Report from the 2013 Tournament
Dave Richardson triumphs for third Singles win.
Under glorious blue skies, the Finals of the 84th Eastbourne Mens Open Bowls Tournament sponsored by Langham Hotel took place at Gildredge ParkBC attended by in excess of 100 spectators enjoying both the high standard of bowling and the sunshine.
No fewer than 3 of the 4 semi-finalists in the ‘blue riband’ Singles event were former champions. Francois Celada, winner in 2006, took on Martin Biggleston, 2008 winner in a very hard fought encounter. Both players are members of EastbourneBC. Francois took an early lead and seemed in control at 10 ends when he was 12 shots to 4 in front. A mini revival took place and Martin narrowed the deficit to 16 -11, but Francois seemed to have stopped the slide when he scored 2 shots on the 17th end to take him within 3 shots of victory. Again Martin rallied, winning 5 of the next 6 ends to tie the scores at 19 – 19 and then scored the 2 shots required to complete a remarkable fight back winning 21 – 19. In the second semi-final, Phil Saunders (Spartan BC) took on Dave Richardson (Popes Mead BC), previous winner in 2005 and 2010. Dave proved too strong on the day running out the winner by 21 shots to 8.
In the Final, Dave bowled superbly, emerging victorious over Martin by 21 shots to 9 and becoming only the third player in the history of the event to have won the title on three separate occasions. The others are Jim Preston (EastbourneBC)and Chris Field (Victoria Drive &EBL BC) who were both competing again this year.
In the Pairs competition, the reigning champions, brothers Ted and Alan Vidler (GildredgePark / Tarring Priory) met the Royal Sovereign duo of Ian Bratthammer and John Kinnard in the semi-final and powered to a convincing 24 shots to 11 win. In the second semi-final Phil Wade and Carl Dyer (Spartan) played Andy Butler and Adrian Wainwright (Uckfield). After the 9th end when the score was 6 shots each, Phil and Carl pulled away to lead 17 – 11 at 18 ends, but in a sudden reversal of fortunes then lost 7 shots in the next 2 ends to be 17 – 18 down going into the last. Phil and Carl secured their place in the final with a 2 shot pick up to win an exciting game 19-18.
In the Final, the pair from Spartan overcame Ted and Alan, the title changing hands with a score of 16 shots to 6.
Phil played his second final of the day in the Triples where accompanying Willie Woods and Mike Cropper (Sidley Martlets) they met the Ken Hill (Eastbourne) team of Bob Jones (Eastbourne) and John Blackman (unattached). In a game in which both sides scored 7 shots in an end, the locals looked defeated with 4 ends to go with the score 12 – 20 but won all of them to take the title 22 – 20.
The Mixed Triples final was contested between teams comprising Barbara Manning, Lloyd Oliver and Francois Celada (Eastbourne BC) and Yvonne Newbold, Alan Clark and Colin Newbold (Seaford BC), the Eastbourne trio winning 18-8 and Francois becoming the first player to have been victorious in of all of the four competitions that comprise the Tournament.
The Prizes were presented by The Worshipful The Mayor Cllr Mike Thompson and Tournament sponsors Wendy and Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel). Presentations were made to The Lady Mayoress and Wendy Kirby. Neil Kirby thanked Mike Taylor for his work organising the event and confirmed that Langham Hotel would be continuing and increasing their sponsorship for the coming year. He then presented a canvas print commemorating the winning shot drawn by the Mayor in the Charity shoot out challenge held at the start of the Tournament held on behalf of The British Wheelchair Bowlers Association when a donation was made to their funds of £250. Collection boxes that had circulated at the Social evening were also presented to Terry Fitzgerald, the President of the BWBA.
A donation to Tournament funds of £100 was received by Treasurer Mike Taylor from Gildredge ParkBC (Tournament Headquarters). After thanking the respective clubs for their assistance in running the event, Ron Putland for his work at Headquarters, Ralph Davies (photographer) and the umpires, markers and many other background personnel without whom the Tournament could not function, Tournament President John Ereira closed proceedings.