ON a glorious sunny evening a new winner of the Spire sponsored Dinas Powis Open emerged when David Harding of Penylan Bowling Club overcame two times previous winner Neil Collett of St Fagans Bowling Club in a pulsating final 21 – 20.

The semi-finals set the scene for an evening of high quality bowling. David Harding overcoming the challenge of Dinas Powis bowler Clive Todd 21-13 in a fascinating match, which saw Todd leading 13 – 5 after 12 ends only to be overhauled at 18 ends.

Harding went on to win by 21 shots to 13.

In the other semi-final, Neil Collett played Andrew Jones of the Merthyr West End Bowling Club. Collett went ahead early on and was never overhauled by Jones. This was despite Jones coming back from a 7 - 14 deficit to reach 13 – 14 after 17 ends.

Collett eventually eased to a 21 – 14 win to secure his place in the final.

The spectators were treated to 23 ends of high class bowling and the result could have gone either way, but Harding just managed to cross the finishing line in one of the closest fought finals in recent years.

It was Harding who made the early start with some fine drawing bowls, edging in front at 6 shots to 2 after 5 ends. In the next 5 ends he continued his early form to lead 11 shots to 4.

As expected, Collett found his form, and with some great bowling drew level after 18 ends, at 15 shots each.

Harding picked up an excellent 4 on the 20th end to lead 20 – 15. Not to be outdone, Collett then scored a 2 and a 3 to draw level at 20 -20.

In the final end Harding’s drawing bowl proved to be decisive and he deservedly won the game and with it the coveted Welsh Open Championship.

Dinas Powis Bowling Club is as always grateful to Spire Cardiff Hospital for their continued support of this prestigious tournament and look forward to many more years of partnership.