Women’s Major Singles Final
Denise Lidbury is once again Singles Champion after overcoming a very valiant Rita Downie in a high class final. Downie had the better of the early part of the game and looked on track for a maiden victory.
Above: Ladies Singles (l to r) - Rita Downie (runner up) and Denise Lidbury (winner)
However, as expected, Lidbury never gave up and gradually cut back the deficit. With the scores locked at 20 all it was anyone’s game. Lidbury showed her class over the final few ends playing the crucial bowl when needed.
She won the excellent match 25 -21 to add another title to her long list of achievements. Congratulations to both ladies for an outstanding display of bowls.
Men’s Major Singles
As the two ladies battled away in the final of their Singles Championship, the men played some round 1 and 2 matches in their Singles Championship.
Peter Bird again demonstrated he is in a very rich vein of form when he recorded a dominant win over former Champion Bruce Lidbury. Bird started in a real rush and very quickly raced to a 15 -4 lead. This became 22 – 5 before Lidbury was able to stem the tide and add some respectability to the scoreboard. But Bird was not to be denied and he ran out winner 31 – 18.
Above: (l to r) - Bruce Lidbury and Peter Bird
Above: (l to r) - Stuart Graham and Michael Kennedy
Stuart Graham and Michael Kennedy played a very exiting match that ended in a 31 – 30 win to Graham. Kennedy started the better but Graham regrouped to level at 14 all. Graham then had the better of play to move to a 25 – 17 lead before Kennedy came back to level at 27 all. Kennedy then went ahead 30 -27 only to find the last shot too hard to score. Graham won in a nail biting finish.
Ray Downey and Joe Cremona had a very even start to their clash before Downey pulled away to win 31 – 19. John Monks had the measure of Julian Penny from the start but had to work hard to win 31 – 14. Alf Winch had a similar match with Ron Cox also winning 31 – 14.
The final matches in Round 2 will be played on Saturday May 13.
