Singles proves to be the 'Blue Riband' (From Penarth Times)

Singles proves to be the 'Blue Riband'

BLESSED BY fine weather, and a large number of club members as supporters, the Murch Bowling Club Championship Finalists provided an exciting and well contested series of games over the Friday and Saturday, September 7 and 8.

As in all club finals, it was the singles that were the blue riband of championships, and the spectators enjoyed two closely fought duels. In the Ladies' final Ann May established a strong position to lead 20 shots to 12 and requiring just one shot to take the honours.

However, as in previous rounds, opponent Merle Davies fought back strongly and with a 3, 1 and 2 reduced Ann's lead to a mere two shots at 20-18. Ann, nevertheless, kept her cool and secured the one shot required for victory on the 28th end. An excellent game and a credit to both finalists.

In the Men's final both contestants could be excused if feeling a trifle weary, as both had participated in three finals each. Colin Garland had yet to register his name on the winner's board.

It was another closely fought game with just two or three shots separating the combatants until Colin Reynolds registered a 1, 1, 1 and 2 to take the match 22-16 after 25 ends, and thus compensate for his disappointments in the earlier contests.

In the other finals, club caterer Joyce Garland had proved that her skills were not confined to the kitchen by participating in, and winning three winner's cups in the Ladies' Pairs, Triples and Mixed Rink contests.

The organisation and running of club championships is no easy task, and the club is indebted for the hard work and commitment put in by administrators Dot Greedy and John Miller, ably assisted by Club Secretary Joan Bransfield.

Umpire Mike Bransfield, voted smartest man of the Finals with his green attire, was a more than capable adjudicator, raising ironic cheers and comments on his frequent incursions on to the playing arena to resolve the difficult measuring issues.

As the season draws to a close, there were two occasions worthy of mention in the matches that took place.

The ladies of the club created a first by hosting the Ladies of the Dorset WBA on their tour to South Wales, and managed to inflict the only tour defeat on their visitors in an excellent game with the ladies from the south generous in their praise of the playing surface of the Green and the hospitality received.

The second occasion was another first when a junior (under-11) Murch rink entertained a likewise rink from the Barry Central Club, alongside a senior men's friendly game on adjoining rinks.

The youngsters delighted their coaches with their standard of play, and joined the seniors in their sausage and ice cream tea in the clubhouse following the game.

Results

Ladies Singles: Winner Ann May; Runner-up Merle Davies.

Men's Singles: Winner Colin Reynolds; Runner-up Colin Garland.

Ladies Pairs: Winners Judy Fudge and Joyce Garland; Runners-up Barbara Skyrme and Belinda Price.

Men's Pairs: Winners Ivor Williams and Colin Garland; Runners-up Phil Jacobs and Roger Mauchline.

Mixed Pairs: Winners Moira Pratt and Reg Davidson; Runners-up Pat Prangley and Colin Reynolds.

Two Wood Pairs: Winners Pauline Cutler and Phil Jacobs; Runners-up Heather Nolan and Ivor Williams.

Ladies Triples: Winners Gwladys Hayes, Heather Nolan and Joyce Garland; Runners-up Merle Davies, Marilyn Clake and Dot Greedy.

Men's Triples: Winners Owen May, Colin Garland and Tony Rice; Runners-up Terry Mayor, Roy Rosser and Pat Hayes.

Mixed Triples: Winners Barbara Skyrme, Jack Sleeman and Tony Rice; Runners up Iris Bishop, Sid Wyer and Colin Reynolds.

Mixed Rinks: Winners Joyce Garland, Roy Rosser, Max Wood and Ken Tucker; Runners-up Esther Proctor, Marion Manfield, Colin Garland and Colin Reynolds.

Other results

Rumney A v Murch A (Cardiff & District ML Div 6): Malcolm Wheadon, Sandy Thompson, Joe Walker, Tony Rice 15-14; Bernard Toozer, Bill Broomfield, Reg Davidson, Bob Hill 15-16; John Miller, Tony Prangley, Colin Garland, Colin Reynolds 18-17; Dennis Baker, Bob Marsh, Andy Locker, Terry Mayor 14-14. Rumney A 61 (3 points), Murch A 62 (11 points).

Murch v Barry Plastics (Alliance): Harry Aubrey, Malcolm Wheadon, Terry Nolan, Colin Garland 10-21; Jim McIntosh, Tony Prangley, John Evans, Derek Davies 11-17; Gus Santavy, Dennis Baker, Sandy Thompson, Harry Guppy 17-14; Mervyn Knott, Ron Giles, Arthur Perry, Terry Mayor 13-23; Harry Evans, Andy Locker, Max Wood, Colin Reynolds 18-10. Murch 69, Barry Plastics 85.

Murch v Barry Central (friendly): Roy Rosser, Doug Bateman, Terry Nolan, Derek Davies 17-20; Arthur Perry, Harry Guppy, Colin Garland, Colin Reynolds 15-23; Mervyn Williams, Terry Mayor, John Manfield, Roger Mauchline 18-16; Owen May, Richard Fudge, Reg Davidson, Tony Rice 17-15. Murch 67, Central 74.

Murch Juniors (U-11s) v Barry Central Juniors: Murch: Adam, Craig, Hayley and Jac 13; Barry Central: Matthew, Josh, Nathaniel, Luke 10.

Murch Ladies v Dorset County WBA: Ann May, Sheila Guppy, Gloria Perry, Dot Greedy 23-14; Iris Bishop, Mal Cosslett, Val Richards, Pauline Cutler 26-15; Esther Proctor, Barbara Skyrme, Elsie Miller, Judy Fudge 20-24; Myra Rice, Merle Davies, Gwladys Hayes, Joyce Garland 18-21. Murch Ladies 87, Dorset County WBA 74.