Well, Saturday morning dawned and what fine bowling there was in the finals of the ladies competitions at Heatherton Indoor Bowling Club.
In the mixed triples, super sub Anne Davies (subbing for Helen Baggott who was sadly in hospital) played like a demon, accompanied by John Baggott and John Smalley, who both played exceptionally well and won easily.
While dashing home for a bite to eat and a quick change of clothing, as I myself was due to play at 4 pm, with the sun shining away at Heatherton, I heard the Ladies Over 60s Pairs competition went to an exciting finish, with Mary Morris and Mair Marquiss beating sub M. Burns (for Helen Baggott) and Audrey Owens by one shot. What a game - well bowled ladies.
I arrived just in time to wish Jo Shewry and Gwenda Rees all the best for the Ladies Singles final. They played for one hour 55 minutes. Gwenda played beautifully, drawing shots out of thin air. Gwenda is an exceptionally good bowler and a great asset to Heatherton BC. Now Jo has only been bowling for 14 months and gave a fine performance in her first singles final. She did have a go, as we say in the bowling world, and fired at Gwenda's bowls quite a few times, and sometimes it came off. But sadly she lost 21-7. Better luck next time Jo. You know it's great to see new bowlers doing so well. Keep it up ladies.
Well, the next game was the ladies' rinks. It was a cliff-hanger and again featured super sub Anne Davies, Mary Morris and me, Beryl L. Lewis, with skip Mair Marquiss. We trailed most of the game, but scored eight times on of the last 10 ends, making the score 19-17, but alas we lost the last end, and finally went down 21-17 to the winners, namely Marlene Burns, a superb lead, Winnie Lamb, a good all-rounder who played very well indeed, followed by singles winner Gwenda Rees, who played out of her skin, and skip and excellent player Vivian Edwards, who blocked the heads very well.
Well played ladies and congratulations.
All of a sudden I heard shouts of joy as the men's rinks had just finished. I nearly fell off the mat. Dave Robb had won with his pals Neville Ruff and Roy Kennion, plus another whose name I can't remember. They had beaten club rivals Mr. Smalley and Mr. Baggott, plus two others, again with names I have forgotten, sorry. I thought Dave had won the Lottery, ha, ha!
Next door to our game was the Ladies Pairs final. Joyce Howe, a very pleasant person who always has a smile on her face, was partnering Kay Kennion, glove on hand, a forthright lady and very honest.
One of those opposing them was Margaret Lewis, who I might add had been poorly for quite some time, but would not let her partner down. I hear she bowled very well, accompanied by skip Betty James, who won nearly all the competitions last year, but just couldn't manage to win this game and lost to Joyce and Kay. Better luck next year.
Now to end this saga, as chairlady, I would like to say a very big thank you to all the ladies for their support this season. You made it easy for the committee to select teams etc. I've enjoyed every moment in your presence. Have a healthy , successful and rain-free outdoor season!
B.L.L.