LAWN BOWLS ISLE OF MAN
Yet another close encounter with father and son head to head in the national singles final. Clive, playing in his 10th successive singles final and Mark notching up his 7th appearance it was likely to go down to the wire yet again. With a good number of members in attendance they were treated to an intriguing match with a host of super shots from both players.
On a tricky rink which did not lend itself to a consistent line it was difficult for either player to establish a rhythm but it was Clive that led for most of the match going into the latter stages 17-14 in front. However, with both having a loose end it was Mark who capitalised with a full house to go ahead 18-17 and add a further 2 on the next end to reach 20-17. Having set a full length jack Mark failed with his first 3 bowls to make any impact and with Clive holding 3 shots just inches from the jack Mark delivered a real bomb to trail the jack a few feet from the ditch. With his last wood Clive attempted to drive off the shot bowl missing by just a few millimetres for Mark to gain his 3rd Singles title.
A note of thanks to John Kewley for his duty as Marker and Umpire for the day and President Gary Lenton for scoreboard duty and presentation of the trophy to a worthy Champion.
The ladies final was postponed from its original date due to illness and played the following week alongside the men’s pairs final.
Bernice, playing in her 12th singles final got off to a flying start against the in form player of the season Dee Lewis, who defeated the men’s champion Mark earlier in the week in a crucial league fixture. The match saw some high caliber shots from both players as Dee fought her way back into the contest. But as Bernice consistently changed the jack length Dee found it the more difficult to adjust and eventually ran out the winner by a scoreline of 21-15.