Bowls Tournament Report 1931 – 8th running. NEED FOR MORE GREENS

Saturday afternoon’s showers failed to damp the spirits of the finalists in the Bowls Tournament, played at the Redoubt. The final of the singles provided an even contest, both A.J. Bibb (Newtown) and T. Scoular (Ilford) playing well. For some time Scoular was leading, but his opponent rallied to win by 21-15.
Particular interest was aroused in the semi-finals of the pairs, two of the players, G. Doull and J.A. Taylor, both of the Gildredge Park Club, being well known in local bowling circles. Both the Eastbourne men bowled well, but were beaten by 25-18.
In the final, the Sussex pair, W. Moore and G. Jackson (St. Leonards) were completely off form, and their opponents, G. Wright (Eastleigh) and E. Brand (Richmond) had little or no difficulty in defeating them by 30-14.
The Luncheon
The president of the Tournament, Councillor L. MacLachlan, presided over a company numbering nearly 90 at the luncheon on Saturday.
‘The Eastbourne Open Bowling Tournament’ was proposed by Mr. J. Ward (chairman of the Sussex Bowling Association), who tendered his congratulations to the president and the hon. secretary, Mr. W. S. Gardiner, on the success of the tournament. The speaker congratulated Mr. R. Fish (Eastbourne) on his excellent play.
In reply, the Chairman thanked the Sussex Bowling Association for its support. He, the speaker, thought this year’s tournament had been the most successful they had ever held, both with regard to the weather and the improved standard of play.
Proposing ‘The Visitors’, the Mayor thanked the Committee for their splendid work they were doing for the town. He paid particular tribute to the work of the president.
Mr. J.T. Dalton (Margate) responded.
Prizes Presented
In the evening the prizes were presented at the Cavendish Club House, both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor being present.
Mr. Bibb, winner of the gold cup, said he had played in all the eight tournaments, and hoped to be able to do so next year.
Speaking of the value of bowling greens, Mr. J. Moore (St. Leonards) said that in his own town they found it impossible to accommodate all those who desired to play bowls, although they had six large greens.
Councillor L. MacLachlan proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor for his work in connection with the tournament, and presented him with a model aeroplane cigarette lighter, on behalf of the committee.
In reply the Mayor said he would like to give them all the bowling greens they need, but there was a need for strict economy.
During the evening musical items were contributed by Miss Jarman, Miss Sylvia Welling, Mr. R. Galloway, and Mr. J.T. Parsons.
The prize list was as follows:-
Singles
1. voucher for £15, gold cup and replica, and set of woods – A.J. Bibb (Newtown)
2. voucher for £10 10s., and ‘W.T. James’ bowl – T. Scoular (Ilford)
3. and 4. value five guineas each. – A.V. Walkley (Horsham) and R. Fish (Eastbourne)
Four prizes, three guineas each.- W.M. Price (Croydon), P.J. Foster (Preston Club, Brighton), A.C. Shilston (Seaford), and J.M. Boyd (Eastbourne).
Eight prizes, 1 ½ guineas each.- W. Chapman (Leicester), T.J. Johnson (Newport), W. Bullett (Hove), A.K. Woodhouse ((Eastbourne), L. Baker (Reading), H. Govas (Richmond), G.C. Pope (Leicester), and F.H. Barton (Hampden Park).
Special prizes – Member of local Club who goes farthest in addition to other prize, ‘A.J. Owen’ Cup and voucher, two guineas – R. Fish (Eastbourne).
Highest score against winner to player not receiving any other prize (voucher 1½ guineas) – D.J. Fisher (Streatham Hill).
Pairs
1. ‘Angles’ and ‘Towner’ cups and voucher (six guineas each) – G. Wright (Eastleigh) and E. Brand (Richmond).
2. ‘ Licensed Victuallers” Cup and ‘Goddard’ cup and voucher(three guineas each). – G. Jackson and J.W. Moore (St. Leonards, White Rock).
3 and 4. (1½ guineas each) – G. Doull and J.A. Taylor (Eastbourne, GildredgePark). J. Ginger and R.W. Pickering (Watford).
Special Prize – Three guineas (1½ guineas each) to pair from the same club going the farthest – J.W. Moore and G. Jackson (St. Leonards, White Rock).
Fate of Local Players
Eastbourne players fared as follows in the closing rounds:-
Singles (Semi-final) – T. Scoular (Ilford) beat R. Fish (Eastbourne) 21-12.
Pairs, Section ‘A’ (4th round).- H.G. Cuckney (Wimbledon) and A. Hare (Luton) beat W. Llewellyn and J. Webb (Cavendish) 34-15. J.W. Moore and G. Jackson (St Leonards) beat C.C. Greener (Worcester) and A.J. Carter (Eastbourne) 24-20. A.J. Taylor and G. Doull (GildredgePark) beat J. Savidge and J.W. Speight (Leighton) 20-18. A.J. Bibb (Newtown) and W.S. Gardiner (Eastbourne) beat J. Storrer and A.G. Quinten (Enfield) 27-15. 5th round (semi-final of Section)- J.A. Taylor and G. Doull (GildredgePark) beat A.J. Bibb and W.S. Gardiner (Eastbourne) 23-19. Semi-final – J.W. Moore and G. Jackson (St. Leonards) beat J.A. Taylor and G. Doull (GildredgePark) 25-18. Section ‘B’ (4th round):- G. Wright (Eastleigh) and E. Brand (Richmond) beat A.E. Smith and H. Woodall (Gildredge Park) 22-19.