress further. 

The Suffolk pair went on through to the next rounds and ended up eventual winners.

PVBC CELEBRATE FIRST EVER WIN OF THE SDBA PRESIDENT'S CUP 2026

After our recent success by winning the Baker Trophy here in Dorset, (See News report further down this page) we are happy to announce that we have had another great success… Today, we overcame a resilient Greenhill BC to win the coveted South Dorset Bowls Association ‘President’s Cup’

This is the first time we have ever won the Trophy and a fitting tribute, to not only the whole membership of our small and unassuming friendly Bowls Club, but also tribute to the SDBA President himself! Why? Well, because President Paul Honnor is also a member of our Club. So there was a little bit of irony as Paul not only played in the winning team today, he also presented the trophy to his team!

A superb effort winning two trophies this season. Congratulation to all who have played in this competition.

Pictured L to R :- Colin Ashworth, Phil Cheater, Phil Andrew, Mark Dabbs, Andy Philip, Phil Moon, Paul Honnor and Antony Carr.

Image by Alan Ashmore 02/08/2026

DEAN & JAMES WIN THE MENS UNDER 25 PAIRS COUNTY COMPETITON 2026

We are delighted to announce that our very own Dean Ballard, along with his County pairs partner James Roe of Dorchester have both won the Men's under 25 pairs county  cup competition. It was no easy task for the pair with  tough matches to get through. But they prevailed and now have another shot at the National Finals at the home of English Bowls in Leamington-Spa which they both played at in 2024 having won the same competition. Dean reflects on this recent success by saying, “It was a tough two games we played. Playing the talented Jack Surrey and Tom Gilley, we managed to weather the storm in that one! The win today was fantastic. Again, a really tough match. We stuck in and gave it our all until the very end. A really good shout out to James who has stuck by me for these 4 years! What an incredible achievement we have had. Here’s to many more!"

Both men representing their clubs with distinction. Congratulations Gentlemen. We are very proud of you!

PVBC WIN THE BAKER TROPHY

Portland Victoria Bowling Club win the Baker Cup for the second time in 4 years. The selected men's team played the semi final and the final all in one day at Dorchester Bowls Club. Getting through the Semi final was a tough ask, but the lads came good in the end. This set up an interesting final with the successful 'Weymouth and Melcombe Regis Bowls Club' who were currently at the top of the Dorset County League Division 1 (West) with Portland Victoria in a close second place. 

After a tense but solid performance we were the victors and were handed the impressive trophy yet again.

Pictured L to R:- Colin Slade, Stuart Scourfield, Martin Perrin, Charlie Clarke, Colin Ashworth, Paul Honor, Phil Cheater, Richard Bowman-Dyer (Holding the Trophy), Anthony Carr, Andy Philip, Phil Moon and Phil Andrew.

CLUB PURCHASES NEW LAWN MOWER

PORTLAND VICTORIA BC EARNS FIRST VICTORY OF THE 2026 COUNTY DIVISION 1 (W) LEAGUE

Monday the 27th of April 2026, our Men's Rink League of 3 rinks in the Dorset County Division 1 (West) became victors on home soil against Sherborne. The 10-0 win firmly cemented our intensions this season. With a final total score of 63 shots to 30, PVBC goes top of the league on shot aggregate. Yes, it is indeed early days of course, and the league standings do not really mean much this early in the season, but the positivity will help as the season continues. Next up for the Club, is in the South Dorset Bowls Association Division 1 League where we are away to the Club across Portland Harbour. 'Wellworthy'. Starting at 1800 Friday the 1st of May 2026. And will be the first game of our SDBA Season.

Our Ladies have a little longer to wait to start their SDBA season with their first game at Home on Wednesday the 20th May at 1800. The Ladies cannot wait to get started, but are fully aware of their tough opponents when Weymouth & Melcombe Ladies visit.

The 2026 Season has now started... from now on it will be Bowls Bowls Bowls... and in that order!