THE BRITISH PROFESSIONAL CROWN GREEN BOWLING ASSOCIATION

On what began as a dry evening, there was a good crowd there for the start, with around 250 turning out in the end.

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To start proceedings, Noel Burrows had yet another close match, just edging over the line 31 – 29 with Lee Turner who despite getting 2 start and accounting for Chris Morrison in an earlier round started as 2/1 outsider on the game. Lee had led almost all the way through the game without managing to get away from Noel and at 29 all on a longish mark, Lee led a reasonable bowls less than a yard off. Noel put his lead about 18 inches away & when Lee failed to improve, coupled up for game. In the meantime, Andy Cairns was exploiting one of his favourite marks with Chris MacDonald, who did not enjoy the best of fortune against some good bowling from Andy, who ran out a comfortable 31 – 17 winner to move into 7/4 favourite for the event, despite the fact his next opponent was to be Noel Burrows.

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The next two quarters saw some excellent bowling in the worst of the weather, when for 40 minutes, the heavens opened. Kevan Shaw who had started the night as bookies favourite seemed to struggle with his grip on his bowls, whilst Paul Wilson played well to his own jack, in particular exploiting a mark he has found up the side of the green to open up a few chalks lead. Kevan however battled on and slowly closed the gap and but for some deadly striking by Paul, could even have won. Kevan led out at 29 –30 and having made a poor lead, corrected with his second to lie with one good bowl for 30 across. Paul did not hesitate and knocked it off for game. The last quarter also played in driving rain saw Stuart Mort exploiting his superior green knowledge with Mike Tunstall, pinching chalks here and there and despite a late rally from Mike to close to within 3 at 27 – 30, Stuart played a good bowl for up.

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The semi’s were both reasonably close games, with the game between Noel & Andy probably just being the pick. Both had little runs with the jack, but neither could establish superiority until Noel just broke away in the last street to edge out Andy 31 – 26. The other game saw Stuart yet again using his green knowledge, particularly on the up hill marks and whilst Paul battled right to the line, he could not reproduce his form from the last 8, with Stuart easing to a 31 –23 victory.

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So to the final, with two panel regulars duelling for the first prize of £1000.00.

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The green was now dry again and I must just add at this point, it was in excellent order, with not even the slightest puddle appearing during the torrential downpour. Noel probably started the better of the two, being just in front for most of the game, with both players playing some excellent bowls to keep the crowd interested. The atmosphere was tremendous with plenty of the spectators being prepared to shout for their money. The players just got on with the job and neither could break away because they were both playing well.

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However, as the game wore on, Noel seem to get better and playing some really good bowls, managed to break away from Stuart in the early 20’s to establish a few chalks lead, 25 – 19. Stuart was not done yet and switching the game to an up and down mark, clawed his way back with the some superb play to level at 25 all. The next end was the crucial one, with Noel playing a good lead against Stuart’s shortish bowl, only for Stuart to play the perfect bowl, resting both Noels bowl & the jack to finish nearest, no more that 10 inches past with short bowls in the land. Noel had a good look, thought about it and struck, taking Stuarts bowl clean out to lead 26 – 25. From there, he scored the next couple of ends and although Stuart did get in again, Noel closed out at the next end for a deserved 31 – 26 victory.

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The prizes where presented by Phylis & Jackie Edwards, whose son Billy Joe was tragically killed in a road accident at only 17 three years ago.