03 Oct Rose Bowl Glory for Hodgson in Stunning Underdog Triumph
Bowls eh? It never stops surprising us. And yesterday at Netherton Con, we were treated to one of those truly special days, a final that was everything that’s brilliant about bowls – drama, tension, underdogs, and glorious comebacks.
John Hodgson is the 2025 Veterans League Rose Bowl champion, and what a story it is. He beat Andy Wike 21-18 in a cracking final, but make no mistake — this wasn’t a one-off. Hodgson didn’t just win the final, he battled through three top-tier opponents in one day to lift the most prestigious individual title on the Veterans League calendar. Giant-killing? That doesn’t quite cover it.
Let’s set the scene. Thursday, October 2nd — a grey sky above, the air just starting to feel like autumn. Finals Day. John, representing Division 2 side Shepley, walked into the draw as the outsider in every round. His opponents? All from Division 1. All top 20 singles players in the 10-Man League. All playing off scratch. John had just a +4 handicap — a slight head start, but hardly a game-changer.
But as we often say in bowls, it’s not about where you start. It’s about how you finish.
Quarter-Final: Hodgson vs Hirst – the comeback begins
First up, the big one. Graham Hirst of Lowerhouses — a two-time Rose Bowl champion, chasing a historic third. He’s been in terrific form too, winning the Over-70s KO and Pairs KO, and helping his team to the Division 1 title.
The match was tight early doors, 12–12 after 15 ends. Then Hirst turned up the pressure, racing to a 19–13 lead. Most would have folded. Not John. He clawed it back — six brilliant ends later, it was 20 across. And on the final end? Hodgson held his nerve. 21–20. A classic.
Semi-Final: Poulter pushed, but Hodgson holds firm
Next, it was Tim Poulter of Clayton West — a seasoned Inter-District regular. Tim had looked solid in his 21–17 quarter-final win over Paul Rangeley, and when he went 16–14 up in this one, you thought he might have turned it.
But again, Hodgson rallied. From 16–14 down, he powered to 19–16. Poulter dug in and made it 19–19, but on the 25th end, John found the winner. 21–19 and into the final.
The Final: Wike leads, but Hodgson dazzles
And so to the final, against Andy Wike of Longwood — fresh off a 21–14 win in his semi and already a winner this season of the John Hoyle Trophy. On form, on paper, and in the early stages, Wike looked the man to beat — 12–6 up and cruising.
Then, the turning point. John got back in on the 10th end, and from there it was simply superb bowling. He won 14 of the next 15 ends, dropped just one point, and raced to a 20–13 lead. Andy wasn’t done — he pulled back to 20–18 — but Hodgson, calm as you like, finished it on the 27th end. 21–18, and the title was his.
A champion’s performance
It was the perfect ending to a fantastic Finals Day, and to the Veterans League season. Grit, drama, momentum swings — everything you want in a great game of bowls. And let’s not forget the green — Netherton Con green looked brilliant and played just as well. Credit to the greenkeeper and a big thank you to everyone at Netherton for their help on the day. Thank you too to our match day referee Ray Tunnacliffe and also our generous sponsor Paul Rangeley.
But the final word has to go to John Hodgson. His first major competition win — earned through quiet confidence, measured play, and a real touch of class.
Well done, John. Absolutely brilliant.
