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AVON COUNTY OPEN PAIRS 22
AVON COUNTY OPEN PAIRS
Looking back I can remember many Open Pairs days as being beauti-
fully sunny. Being inside on such a lovely day again this year didn’t affect
the players competing. As usual, with Avon Competitions, it was competed
at the Bristol Bowls Centre in Bristol, with an entry of forty-eight teams and
was sponsored by Warman Leisure Holidays.
The players were a friendly, lively lot, with good playing skills, from a va-
riety of counties. Play commenced with the usual round robin in twelve groups,
playing ten ends with two woods each. Competition was keen with the winners of each group,
together with the best four runners-up going through to the next round. At this point I would like
to say that some of the newer players (and some of the more experienced!) are not always
careful in filling out the score card.
Perhaps Club Captains could run a quick session explaining the finer points. Sometimes
it can be a bit of a mine field trying to decide who won which game. Six pairs won all of their
round robin games, so they went forward together with the other group winners. After a little
quick arithmetic, the significant others were informed of their place in the play-off. Winners then
progressed to play for the Cup and those who came second for the Plate.
The rest of the afternoon went very well (after a rather large hiccough concerning the
lunch). Play was competitive and ends were competed for in a friendly spirit. It’s always inter-
esting to watch some of these talented players, their style and decision making. How often one
thinks, “I wouldn’t have come that way.”
However they achieve some amazing results. This year our Secretary, in an effort to bring
our sport before a wider audience, sent an email inviting a local television station to come and
broadcast a report. You may have noticed that no-one turned up! We need to think up an amaz-
ing event to gain their attention. People who enter these competitions are usually keen and
good players who thoroughly enjoy their bowling. They all helped make the day a successful
and very enjoyable one (some were very merry) and I offer thanks to them. Sincere thanks
also to all who helped with putting out equipment and remained to put it away. Without their in-
valuable assistance these events would be impossible.
The Open Pairs Cup Winners were Jack and Ryan Knight of Gloster Knights, who over-
came Elliot James & James Smith (Powerpuff Boys). The Open Pairs Plate Winners were Lee
Toleman& Chris Willies (Powerpuff Boys), who overcame Craig Lyttle and Roger Tallis of Ilch-
ester. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists and to those for whom this was their first
entry into competitive playing. I offer sincere thanks to Barry and Mel Dillon of Warman Leisure
Holidays for once again supporting our Competition. They generously supplied the Cups,
Plates and Vouchers for £150 each towards a Bowling Break.
Joan Hamblin Competition Secretary

Merton Charity
Merton Charity

Triples
Triples

The final of the Merton Short Mat Bowl-
ing Club’s Charity League Cup was
played at the Halwill Leisure sports hall
between Winkleigh and Merton; it was a
very close game with Merton winning 19
to 18.
The event was attended by a volunteer
of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust who accepted a cheque for £2,000 which has been collected
from various fund-raising since the league’s inception. Thanks for all the support and to those
who donated raffle prizes for the evening.