Report from the 2012 Tournament
After six days of keenly contested competition, the finals of the 83rd running of the Eastbourne Men’s Open (sponsored by Langham Hotel) were held at Gildredge ParkBC in front of a crowd of in excess of 100 spectators. Seven years after he last reached the singles Final, Peter Jackson (Eastbourne BC) overcame a 100+ field (which included eight former champions) to win the Blue Riband event for the first time, beating Kieron Packham (Motcombe Gardens BC) in an all local final by 21 shots to10. In the semi-finals, Peter had beaten Ted Vidler (Gildredge ParkBC) by 21 shots to 11 whilst Keiron beat Ted’s brother Alan Vidler (Tarring Priory BC) by 21 shots to 12. The Vidler brothers received some consolation when they combined to win the Pairs title, beating Chris Surman and Adam Oakman (White Rock BC) by 22 shots to 8. The Mens Triples was won by Trevor Pearce ( Bexhill BC ) John Orchard (Spartans BC ) and Alan Fleming (Bexhill BC), who beat James Henty (Spartans BC), Brian Henty and John Pannett (Victoria Drive & Eastbourne Ladies BC) by 21 shots to 12. The final of the Mixed Triples where Lorraine Milburn, Chris Surman and Adam Oakman (White Rock BC) defeated the 2010 winners Gill Hill (Saffron Ladies), John Blackman (Unattached) and Ken Hill (EastbourneBC) by 16 shots to 13 was the closest of the day with the scores level on the 6th, 10 th, 12th and 14th ends. The last four ends were shared 2 apiece but went to the White RockBC team by 5 shots to 2, giving them the win.
Trophies and prizes were presented by The Worshipful the Mayor of Eastbourne Cllr Mike Thompson and Wendy & Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel – Sponsors).