CLUB FINALS

This year's Club Finals were spread over several days principally because of members involvement in County Finals but also because members' holiday arrangements had to be brought forward because of the British Airways strike. The Open Singles saw Sean Lassman, last year's Men's Singles winner, and Malcolm Grime closely matched over the first 10 ends but, gradually, as Malcolm struggled with length, Sean took control and he ran out the winner by 21-13. The Men's Singles was a close encounter with both Terry Heath and Ric Newson looking for their fourth win in the event. Ric made the better start but scores were tied at 8 ends and again at 16. Ric then took a 17-15 lead but Terry won the next four ends to become Champion by 21-17. The Ladies' Singles was a see saw match. Sue Dixon led 6-2 and 10-4 before Janie Vickers pulled back to 10-9. When Sue scored seven unanswered shots to lead 17-9 she looked on course for her first title but a four from Janie dramatically changed the course of the game as she triumphed 21-17. The Two Wood Final between the 2018 and 2019 District Singles Champions was expected to be a close game but with Bob Goodyear struggling Ric Newson raced into a 12-0 lead and although Bob then scored on the next three ends he could not stem the tide and conceded the game when 17-7 down. The closest match was somewhat surprisingly the Mixed Pairs Final. Terry Heath and Alice Lovett started as most people's favourites against Jean Bordley and Ted Trantum but it was the latter pair which took the first two ends and although their opponents scored a five on the next end the match was tied at 6 ends. The lead then changed hands six times, with there never being more than two shots between the teams, before Jean and Ted picked up a three and a two to take the game into the penultimate end and give them a four shot cushion. At this stage Terry and Alice had won only six ends but a six put them two up playing the last end and when Terry nailed the jack the game looked all over. However, as he did for much of the match, Ted found a way and with one bowl left to play he had created the two shots necessary to take the game to an extra end. Sadly however, for him and Jean in attempting to win the game without the extra end his final bowl turned in one of Alice's to give her and Terry a 20-19 win. In the Men's Novice Singles Steve Devonish proved on the day too strong for Peter Nutley as he won 21-7 whilst The Ladies' Novice Singles, despite Barbara Goodyear leading after 10 ends saw Lesley Dumelow win 21-12