Fabulous Finals weekend at Madeira Bowls Club

Ann Maloney and Andy Lock, the Competitions Secretaries should be congratulated on arranging such an enjoyable event – it must have been a logistical jigsaw given that several competitors were in up to 3, 4 or 5 events.

There was standing room only for many of the finals and the spectators were treated to excellent bowling and some nail-biting conclusions. Several of the competitions are played in the name of past members – it was a good opportunity to remember them.

On Friday, Andy Lock won a close encounter in the Francis Newton Open Handicap Singles against Graham Ellis, who himself went on later in the day to win the Bob Caddy 2-wood Open Singles against Jan Roberts.

Janine Orchard, in her first of five finals, won the Bob Burch Open Singles by just 3 shots over Catherine King and then went on to win Ladies Grace Mathews 2-wood singles against Janet Grundy.

On Saturday morning, the ladies and men’s pairs competitions were played concurrently - they were entertaining to watch but both comfortably won by Sue Harriott and Annette Bister (declared lady of the match for those playing with her) and Andy Lock and Mark Perrott respectively.

Well done to the pairs teams of Margaret Mahon and Lin Hambly and Nick Cole and Ron Cook for reaching the finals. The ladies singles Championship, always a highlight, was played after lunch between Sue Harriott and Dee Williams . Dee did well in her first attempt at this final but it was a challenge against the experience of Sue who won the event.

The afternoon concluded with a win by two sets for Janine Orchard and her team of Catherine King and Jan Roberts playing against Sue Harriott (in her third game of the day) and Penny Preece and Janet Grundy.

Some of the closest games were played on Sunday. The Keith Ewins Open Self Select Triples was decided on the last end. The game was nip and tuck throughout but the winners, Andy Lock, Graham Clarkson and Mark Perrott, went into the last end 19 shots to 20 down and managed to pick up two shots for a win.

The Men’s Singles Championship between Chris Read and Dave Mansell, probably both in their first final in this event, was equally exciting. Chris Read went ahead initially but Dave Mansell fought back to 19 shots to 20 before Chris could pull off his win. Both games were very exciting for the spectators.

The afternoon and the finals concluded with the Frank Deves Mixed Pairs between Sue Harriott and Mark Perrott playing against Nick Cole and Catherine King. It was an entertaining game to watch but a comfortable win for Harriott and Perrott.

The Dora Wilson 2 wood Triples was played alongside that. Janine Orchard (in her 5th final) and her team of Annette Bister (who has done well in her first year of competition at Madeira) and Jan Roberts were a challenge for Jean Rainton and her team of Dee Williams and Lin Halpin.

Madeira was buzzing at the weekend. It was great to see the event so well supported by the acting Club President Jacky Howle and Club Chairman Dave Moody and many spectators not forgetting all those who played their part, whether by marking or catering, to ensure its success.