Report from the 88th Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament
Today (Sunday) sees the commencement of the 88th Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament, sponsored by Wendy and Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel). The opening, held at the Greens of Gildredge Park BC, traditionally involves the Mayor greeting visitors from out of town, wishing competitors good fortune and undertaking a brief challenge against the sponsor. Started in 1924 as an opportunity for local bowlers to challenge players from out of the area and to make new and enduring friendships, with over £4,000 in the Prize Fund the Eastbourne Tournament is rated 5* by Bowls England and is one of the premier bowls events on the South Coast. Last year’s ‘blue riband’ Mens Singles winner Charles Wright of Spartan and Lakeside BC (who picked up the winners prize of £1,000) will be attempting to retain his title and in doing so achieve something which has never been managed in the history of the event. He plays Mike Dooley of Eastbourne BC in the first round at Victoria Drive & Eastbourne Ladies BC, commencing at 10.00am.
Following the opening ceremony at Gildredge Park BC when players and visitors were welcomed to the event, the now traditional two wood ‘shoot out’ between the Mayor Cllr Pat Hearn and Tournament sponsor Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel) resulted in a (rare) narrow win for Neil. Played in glorious sunshine, the competitions began with two rounds of the ’Blue Riband’ Mens Singles. Five former Champions were in the field, with reigning champion Charles Wright (Spartan & Lakeside BC) looking to achieve a unique feat of retaining his title. A tough match against Mike Dooley (Eastbourne BC) was won by Charles 21-14 but later in the second round he conceded his match against Neil Potter (Horsham BC) due to heat exhaustion when trailing 11-8. Another to fall in the second round was well known local bowler Francois Celada who succumbed to Jono Dalton (Popes Mead BC) 21-15. Better fortune for David Richardson (Downsman BC) who marched into the third round having beaten George Murray (Gildredge Park BC) 21-6 and Paul Graham (West Wimbledon BC) 21-11. Also through is Peter Jackson (Eastbourne BC) beating Roger Cavie (Parade BC) 21-9 and David Holmes (Wrotham BC) 21-16. The third remaining champion reaching the third round is Andrew Albon (Gildredge Park BC) who beat Allan Fleming (Bexhill BC) 21-13 and Michael Rew (Deanland BC) 21-12. Third Round of Mens Singles matches take place on Tuesday at Gildredge Park BC and Hampden Park BC commencing at 10.00am. The Ladies Singles commence today at Eastbourne BC and Hampden Park BC. The Mens Pairs will also be commencing at those venues together with Gildredge Park BC – all starting at 10.00am.
The second day of the Tournament was again blessed with sunshine as Eastbourne lived up to its description as ‘Suntrap of the South.’ Featured events were the Ladies Singles and the Mens Pairs. Two former champions and long term adversaries, Rachel Mackriell (Eastbourne BC) and Joan Jones (unattached) have fought their way through and will meet in the quarter finals at Victoria Drive and Eastbourne Ladies BC (commencing 10.00am today). Former finalist Cathy Greenwood (Parade BC) is also through. A high class field in the Mens Pairs has seen some notable scalps taken, with fancied duo Charles Wright (Spartan & Lakeside BC) and Keith Renwick (Gullivers BC) falling in the second round to Rod Lewis (Eastbourne BC) and Chris Antiss (Knighton Victoria BC). Two former singles champions David Richardson (Downsman BC) and Peter Jackson (Eastbourne BC) made another fancied team to fall in the second round where they met the Popes Mead BC duo of Jono Dalton and Kev Gravenor. Mens Pairs action continues today at Victoria Drive and Eastbourne Ladies BC and Gildredge Park BC commencing at 2.00pm. Other action today includes Mens Singles, Ladies Pairs and Mens Triples
