Saturday 2nd November was the Bernie Michael Memorial Day.  The event was planned as a triples event with nominated teams.  This was shelved on the day and the teams split to play two triples games and three pairs games.  I am sure there was a good and valid reason but 24 players should have made four games of triples and allowed the nominated teams to play as entered. Winner on the day was awarded on best margin and this went to Bob Edwards and Richard Denman (continuing his good run of games) with a 27-11 win over Brian Porter and Dave Riddell.  Believe Brian was forced to retire due to illness and John Edmonds was good enough to fill in for him during the game.  Bernie’s daughter was kind enough to attend to present the prizes and say a few words in memory of Bernie.  Howard Lewis also passed on memories of Bernie as a good friend and Men’s President Bob Crowley paid tribute.  I repeat that tribute below.

The postponed final quarter final of the Senior Singles  was played on Friday 1st November.  Match was between Peter Watson and Steve Day and Bob Edwards was good enough to mark which took a little of the load off Bowls Secretary Dan Ticehurst.    Early running was with Peter who eased away to a comfortable 24-11 lead.  Three ends and four shots saw Steve close the gap a little to 24-15.  Five shots on the next two ends saw Peter up to a 29-15 lead and the game all but over.  Never say die, and Steve proceeded to take the next seven ends to close the gap and even the score at 29-29, a heck of a come back.  However, Peter held his nerve and won the next two ends for a very close 31-29 victory.

Sunday was the final round robin play in the Club Mixed Pairs.  Like so many events in bowls, a lot depends on the draw.  Both Jim Neely and Kevin Stafford were undefeated.  However, the draw had them play aginst each other in this round. Victory to Sylvia Handley and Kevin Stafford over Gail Fraser and Jim Neeely by three shots 23-20.  So Sylvia and Kevin proceed to the final. Shylie Brown and Harold Wall and Brian Porter with Rita South were the other undefeated teams,  Rita was in third position and Harold in fourth.  That draw again, as luck would have it, Harold and Rita also met in the third round with the winner to go into the final undefeated.  Who won, well it was mighty close with just one shot being the winning margin.  Congratulations to Shylie Brown and Harold Wall, as winners they go on to meet Sylvia and Kevin.  Final next Sunday.