County Finals Report

This Sunday saw the first ever combined County Finals which were held at Marlborough BC, home of Men’s County President Colin Hunting. There was a good sized crowd in attendance and the quality of the bowling did not disappoint.

The Men were hosting on this occasion so Marlborough’s President Ashley Sale handed the green over to Colin Hunting for the County, with Ladies President Sue Bard-Bodek also in attendance.

Presidents Colin and Sue handed out the cards for the first session and the action was under way – and what a first session we enjoyed.

The Ipswich BC team, led by David Andrews, had a comfortable 22-6 win over the Felixstowe & Suffolk set skipped by John Rednall in the Men’s Senior Fours on Rink 1. The IBC team of Graham Howlett, Keith Howlett, Ivan Parnell and David Andrews qualify for the National Finals.

Across the green on Rink 4, the all Borough of Eye Ladies Fours Final was eventually won 14-12 by Skip Sue Bernard and her ladies over the ‘Young Un’s’ lead by Tracey Johnson. The Borough of Eye team of Sal Butcher, Di Ling, Kelly Ling and Sue Bernard qualify for the National Finals.

There was a tense ending to the Ladies 4 Wood Singles. Julie Spice (F&S) was heavily behind to Sue Saunders (Hadleigh) but staged a mighty comeback before just losing out to Sue 21-20. Sue Saunders and Julie Spice both qualify for the National Finals.

The Men’s Junior Pairs was another nail biter between Joe Sims & Ryan Hard (IBC) and Charlie Beeton & Harry Giles (F&S). There was plenty of lively action from the two Junior Internationals playing Skip and their experienced partners, with the Felixstowe & Suffolk pair finally winning 15-14, retaining the trophy they won in last year’s Finals. Charlie Beeton and Harry Giles qualify for the National Finals.

In the second session there was family action on the green. In the Men’s Junior Singles Charlie Beeton (F&S) beat Zak Andrew-Smith (Borough of Eye) 21-12 while on the adjacent rink Zoe Andrew-Smith (Fram. Castle) defeated Nayara Drummond (Borough of Eye) in the Ladies Junior Singles, also by a score of 21-12. Charlie Beeton, Zak Andrew-Smith, Zoe Andrew-Smith and Nayara Drummond all qualify for the National Finals.

In the 2 Wood Singles on Rink 1, Suffolk Bowls (BE) newcomers Stanton BC have their first County title holder as Dennis Andrews defeated Lee Calver (F&S) 14-9. Dennis Andrews and Lee Calver both qualify for the National Finals.

Next door on Rink 2, the crowds attention was focused on the Men’s 4 Wood Singles final as Ryan Hard (IBC) took on John Rednall (F&S). A gripping match built to a dramatic end and the crowd roared as Ryan pipped John to take the title by a score of 21-20. Ryan Hard and John Rednall both qualify for the National Finals.

The last match of the session was the Ladies Senior Fours between Julie Spice’s team from Felixstowe & Suffolk and Sue Bernard’s set from Borough of Eye. This absorbing game was finally decided in favour of the team from Felixstowe 16-14 and so Sue Fothergill, Pat Hilson, Moira Self and Julie Spice qualify for the National Finals.

And so to the third session. In the Ladies Junior Pairs, Jemimah and Zoe Andrew-Smith (Framlingham Castle) had a relatively comfortable win 16-6 over the mixed club side of Nayara Drummond and Chelsea Turner. Jemimah and Zoe Andrew-Smith qualify for the National Finals.

Staying with pairs, Sue Saunders and Gillian Barnes (Hadleigh) also secured a comfortable 19-6 victory over Chloe Coleman and Sue Bernard (Borough of Eye) in the Ladies Pairs. This means Sue Saunders and Gillian Barnes qualify for the National Finals.

Tracey Johnson (Borough of Eye) held off Andrea Dickinson (Brantham Athletic) 15-12 to take the Ladies 2 Wood Singles title. Both Tracey Johnson and Andrea Dickinson qualify for the National finals.

In the Men’s Fours, the Felixstowe & Suffolk set led by Elliot Last had a convincing 23-13 win over Shaun Cook’s Thurlton team. John Rednall, Lee Calver, Charlie Beeton and Elliot Last qualify for the National Finals.

The Men’s Triples final was a closely fought contest between Paul Dockerill’s trio from Cornard and David Cattermole’s set from Laxfield. A really tight finish went to the Cornard boys 13-12 and so Mark Wickenden, Gareth Lloyd and Paul Dockerill qualify for the National Finals.

Lastly, we had the inaugural final of the Percy Rowe Trophy, a new competition to commemorate the life and commitment to bowls of the late Percy Rowe. It was therefore fitting that the final of this competition should be won by the team of Amy Rowe, Jack Burch and Mark Euston who held off the challenge of Adrian Beecroft, Julie Spice and Phil Last 24-14 and so the first winners’ names engraved on the trophy will feature a Rowe.

The light was beginning to fade as the last match of the day got under way, necessitated by John Rednall qualifying for 4 finals! This was the Men’s Pairs, a match between John Rednall and Elliot Last (F&S) and Lee Steggalls and Phil Last (Marlborough) which was won convincingly by the Felixstowe & Suffolk pair 18-2. John Rednall, Elliot Last, Lee Stegalls and Phil Last all qualify for the National Finals.

So, the first combined County Finals drew to a close, an event that was a resounding success featuring top bowling in front of an appreciative crowd. Marlborough BC should be rightly lauded for their hospitality, great food and a good playing surface that stood up well to the rigours of an all day event.

Congratulations and best wishes to all that take the next step, representing Suffolk in the National Finals and commiserations to those that missed out this time around.

Our thanks also go to the umpires and markers that made the day possible.

Finally, thank you to everyone who turned up to watch – family, friends, club mates and County officials. You created the atmosphere a day like this needs and we hope you all enjoyed it.

Winners' photos will be added to the Gallery section over the coming days after editing.