Mens Competition Report
Submitted by Club Competition Secretary - Paul Hughes
We had an amazingly close fought set of Finals this year, with each competition producing an exciting
finish.
Due to the success of our Gloucester Two Rink Team we had to hold the Finals over two weekends, away from
the scheduled Finals Day. The attendance at the Finals was disapointing but those who witnessed the
drama would agree that it was worth the entry fee.
In the Championship Final we had Lee Peacock aiming to win the title for the first time against club
selector and previous winner John Ind. The result was in doubt all the way through a high quality exciting
Final. John took an early advantage leading 8-4 and 12-6. But Lee fought back to level at 14 all and 17
all. Lee then went ahead 20-17 but John bravely fought back to 20 all only to lose to Lee's final wood
which did have an element of good fortune and gave Lee his first Championship 21-20.
The Two Wood Final also involved Lee Peacock. His opponent in this Final was the highly experienced Barry
Major. A repeat of last years Final where Barry had come out triumphant. Barry always seemed in command
of this Final leading 9-5 and 14-7. Barry continued to dominate and maintained his lead at 17-11. Then
started a remarkable fight back from Lee that took him into the lead at 18-17. Although Barry managed one
more shot, Lee carded a magnificent recovery victory 21-18.
The Final of the Open Singles was a battle between Paul Hughes and Mike Higgins. This Final would have not
been out of place on the Television. With the shot changing hands repeatedly during each end. The First Set
went Pauls way 9-4. But Mike stretching to an 8-5 lead initially dominated the second set. But Paul levelled
the set at eight each with some superb lead bowls. What turned out to be the final end had Mike holding shot
but Paul held two seconds. Paul removed the shot whith his final wood and Mike could not recover with his
final wood. So Paul won the Final 9-4 9-8. Revenging his disappointment of losing in this Competitions Final
last year.
The Billy Gibbons Final was contested by Kit Bell and Stuart Taylor, again this was an exhilarating Final
with the result in doubt until the final bowl. The start of the Final was nip and tuck with never more than
a four shot difference. Then disaster struck for Kit as he dropped a four and two ones to go 17-9 behind. But
Kit the rallied and called on all of his expierience to take the lead at 20-18. Stuart saved the match on the
next end. But when Kit put his first wood on the next end within inches of the jack the writing was on the wall
and Kit completed a remarkable comeback and won the Final 21-19.
To complete a set of close finishes the Pairs Final put Mike Higgins and John Wood against Pete Belsten and Bruce
Farmer. John was attempting to defend the title he won last year with a different partner. Unfortunately this Final
started later than planned and resulted in the last few ends being played in near darkness. The first half
of the Final belonged to Pete and Bruce and at 10 ends their lead stood at 13-8. Then at 15 ends their lead had
increased to 17-11. Again a fight back took place with Mike and John scoring seven shots in the next four ends
to make the score 18-17 in their favour. A two to Pete and Bruce made it 19-18 to them with one end to play. Mike
and John then scored a one to force an extra end. By now the owls were out and the only light to be found was
from a lighter. However with his final wood on the extra end John drew the shot to win this epic Final by one and
thereby retain his crown as Pairs champion.