September 5th : Our Finals got underway with the NEIGHBOUR CUP Mens Triples and what an excellent tussle it was. Dropping a 6 on the very first end, eventual winners Rupert Aries, Brendan McGinty and Del Behenna did not get in front until the 12th end, when a 4 gave them a one shot advantage. Their opponents, Tony Burnell, Dennis Robertson and Tony Liggins, fought hard over the final six ends but were just beaten by 23 shots to 20 in a match worthy of a Final.
September 6th : Another very good Final for the PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP, saw Brendan McGinty and Mark Baxter race into a ten shot lead after 11 ends. A terrific fight back by Graham Barlow and John Stallwood followed and with 2 ends to play it was twelve shots apiece. A thrilling climax saw Brendan and Mark just get the better of their worthy opponents to lift the Cup by 16 shots to 12.
The VINCENT CUP 2 bowl pairs Final saw Lorraine Dare and Del Behenna up against Roger Lawson and Ray Rouse. Lorraine and Del had much the better of the early play resulting in an eleven shot lead after 11 ends. They maintained their advantage to finish with a 19 - 10 victory.
In the afternoon, Del Behenna was in action again, taking on Graham Barlow for the TOMBS PLATE and what a great game it turned out to be. Graham held a 6 shot lead, 9 - 3, after 8 ends but some strong play from Del saw him establish a 6 shot lead, 17 - 11 after the 15th end. Graham fought back tenaciously with some excellent bowling to level at 17 apiece, but Del just proved the stronger and finished 21 - 18 up in one of the best singles finals you will see.
September 7th : In a repeat of yesterdays Tombs Plate final, Graham Barlow once again played Del Behenna, this time in the CLUB HANDICAP Final in which Del had to concede a 6 shot start to Graham. Neither of them played as well as on the previous day, but Del had recovered the 6 shot concession after 6 ends and went on to s claim the trophy by 21 shots to 13.
The WIGHTMAN CUP two bowl singles final was between Richard Ferguson and a busy Del Behenna. Del had established a ten shot lead after 10 ends and although Richard came back to reduce the deficit to four at one stage, Del finished on top by 16 shots to 9.
Another excellent triples final, for the LEN AND PEGGY MACEY TROPHY, was fought out between Tony Burnell, Keith Puddephatt and John Stallwood and Chrissie Ford, Graham Barlow and Tony Liggins. Thank you,Chrissie, for substituting for the sadly injured Gail Walters.
Tony, Keith and John looked to have it in the bag with a 12 shot lead after 14 ends, but then managed to drop a seven on the 15th end and the deficit was just 3 with two ends remaining. Some good bowling followed from both teams over those last two ends, but Tony, Keith and John finally took the Trophy by 19 shots to 15.
The SAMUELS CUP Final was keenly contested game between Mark Baxter and Brendan McGinty. Mark took no prisoners early doors and was nine shots clear after 4 ends. He maintained his advantage until Brendan took eight shots over ends 11 to 14 to reduce the gap to just two shots. Mark dug deep, however, and three two shot
scores gave him the 6 shots needed to win by 21 shots to 13.
Finally, the MENS CHAMPIONSHIP final saw Del Behenna, seeking his fourth consecutive win in the event, up against Steve Kirby, for whom 2025 was his first season playing the game. Del had raced into a ten shot lead after 10 ends, but Steve wasn't done with and bowled well to be just four shots behind at 18 - 14. However, it was the defending champion who went on to win the match and retain his title by 21 shots to 14.
The presentation of trophies by our President Tony Lambert followed. A very big thank you to our markers for the singles contests, Richard Ferguson, Keith Puddephatt, Roger Lawson, Beryl Walford and Dennis Robertson.
An even bigger thank you to Tony Liggins and his helpers who produced an excellent green on which to play over the three days. Finally, thanks to all who came along to give their support to THEIR Club and our Finalists.
Thanks, Del Behenna, Competitions Secretary.
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