The third day of the Tournament featured action in the Ladies Singles which is being dominated by local bowlers. Linda Stanley (Eastbourne BC) beat South Derbyshire BC visitor Mary Ronald 21-12 and winning through to the semi-final where she meets Gill Henty (Victoria Drive & Eastbourne Ladies BC) who beat Shelley Brennan, another visitor from South Derbyshire, 21-12. The Battle between former champions Rachel Mackriell (Eastbourne BC) and Joan Jones (Unattached) went in favour of Rachel 21-9 and she will meet Julia Savin (Parade BC) who defeated her clubmate and former finalist Cathy Greenwood (Parade BC) 21-13. In the Mens Singles, former Champions Andrew Albon (Gildredge Park BC) and Peter Jackson (Eastbourne BC) are through to the last 16 with David Cornwell and Mike Taylor (both Eastbourne BC) providing the other local interest. Action continues today with Mens Singles and Ladies Pairs at Gildredge Park BC commencing at 10.00am. Other action today sees the commencement of the Mixed Triples competition at 2.00pm when teams will be in action at Gildredge Park BC, Hampden Park BC and Parade BC
The fourth day of the Tournament featured action in the Mens Singles where three local bowlers have made it through to the quarter finals. Champion in 2015, Andrew Albon (Gildredge Park BC) , Peter Jackson (Eastbourne BC) who won in 2012 and Mike Taylor (Eastbourne BC) providing the local interest. The Ladies Pairs has been dominated by local players with Jan Furley and Pauline Jackson (Eastbourne BC) meeting Ursula Fenner and Phyllis Stevens (Victoria Drive & Eastbourne Ladies BC) due to meet in one semi-final and the all Eastbourne BC other semi-final being contested between the teams of Gillie Hill and Mary Bray and Ellen McGuinness Rachel Mackriell. The Mixed Triples event has commenced and featured a ‘full house’ 9 shots for the Eastbourne BC trio of Fred Frensham, Beth Clarke and Rachel Mackriell in their first round match. Each year the timetable for play is amended to facilitate participation in multiple competitions. For details of todays matches contact Gildredge Park BC (tel: 01323 731451) and for results to date visit the Tournament website www.eobt.club The Tournament Social Evening takes place tonight at the clubhouse of Eastbourne BC (Saffrons Road) where there will be live music from regular popular entertainment duo for the event ‘The Likely Lads’ and the Tournament Raffle will take place. Entry is free and all are welcome. Finals will take place tomorrow (Friday) at Gildredge Park BC commencing at 10.00am and the Mens Final (commencing at 3.00pm) will be broadcast ‘live’ on the Bowls Zone website. This will be followed by the trophy presentation and prize giving by Deputy Mayor Cllr Md. Harun Miah and sole sponsors of the event Wendy and Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel) where the Mens Singles Champion will receive the £1,000 first prize.
Finals day of the 88th Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament (Sponsored by Wendy and Neil Kirby – Langham Hotel) takes place today on the greens of Gildredge Park BC. The ‘Blue Riband’ Mens Singles semi-finals commence at 10.00am when Carl Dyer (Sidley Martlets BC) meets Phil Harrod (Bexhill BC) and Champion in 2015, Andrew Albon (Gildredge Park BC) meets Mike Taylor (Eastbourne BC) guaranteeing local interest in the final – which will be shown ‘live’ on the Bowls Zone Facebook site. The Ladies Singles will be an all Eastbourne BC affair with Linda Stanley taking on multiple times Champion Rachel Mackriell. The Ladies Pairs sees Ursula Fenner and Phyllis Stevens (Victoria Drive & Eastbourne Ladies BC) meeting Gillie Hill and Mary Bray (Eastbourne BC). In the Mens Pairs Martin Mapp (Marden BC) and Graham Bridges (Tunbridge Wells Grosvenor BC) meet Paul Wilson (unattached) and Allan Craig (Eastbourne BC) whilst Trevor Pearce (Spartan & Lakeside BC) meet Brian Foskett (Worthing BC) and T High. The Mens Triples sees Alec Martin and Chris Surman (both White Rock BC) with MartinPelosi (Lindfield BC) take on Andrew Albon and Andy Browning (both Gildredge Park BC) with Chris Antiss (Knighton Victoria BC). The Mixed Triples sees Gildredge Park BC trio of Ros Pickering. Geoff Wells and Duncan Pickering take on Dave Richardson (Downsman BC), Julia Fordham and Barrie Fordham (Polegrove BC). Each year the timetable for play is amended to facilitate participation in multiple competitions. For details of todays matches contact Gildredge Park BC (tel: 01323 731451) and for results to date visit the Tournament website www.eobt.club They will be followed by the trophy presentation and prize giving by Deputy Mayor Cllr Md. Harun Miah and Simon Brown representing sole sponsors of the event Wendy and Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel).
