Report from the 2021 Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament

Under bright blue cloudless skies with a light cooling breeze, the finals of the 91^st Eastbourne Open Bowling Tournament took place at the Eastbourne BC greens in front of an appreciative crowd.  Competitors in the four competitions comprising the Tournament had been battling throughout the week on the greens around the town.

The ‘Blue Riband’ Singles event saw reigning Champion (2019) Colin Nutton (White Rock BC) take on local two-time former Champion Andrew Albon.  The game was very evenly matched and featured some high class bowling on a tricky rink.  Colin emerged victorious 21-18 and became the first player in the events history to retain the Singles title.

Colin had earlier teamed up with White Rock BC club-mate Alec Martin in the Pairs final where they met Garry ‘Big Red’ Olver and Tony ‘TC’ Clarkson (both Worthing Pavilion BC).  Another quality game saw the Worthing Pavilion duo start strongly and  emerge victorious 24-13.

Eastbourne BC trio Simon Knight, Mike Dooley and Gordon Brown fought their way through a quality field to meet Jason Walter (Buxted Park BC), Jono Dalton (Popes Mead BC) and Paul Ward (Worthing Pavilion BC) in a gripping final packed with

Good shots by all of the players involved.  With the score 12-12 after 18 ends the extra end saw great drama as ‘home’ skip Gordon played a perfect bowl to hold shot with one bowl from opposing skip Paul to come.  After considerable deliberation Paul played a similarly spectacular bowl to take shot and the match 13-12.

The Mixed Triples final saw Eastbourne BC Mens Captain (and Tournament Organiser) Mike Taylor team up with the Polegrove duo of Miss Rachel Mackriel and Miss Nina Allbut to compete with the Gildredge Park BC trio of Gill and Andy Seymour, skipped by Robert Ramsden.  In another close game that saw the teams level after 16 ends at 14-14, it was Mike’s team that took the final two ends to win the match 17-14.

At the prize giving, effected by the Mayor and Tournament President Vince Smith the local clubs and their members were praised for their efforts and hospitality through the week.  The Organisers were thanked on behalf of the players by Jono Dalton and the crowd were addressed by Eastbourne Mayor (Cllr P Rodehan) who congratulated all concerned on a successful event and said Eastbourne’s place as ‘Suntrap of The South’ had been duly evidenced.  He looked forward to seeing the visitors to the town return and said they would be assured a warm welcome.   Flowers were presented to Mrs Rodehan and to Jill Parker (JPK Project – the Tournament’s locally supported Charity).  Jill was also presented with a donation for £300 raised from the Charity match held at Hampden Park BC and sales of Mike Taylor’s poetry book ‘Ramblings Of A Socially Distant Mind.’  The closing address confirmed that the event, which first ran in 1924, retained its original objective….’to enable local players to compete against players from out of the town and make new and lasting friendships’ which was applauded.