Haywards Heath and Beech Hurst bowlers enjoyed an eventful – and extended - finals weekend of contrasting fortunes in conditions ranging from near-Arctic to almost tropical.

Two of the competitions – the Men’s Championship and Terry Gasson Trophy – had to be postponed after reigning singles champion Andrew Croft (who was in both) suffered illness just days earlier.

And Elsie Wilding, who was defending her Veterans title and bidding to win back the Ladies’ Championship, chose to defy popular advice and go ahead with both her Sunday finals, played in hot and humid conditions, despite suffering a bad fall on her way to help Andrew following his illness.

Elsie defied the cuts, bruises and non-expert medical opinion from friends to win both finals in spectacular style, defeating Marge Breading in the Vets before barely allowing reigning singles champion Nicola Coles a look-in in the Ladies’ Championship.

And to add to her joy at the end of a momentous week, Elsie’s son, Peter, and daughter-in-law, Sarah-Jane, flew back from Spain in time to witness her triumphant finale.

Andrew won both of his finals, too, partnering Ken Starnes to victory in the Terry Gasson Trophy and defeating yours truly in the Men’s Championship, which had been postponed twice – firstly because of Andrew’s illness and then because of incessant rain.

But the most successful bowler of the “weekend” was Marge, who won the Sam Farmer Trophy and Mixed Pairs competition, with partner Tony Jarvis, on Shivering Saturday before adding the Handicap title on Sunny Sunday, when she also suffered her only finals defeat, in the Veterans.

The John Martin Shield was won by finals-day debutant Mike McQuillin, who defeated friend and neighbour Peter Huntley, while in the Drawn Pairs, Basil Larkins and Mark Howell (another playing his first club final) staged an impressive comeback to beat Nicola Coles and Stephen Banks – both of whom reached two finals.

Results:

Brief match reports appear in separate article