Lindfield enjoyed a good afternoon out at Grattons IBC, with the visitors losing 84 - 123. There was a solid win for Carol Watson's rink, and Peter Colbourne's rink sneaked a one-shot victory with the last bowl of their game. The future of the indoor fixtures is now uncertain, and if any members feel they would like to take on the job of organising the teams for one or more of the indoor games for next season, then please put yourselves forward!
Lindfield retained the John Elmer cup with a comfortable 5-0 win against Buxted in the last competitive fixture of the season. Adam Harding beat Jason Walters 21-11 in the singles before Peter Elford and John Foster made the decisive move in the pairs by collecting six shots on both the 14th and 17th end to win 30-18. The triples was a one sided encounter from start to finish with Roger Willmott, Ian Watson and Terry Hughes almost picking up a hot shot on the way to a 27-7 victory and in the fours Norman Sugarhood, Ron Langridge, Roger Green and Chris Reynolds finished strongly to win 24-14 having been only 2 shots ahead after twelve ends. The double fours was the closest game of the match with each team winning one of the rinks but Buxted were denied a consolation point when David Glossop's quartet won their last end to secure the white-wash. The season comes to an end next week when the green officially closes for the winter.
There will be a new name on both the men's and ladies championship trophies at Lindfield with Peter Colbourne and Jennie Sandford winning the blue ribbon events on bank holiday Monday. It was a busy weekend for both players because as competition secretaries they also had to oversee all the finals, although this was made easier by the games being played over two days for the first time. In the men's singles Peter condemned Tom Palmer to a third straight loss in the championship final by scoring 15 shots without reply to win 21-6, while Jennie held off the challenge of Stella Wellum thanks to a dominant second half display which saw her triumph 21-11.
Tom and Jennie went head to head in the Dave Butfoy mixed singles with Tom claiming the title but this was his only success of the weekend following a 21-11 loss to David Glossop in the veteran's final and a 21-14 defeat in the 2 wood singles, with Adam Harding winning that competition. Adam also picked up the handicap singles by getting the better of champion elect Peter Colbourne and Arthur Mortensen claimed the remaining men's singles event thanks to 21-13 victory against Frank Morris in the 'Backbone'.
In the ladies 2 wood singles Carol Watson enjoyed a comfortable win against Jennie Sandford although Carol was on the wrong end of the result in the ladies 100 Up with Sue Willmott taking home the trophy. The ladies backbone was an even contest before Joan Hampton finally ended Liz Harman's chances 21-15 but in the closest game of all Liz Harman teamed up with Carol Watson to edge out Lesley Doodge and Shirley Foxwell in the ladies pairs 24-22.
The men's pairs title went to Peter Elford and John Foster who opened up an early 10 shot lead against Paul Bloxham and David Glossop before closing out the match 20-14 and the drawn pairs saw the combination of David Glossop and Liz Harman beat Ron Langridge and Julia Dearing, earning David and Liz individually their second success of the weekend. In the Betty McMillan triples Irene Cambers, Shirley Nelson and Sue Willmott were 16-10 winners against Margaret Atkins, Janet Hawkins and Jennie Sandford.
The double act of Richard Harding and Ron Langridge entertained the members when presenting the prizes to the winners and runners up and thanks must also go to those who gave up their time to assist with the scoring and marking of the finals, to Geoff Nelson for umpiring all weekend, chief green steward Ian Watson and to those who helped behind the bar and with the preparation of food.
Lindfield and Dorking contested a closely fought Border League cup final with the double rink encounter in the balance until the last end of the match. At the half way stage Dorking held a slender 2 shot advantage but from then on the lead changed hands after almost every end with Lindfield leading on one rink but down on the other. Willy Bollschweiler, Norman Sugarhood, Peter Gacsall and David Glossop were behind for the duration of their game but they scored 3 shots on the last end to keep the contest alive, although the overall deficit of 7 shots meant that Roger Willmott, Alan Eastwood, Peter Colbourne and Terry Hughes had to win their last end to give Lindfield any hope of winning the cup. They took a 15-9 lead into the last end but Dorking drew three close bowls on a full length jack and with Lindfield unable to convert the head it was Dorking who won the competition by 4 shots.
