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Mens and Ladies singles champions

Suzi Cooper writes …… This years’ event was run from 16th to 22nd April with matches being played at Quesada for all days and at San Luis for the first 3 days. Although the weather stayed fine most days were windy or even very windy.

By Saturday afternoon we were able to play the first 2 finals which were the Mixed Pairs and the Ladies Pairs.

The Mixed Pairs was played between Pat McEwan & Steve Cantley of San Miguel and David Blackie & Jean Cooper of La Siesta. Despite having played great bowls upto the final David & Jean never got into their stride allowing Pat & Steve to win after just 14 ends.

The Ladies Pairs between Lynne Eldon & Chris Evans of Javea Green and Melanie Highland & Jacqui Johnston of Quesada. After 8 ends the Javea side were 8-1 up and after 12 ends they were 1-3 up. From then on they failed to score another shot with the Quesada pair taking the match 13-11.

On Sunday morning it was the turn of both Mixed Rinks & Mixed Triples. The rinks final was played between San Luis, Colin Jackson, Sabrina Marks, Keith Jones & Russell Marks and Benitachell, Rod Warnes, Linda Richards, Lynda Warnes & Jeff Richards. The Benitachell side never showed their form from previous matches with San Luis taking the hours 21-9 after 17 ends.

The Mixed Triples was another North/South battle with Javea Green, Jan Phillips, Velia Wood & Alana Phillips playing against San Miguel, Val Collier, Chris Collier & Stuart Denholm. After 13 ends the Javea team led by 14-6 only to drop 2 successive 4’s making the score 14-14. The Javea team then picked up 4 shots and despite dropping a single on end 17 became champions by 19-15.

Onto the afternoon matches and the turn of the Mens Pairs. San Luis, Keith Jones & Russell Marks playing San Miguel, Brian Miller & Steve Cantley. The San Luis pair got off to a great start to lead 9-2 only for San Miguel to pull back to 9 all. It was then a trading of ends until San Miguel picked up a 3 on end 16. San Luis picked up a single on end 17 leaving them needing 2 shots to tie the game.

Winners of the Mens Pairs, Brian Miller & Steve Cantley

With just 3 bowls left to play the San Luis pair held 5 only for Steve to play the perfect bowl & sit the shot bowl. Russell played his last bowl & although he got shot wood he just missed the touch to give them the shots needed & San Miguel won by a single shot.

The Ladies Singles was Benitachell, Christine Mawson against San Miguel, Mary Dyer. Mary continued her steady form shown in previous matches & took the title 21-12.

The Mens Singles was a real nailbiter. El Rancho, Richard Lee playing San Luis, Mal Hughes. After 9 ends it was 6 apiece the Richard picked up 7 shots over the next 3 ends to lead 13-6. Mal was then playing catch up and after 24 ends it was 19 shots each. Richard scored a single on the next end and after a measure got the 1 he needed on the 26th end to take the title.

Afterwards Jean Cooper thanked both greens for giving up their time. All the participants, markers & umpires then went on to thank the coordinators at the venues, Caroline Smyth at Quesada & June Jones & Suzi Cooper at San Luis. She then thanked Suzi Cooper for the organisation of the event.