CLUB SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP
for the
Len Matthews trophy
The club's premier singles competition, for the Len Matthews trophy, kicked off on Monday 21st June. Eighteen entrants were divided into groups of three with each playing two games of twelve ends The six group winners plus the three best runners-up progressed to the second round which was played a couple of days later. The format was the same as the first round but with the group winners and the best runner-up going forward. The four bowlers who contested the semi-finals the following day were Peter Barker who played Keith Boak and Steve Moore who played Mark Richards.
The final was played on Friday afternoon.between Peter Barker and Mark Richards. On a hot sunny afternoon, around fifteen spectators were present to watch a real battle. After nineteen ends, Mark held a 13-11 advantage. Peter then won five consecutive ends to lead 18-13 and looked to have the match under control. However, Mark then won three ends to level the score. On the next end, Peter scored a couple and, on the next was holding the shot which would have given him the title but Mark produced a superb bowl with his last wood to keep the match alive. On the next end, the thirtieth played, the situation was repeated but, on this occasion, Mark could not respond and so Peter took the match 21-19 and, with it, the title for the second time.
Below are the three groups that contested the second round:
And here are the semi-finalists:
Club captain John London with the two finalists after the match.
THREE BOWLS PAIRS COMPETITION
Fourteen pairs took part in a three bowls pairs competition on the morning of 27th May. Each pair played three games of forty minutes' duration. The photograph below, taken during the post game lunch at The Jolly Sailor shows club captain John London with the runners-up Elizabeth and Peter Harris and the winners Mark Richards and Richard Walker.
SAINT GEORGE'S DAY COMPETITION
LIONS versus BARBARIANS
In spite of grey skies and a poor weather forecast, the first competition of 2021 was played on 23rd April at Pedras. The Lions were captained by Dave Austin and the Barbarians by Bob Ferguson. A mix of pairs and triples was played with the result decided by aggregate shots, victory going to the Barbarians 110-67.
The best performing team for the Lions was Dave Austin, Lynette Priddey and Maggie Williams
While the best of the Barbarians were Mary Mullane and Nick Gooch who thrashed their opponents so comprehensively that your editor has been heavily bribed not to either name them or publish the score.
The new champion Peter Barker receives the trophy.