Report from the 2014 Tournament
Tournament prepares for new Mens Champion .
On Sunday, the 85th Eastbourne Open Bowls tournament commenced on the greens around the town. The Mayor (Cllr. Janet Coles) welcomed visitors at Gildredge Park (tournament headquarters) and undertook the now customary challenge of bowling against the sponsor Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel). As has been the case in recent years, glory went to the Mayor who actually struck the jack with one of her attempts. The first day’s play saw two rounds of men’s singles take place, with no fewer than seven former champions competing. By the end of proceedings only three remained in the running – Jim Preston (1984, 1988, 1995 – Eastbourne), Martin Biggleston (2008 – Unattached) and reigning champion Dave Richardson (2005, 2010, 2013 – Popes Mead). Biggleston put out 2009 champion Barrie Fordham (Eastbourne) in the second round 21-17 but subsequently lost to Mike Dooley (Eastbourne) 21-5in the 3rd round. Richardson lost to Carl Dyer (Spartan) 21-19 also in the 3rd round. Phil Soper (Uckfield) ended the challenge of 2006 champion Francois Celada at the same stage 21-10. David Booth (1997 – Eastbourne) retired unwell during his first round match. Peter Jackson (2012 – Eastbourne) had fallen to John Pannett (Victoria Drive & Eastbourne Ladies) 21.-17 in the second round. This means a new Mens champion will be crowned on Friday. The Ladies competitions commenced with the Pairs and Reigning champions J Akehurst and S Lysaght (Hellingly) moved into the third round beating A Wilson and S Buckingham (Woolwich & Plumstead) 21-11. Reigning Ladies Singles champion Amy Truran (Homefield Park) made a successful start to her campaign to retain the title, moving into the quarter finals where she met Ann Holland (St John’s), winning 21-5. She then played Julia Fordham in the semi-final and reached the final again with a 21-14 victory. Amy also won the title in 2010 and 2011. No less than four of the eight quarter finalists were former champions. Joan Jones (2002, 2004, 2012 -Gildredge Park) lost to Angie Cleveley (Fleckny – Leicester) 21-20, and Gill Hill ( 1996, 2001 – Saffron Ladies) lost to club mate Rachel Mackriell (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) 21-3. Rachel moved to the final courtesy of a 21-6 win over Cleveley. The competitions finals are held at Gildredge Park greens on Friday, followed by the presentation of trophies and prizes by the Mayor and event sponsors Wendy and Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel).
Bowls Finals played in glorious sunshine.
The finals of the Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament sponsored by Wendy and Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel) were played on Friday under glorious blue skies and blazing sunshine in front of a large appreciative crowd of spectators. In the morning, the Mixed Triples final was fought out between local team Pauline (lead) and Shane Packham (two) with Rachel Mackriell as skip, and regular visitors from Leicester Angela (lead) and Nick Cleveley (skip) with Ken Wheeler (two). The visitors got away to a good start picking up 5 shots in the first 2 ends but the Eastbourne team settled and came back to level 8-8 after 8 ends. A 2 on the 9th end saw the Leicester team regain the lead but it proved a false dawn as the home team won the next 5 ends picking up 11 shots in the process to lead 19-10. They dropped a shot on the 15th end but the match was conceded after they scored a 3 to lead (and win) 22-11. Angela Cleveley then returned to the green to skip in the Ladies Pairs final, partnered by the ladies’ tournament representative Annie France Jackson. Their opponents were Beth Clarke and Sheila Simmons. Angela, who had played well throughout the tournament, again got away to a good start and lead 7-2 at 8 ends. Once again the local team rallied to draw level after 12 ends with the score 8-8. Picking up 4 shots on the 13th end and swapping single shots on the next two, Annie France and Angela lead 13-9 after 15 ends. Suddenly the local pair picked up a single and then three successive 4s to race away into a 22-13 lead after 19 ends. Despite winning the 20th end, the match was conceded with a final score of 22-14 in favour of Beth and Sheila. Angela had also been due to play in the 3rd / 4th play-off in the Ladies singles competition but decided to concede to Julia Fordham rather than continue playing in the heat. The Mens Pairs was contested between the teams of Don Kent / Brian Henty and the indoor team of Bill Fuller / Roger Cable. Early exchanges were even and the score stood at 7-7 after 11 ends. The 12th end saw Bill and Roger pick up a 7 and their opponents conceded with the score 24-12 after 18 ends. In the Mens Triples, the defending champions Bob Jones, John Blackman and Ken Hill took on the team made up of tournament officials, Terry Boniface, Vince Smith and Mike Taylor. After 8 ends scores were level 8-8 and again after 14 ends at 15-15. a 4 on the 16th end eventually proved decisive and Mike’s team ran out winners 20-17. The Blue Riband events of Mens and Ladies singles were both well contested. In the Ladies event local previous winner Rachel Mackriell took on defending champion and two time National singles champion Amy Truran. In an enthralling game the scores were level 9-9 after 11 ends. Rachel edged away to lead 16-14 after 21 ends. Amy picked up a single on the 22nd end to close to a one shot deficit but Rachel picked up a 3 and a 2 on the next 2 ends to win 21-15 and pick up the title for the 5th time. The Mens singles was between Sussex based visitors David Willis and Chris Surman. Scores were level 10-10 at 12 ends and by the 21 st end David had edged into a 16-15 lead. Scoring on each of the next 2 ends David lead 20-15 after 23 ends and despite dropping a 2 on the next end picked up the final shot required for victory on the 25th end of the match 21-17. The prizes were presented by the Mayor (Cllr Janet Coles) and the sponsors Wendy and Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel). Tournament President thanked the many people who make the tournament such a success, including the Umpires, markers, greenstewards, caterers at all venues, and car park attendants at headquarters. He gave particular thanks to Ron Putland for his efforts through the week both as head administrator and raffle ticket seller. Flowers were presented to the Mayor and to Ron for his wife. A gift was also presented to Wendy Kirby. Proceedings closed with a free drink supplied to all who had attended the finals, courtesy of the sponsor who also confirmed their continuing sponsorship for next year, thanked Mike Taylor for his hard work and stated how pleasing it was too see the Mens and Ladies competitions running together so successfully, to much applause.
Results:
Ladies Singles: Rachel Mackriell (Saffron Ladies) 21 15 Amy Truran (Homefield Park). Ladies 3rd Place: Julia Fordham (Saffron Ladies).Ladies Pairs: Beth Clarke / Sheila Simmons (Saffron Ladies) 22 14 Annie France Jackson (Saffron Ladies) / Angela Cleveley (Fleckny). Mens Singles: David Willis (Bexhill) 21 17 Chris Surman (White Rock). Mens Pairs: Bill Fuller / Roger Cable (E&D IBC) 24 12 Don Kent (Preston) / Brian Henty (Victoria Drive & Eastbourne Ladies). Mens Triples: Terry Boniface (Eastbourne) / Vince Smith (Unattached) / Mike Taylor (Eastbourne) 20 17 Bob Jones/ John Blackman / Ken Hill (Eastbourne). Mixed Triples: Pauline Packham (Saffron Ladies) / Shane Packham (Eastbourne) / Rachel Mackriell (Saffron Ladies) 22 11 Mrs A Cleveley (Fleckny BC) / Wheeler (Knighton Victoria BC) / N Cleveley (Fleckny BC).