New champions add to finals weekend spectacle

It was out with the old(ish) and in with the new at this year’s competition finals, with four bowlers winning their first finals-weekend trophies, new winners of both the men’s and ladies’ singles titles and new names on the mixed-pairs and veterans’ cups.

Marge won the Ladies’ Championship in dramatic style, overturning Anne’s 15-3 advantage to ease home 21-17, while in the Men’s Championship, Clive – in his first competition final – kept his head to pip Tony Jarvis on the 25th end.

There were also first trophies for Bill, who also staged a sensational comeback to beat Rowland in the Handicap, Bob, who beat Mark Howell in the John Martin Shield, and Graham Aldis, who won the last five ends of the Sam Farmer Plate to deny Stephen the chance of a second trophy of the weekend.

Stephen had won the Drawn Pairs with Neville in torrential rain on the Saturday, beating Marge and Mark Gooch.

Neville also won the Veterans two-wood competition for the first time on the Sunday, in much better conditions. But he and Nicola were thwarted in their latest attempt to win the Mixed Pairs, losing 15-12 to Linda and Peter.

Afternoon cancelled

The Handicap, John Martin Shield and Drawn Pairs all went ahead on Saturday morning, despite persistent heavy rain. But the afternoon sessions were cancelled, resulting in a full day of play on Sunday.

The weather added an extra complication to the task of competitions secretary Maurice, under the supervision of Basil, who had to deal with one unplayable green on Saturday and another on the Sunday – while creating a schedule that accommodated those who were in more than one final.

But it all ran smoothly in the end, and both deserve credit and thanks for their efforts.

Thanks, too, to those who supplied photos: Elaine Larkins, Jennie Evans, Mark Howell, Maurice Benson Jane Dalton, Jenni Thomas and Capri Huntley.

Summaries of each final will appear in the News section in due course.