Ron Langridge hosted his President's Day on Saturday with 12 teams competing in a range of events including target bowls, 100 up style scoring, drawing to the edge of the ditch and only bowls finishing within a yard of the jack scoring points. Gifts were awarded to members of the social committee to thank them for all their hard work during the season and a fine meal was enjoyed on the day, with gratitude to the ladies who prepared the food. Roger Willmott was the winner of the target bowls and he, along with wife Sue and Norma and Clive Smith earned enough points to win the overall team prize once the bowling had been concluded. Congratulations and thanks go to Ron for ensuring another successful day at the club.
28 teams started out last Monday when Lindfield's annual Jubilee Triples competition got under way but this number was reduced to 8 for Saturday's finals day with local clubs Preston, West Hoathly, Popes Mead, Hurstpierpoint, Buxted, Uckfield and, Haywards Heath all represented.
Regular sponsors Apex Windows, Masters & Son and Haywards Heath Auto once again contributed to a generous prize fund totalling over £500 and three games of 7 ends on Saturday decided the two finalists and the third and fourth play off qualifiers.
The final saw West Hoathly's Norman Harbour, Dave Dawson and Tony Grainger taking on Steph Michael, Tony Dade and Peter Morgan (pictured below) from Preston in a 7 end encounter and it was Preston who took the lead on the fourth end when they picked up 5 shots. West Hoathly fought back to level the scores with an endto play but Preston then dominated the last end to take home the trophy and the winning prize money.
Popes Mead edged out Hurstpierpoint in the third and fourth play-off despite dropping 4 shots on the first end. Thanks go to the club members who organised the event, stretching back to the closed season when all the invitations were sent out and to those who helped out during the week to ensure the continuing success of the competition.
Lindfield's men qualified for the final of the Border League Cup after winning the home and away rink of the semi-final against Horsham Park. At home Roger Willmott, Alan Eastwood, Peter Colbourne and Terry Hughes won by 7 shots and the away rink of Ron Langridge, Norman Sugarhood, David Glossop and Mick O'Donnell secured a 5 shot win to guarantee a spot in Saturday's final. Carol Watson won two matches in the national singles championships at Leamington last week but having to play a third game on the same day proved a step too far.
Vera Stevens hosted a successful ladies captain's day at Lindfield with 12 teams, all dressed in pink taking part in five different types of challenge matches with accumulative points deciding the overall winners. In between the bowling there was a raffle, lucky dip, jewellery sale and a plant auction to keep the players entertained and by the end of the day the tremendous sum of £1000 was raised for the Breast Cancer Now charity.
Winners on the green were St Francis but another enjoyable day was had by all who were there. The club also hosted their local Lindfield Club at the weekend for a fun morning of bowling followed by a large raffle where a further £265was raised which this time will be donated to St Peter & St James Hospice.
Keith Holman fell agonisingly short in his county Champion of Champions final on Sunday when his opponent, Eastbourne's Francois Celada overturned an 11-2 deficit to triumph 21-18. In a frustrating couple of weeks for Lindfield Carol Watson was also denied the ladies county singles title after her opponent from Eastbourne claimed the title 21-14, although Carol does go on to represent Sussex in the national championships at Leamington this weekend.
Unfortunately a hat-trick of final defeats for the club was confirmed when Henfield claimed the Tom Francis mixed double fours trophy by the narrowest of margins, one shot with the outcome in the balance until the final bowl of the game. A slow start on both rinks by Lindfield ultimately cost them the chance of victory. The ladies still have a strong chance of success in the Gladys Roland competition though after qualifying for the semi final at Burgess Hill on August 15th following their 21-11 away win at Chichester.
In the national mixed double fours Lindfield travelled to Marden in Kent with a place in the quarter finals at Leamington awaiting the winners. There were contrasting fortunes at the start of the match with the rink of Shirley Foxwell, Carol and Ian Watson and Keith Holman taking an early lead although this was cancelled out by Marden scoring 11 unanswered shots against Margaret Atkins, Sue Willmott, Terry Hughes and Roger Green. However, Roger's rink then fought back to lead 15-14 before Marden wrestled control of the tie by scoring heavily on two more ends, so despite Keith's rink holding on for a 2 shot win its Marden who qualify for the quarter final.