Finals day of the 88th Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament (Sponsored by Wendy and Neil Kirby – Langham Hotel) saw some excellent matches take place in front of a crowd of over 120 spectators at Gildredge Park BC. The ‘Blue Riband’ Mens Singles semi-finals saw Carl Dyer (Sidley Martlets BC) edge past Phil Harrod (Bexhill BC) 21-19 and Champion in 2015, Andrew Albon (Gildredge Park BC) beat Mike Taylor (Eastbourne BC) 21-20. The final saw Andrew emerge victorious in front of an enthusiastic home club crowd 21-15 taking the title and the £1,000 winners prize. Andrew later dedicated his victory to his Grandparents Al and Joan Albon who sadly passed away last year. The Ladies Singles final was an all Eastbourne BC affair and saw another intense tussle with Linda Stanley taking the title 21-20 against Rachel Mackriell. The Ladies Pairs final saw Gillie Hill and Mary Bray (Eastbourne BC) matched with Ursula Fenner and Phyllis Stevens (Victoria Drive & Eastbourne Ladies BC). It was the Eastbourne BC duo who won 26-11 having lead throughout. In the Mens Pairs regular visitors Martin Mapp (Marden BC) and Graham Bridges (Tunbridge Wells Grosvenor BC) met Brian Foskett (Worthing BC) and Trevor High. Another close fought encounter saw the Worthing duo emerge victorious 22-18. In the Mens Triples final Alec Martin and Chris Surman (both White Rock BC) and MartinPelosi (Lindfield BC) took on Andrew Albon and Andy Browning (both Gildredge Park BC) with Chris Antiss (Knighton Victoria BC). Following some heavy scoring early ends it was Alec, Chris and Martin who took the title 23-13. The Mixed Triples final saw the Gildredge Park BC trio of Ros Pickering. Geoff Wells and Duncan Pickering take on Dave Richardson (Downsman BC), Julia Fordham and Barrie Fordham (Polegrove BC). It was the visitors who triumphed, winning emphatically 34-7. Full details of match scores throughout the Tournament can be found on the website www.eobt.club The trophy presentation and prize giving were conducted by Tournament President Vince Smith and Simon Brown (General Manager) representing the sponsors. Particular thanks were given to the host clubs, their members and officials, the markers, umpires, green stewards, catering and bar helpers, the ‘all weather’ car park attendants at Headquarters (Gildredge Park BC) and to the sponsors and advertisers. Lewis Parnell, representing Bowls Zone, was thanked for his efforts in the innovative transmission of ‘live’ coverage of the finals on their website. Whilst some teething problems occurred, he agreed to visit again next year to provide coverage of the event. A collection was undertaken on behalf of the JPK Project at the social evening held on Thursday at Eastbourne BC and at the Finals presentation which Tournament Organiser Mike Taylor was delighted to report had raised £150. He also thanked Gildredge Park BC and Eastbourne BC for their donations to Tournament funds. The 89th Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament takes place commencing 8th July 2018 and entry forms can be downloaded from the Tournament website: eobt.club or obtained from the Entry Secretary – Mike Taylor, 56 Willingdon Park Drive, Eastbourne BN22 0BT tel: 01323 505916 e-mail: mct50@hotmail.co.uk