Bowls round-up: Summer season ends with flurry of action

Welwyn Garden City receive the Jones Cup from district president Gordon Burrows. Picture: CHRIS LINFIELD/HARPENDEN BC (Image: Chris Linfield/Harpenden Bowling Club)

Welwyn Garden City Bowls Club beat Welwyn & District in the St Albans & District Jones Cup final - retaining the title they won last year.

The final, played at Harpenden Bowling Club, produced an exhilarating clash with some very closely contested ends.

The skips of both sides were called on to produce some unbelievable shots and the bowlers of both sides responded with unbelievable accuracy.

A spokesman for the district said: "Welwyn Garden City came out winners but to be fair both teams of bowlers produced fantastic bowling end after end."

Shire Park Bowls Club (Tewin) held their finals day.

In the drawn pairs Elaine Wulcko and Chris Wright defeated John Hastings and Dave Warner with Wulko then going on to defeat Laura Hastings in the ladies championship and John Hastings in the three wood singles.

Elsewhere, Bill Draycott beat Mike Howe in the men’s championship and then went on to defeat Gus Edwards in the yardstick.

New bowler Martin Taylor not only won the novices singles against Barry Wright but he also defeated John Hastings in the fixed jack.

In the remaining competitions, Ian Kirsch beat Paul Lohr in the handicap and Gus Edwards defeated Rob Kenway in the two wood singles.

President Fred Goodege presented the trophies and a good crowd enjoyed the excellent bowling and superb weather over the two days.

In their final friendly, Shire Park had a good win at home over St Andrews from Biggleswade.

Although the rinks were shared three each, Shire Park won overall 100-77 with the top rink that of Ray Adams, Alan Goddard and Linda Draycott.

Potters Bar had successes in the St Albans & District finals with both the men and ladies.

Di Jewell and Jean Scott won the Australian pairs against Harperbury before Jewell joined up with Sue Powers and Pam Rodgers to lift the triples title by beating Hatfield.

Bar’s ladies also won their double rink final against Batchwood.

The men meanwhile had success in the their Triples League final and the fours final against Welwyn Garden City.

The club's own finals weekend saw some very close and exciting games with new names on some of the trophies.

Colin Malone won his match against Richard Pearce to become the new men’s champion and Di Jewell retained her title as ladies champion against Jean Scott.

Captains' Day was the last event in the club's internal calendar with the captains' team winning against the President's team.

Afterwards president Barry Bowman thanked and congratulated the outgoing skippers, Chris  Buden and Gill Marshall, on a very good season.

He also presented special awards to Alan Dick and Terry White who have both been members of the club for 50 years.

The final bit of action was on Sunday with a friendly win over Hertford by five rinks to one.

Datchworth's final week began with a 123-86 home defeat to Sele Farm.

The only winning triple was that of Roger Tomlinson, Julian Hales and Peter Hills who won 18-9.

They did win the final two games, the first a 51-42 success at home to Luton West End despite winning only one of three triples.

That was Alfie Williams, Janet Akers and Peter Hills who won 23-8.

The final game was also at home and ended with a 73-54 win over Bengeo.

This time they won three of the four rinks with the best of them Jim Whittle, Maureen Blunt and Steve Arnold who won 22-8.

The others were Annette Hutchinson, Dickie Jackson and Derek Henley (19-10) and Mike Usher, Barbara Williams and Rob Hazeu (19-9).