Alan Gardiner's captain's day at Lindfield on Saturday saw 12 teams playing a round-robin group of games with points awarded for winning individual ends and each of the four games. Regular visitors Buxted Park and West Hoathly secured enough points to contest the four end final and despite dropping 4 shots on the last end it was the West Hoathly squad of John Stevens, Norman Habour, Chris Reynolds and Tony Grainger whoedged the result 6-5. More importantly the day was about raising funds for Alan's chosen charity Grace Eyre and thanks to the raffle, cake sale and other donations around £450 was donated to their representative at the end of the day.
Lindfield ladies earned a 1 shot win against Burgess Hill in the county double fours to move a step closer to a possible final appearance and not to be outdone the men beat Newdigate in their opening round of the Border League Cup. Hurstpierpoint provided the opposition in both the National Over 60s mixed double-rink and the semi-final of the Tom Francis double fours but Lindfield managed to register a win in both competitions, although the Tom Francis went down to the wire and an extra end was needed to decide the result after the home rink's 9 shot winwas cancelled out by the away team losing by the same score.
Keith Holman ensured that Lindfield will be represented at men's county finals day on August 2nd after completing a convincing 21-2 win against Peter Carter in the champion of champions semi final. The two players met earlier in the season when Peter came out on top in the first round of the county singles but it's Keith who now goes forward to play Eastbourne's Francois Celada in the champion of champions finals at Popes Mead.
Lindfield enjoyed a comfortable home win against Crouch in the Tony Allcock over 60's National double rink and will now play Hurstpierpoint. The ladies were involved in a close match against Polgrove in the County double rink but finished strongly to seal a 2 shot win and in the Gladys Rowland competition Jennie Sandford, Margaret Atkins, Sue Willmott and Carol Watson were tied 11-11 at Uckfield after 15 ends but outscored their opponents in the closing stages to finish 22-14 and move in to the next round.
Carol Watson will contest the Ladies County Singles final at Haywards Heath on the weekend of July 25th after winning her semi final 21-12 and she also qualifies for the National Championships at Leamington next month as a result of reaching the county final.
Keith Holman travelled to Worthing for his county Champion of Champions quarter-final but his opponent from Chichester decided not to make the same journey which handed Keith a walk-over into the semi final where he'll play previous winner Peter Carter from Newick.
Unfortunately Keith's scheduled quarter final prevented him from playing in Lindfield's Top Club competition against Popes Mead and in his absence the men lost 3 games to 2 with the pairs, triples and fours all suffering heavy defeats.
Roger Willmott and Terry Hughes bowed out of the county pairs when they lost their quarter final at Seaford 21-9 but the week ended on a winning note when Lindfield reached the semi-final of the Tom Francis mixed double fours with victory against Uckfield.
Lindfield ladies still have plenty to play for as the county competitions reach the closing stages. Carol Watson is in the semi-final of the singles following a comfortable 21-7 win against Joan Howson from Burgess Hill and Carol, Jennie Sandford and Sue Willmott will also be contesting the semi final of the triples. In addition the same three players, along with Margaret Atkins are only one game away from the fours final so the next two weeks will determine the fate of all three competitions.
For the men Roger Willmott and Terry Hughes have reached the zone final of the pairs and have a home draw against Rod Taylor from Preston and it's the same story in the triples with Roger, Terry and Keith Foxwell taking on the same opponent for a place in the quarter final. Lindfield's double header against Preston in the men's national and county double fours ended in disappointment with Preston claiming victory in both games. Mark Strong's quartet dominated at Lindfield in the national double fours, racing in to a 16-3 lead which effectively ended the tie as a contest and in the county double fours Lindfield's away rink disappointingly conceded their game after only 16 ends which left the home rink no option but to end their match even though they still had 8 ends remaining and the scores were tied at 13-13.
In the national Top Club the men earned a 4-1 win against Hollingbury and will now play Popes Mead. Shirley Nelson and Sue Willmott were involved in a tight game against Rita George and Mary Day in the ladies senior pairs before the Adastra pair finished strongly to win 23-18.
Carol Watson is safely through in the National and County Champion of Champion singles after wins against Newick's Margaret Smith and Heather Grant from Southwater, conceding a total of 18 shots across the two games. Carol teamed up with Keith Holman in the national mixed pairs where an extra end was required to separate them from Rod Taylor at Preston after the scores were locked at 19-19, but Holman trailed the jack on the extra end to win the game.
In the ladies county singles Jennie Sandford defeated up and coming young bowler Hannah Maslan 21-13 at the Downsman in Crawley and then joined forces with Carol, Julia Dearing and Sue Willmott to continue their good form in the fours by knocking out a quartet from West Hoathly. In the second round of the pairs Carol and Sue were 22-8 winners against Maureen Topley and Jill Thompson from Haywards Heath.
The men's county competitions are now up and running but there were mixed fortunes in the pairs with Roger Willmott and Terry Hughes the solitary winners in round one following their victory against Dave Lindsay (Isle of Thorns), although Alan Gardiner and Bryan Mills are also through after receiving a walkover from Rottingdean.
In the first round of the Edward Rowland cup there was a convincing start for Ron Langridge, Mike Streeter, Wilf Atkins and Richard Harding who came away from Peacehaven as 22-12 winners and in the men's National Double Fours Lindfield survived the rain and their opposition at Uckfield on Sunday to win on both rinks.
The bowls club welcomed a large number of visitors during village day on Saturday with young and old taking the opportunity to bowl on the main green and try the target bowls challenge. The club will remain active until the end of September for anyone wishing to follow up their interest in the sport.
A strong second half performance ensured that Lindfield progressed in the Tony Allcock mixed double fours at the expense of Newick. With the game all square at the half way stage Keith Holman's rink scored 11 shots without reply while Roger Green's quartet added a further 8 to see them safely through to the next round.
The games have been coming thick and fast for the ladies but they're still going strong in the Sussex Top Club competition. They followed up last week's win over defending champions Gildredge Park with a 2.5 to 1.5 points win against Adastra thanks to victory in the singles and triples anda draw in the pairs.
In the county competitions there were wins in the pairs for Jennie Sandford and Shirley Foxwell and Jennie also teamed up with Carol Watson and Sue Willmott to clinch an extra end victory in the triples at Horsham. In the fours Jennie, Julia Dearing, Carol and Sue had another nail-biter but emerged as one shot winners over Angela O'Donnell from Burgess Hill.
In the ladies senior pairs Shirley Nelson and Sue Willmott had a more comfortable time, claiming an 11 shot win against Sue Hanlon and Sue Walters from Buxted Park and in the men's over 55 pairs Roger Willmott and Terry Hughes progressed following a 2 shot victory against Tony Cook from Lewes. The club will be open all day on Saturday (May 30th) as they take an active part in Lindfield's village day with a target bowls stall also up and running during the afternoon.
Lindfield's men earned a place in the second round of the National Double Fours thanks to a 12 shot win at Newick where the heavy scoring was done by Peter Gacsall, Mick O'Donnell, Ian Watson and Keith Holman who won by 18. The 'B' squad travelled to Woodingdean but suffered an 8 shot defeat to end their hopes in the event. The ladies began their assault on the county competitions with the triple of Jennie Sandford, Carol Watson and Sue Willmott coming through an extra end decider at Burgess Hill against Joan Howson while Shirley Nelson, Vera Stevens and Shirley Foxwell enjoyed a far morecomfortable night against Uckfield, winning 28-2.
In the singles Carol defeated Alison Paine from Popes Mead 21-10 although Jennie had to go the distance in her match with Sue Paterson before finally edging out the St Francis player 21-20. There were opening round wins in the National Mixed Pairs for both Jennie Sandford and Adam Harding at West Hoathly and Carol Watson and Keith Holman who needed only 7 ends to see off Mick Read and Sue Walters at Buxted.
Lindfield ladies began their competitive season with a 3-1 win against Eastbourne, Victoria Drive in the first round of the Sussex Top Club event. Carol Watson recovered from 3-16 in the singles to cross the line 21-20 and this was followed by a comfortable success in the triples for Julia Dearing, Vera Stevens and Sue Willmott who won their match 27-8.
Jennie Sandford and Shirley Foxwell then ensured safe passage to the next round after finishing their pairs encounter 17-10 which left Eastbourne the consolation of completing a nine shot win in the fours. Lindfield's men now have a bye in the national Top Club and will play old rivals Preston.
The good weather is here at last, and the 2015 season opens this Saturday morning (18th April) with our usual coffee morning, starting at 10am. The green will be open for casual bowling, so why not come along to catch up with old friends, and see how the green is playing?
