MALDON Bowls Club members demonstrated their skills at the club finals over the weekend.
More than 40 spectators attended each day as the club’s players contested nine titles in perfect weather conditions on a well-prepared surface.
Saturday began with the pairs, where Ron Thackray and Barry McDonagh overcame Peter Saunders and Geoff Cox 24-10.
The contest was closely fought early on, but Thackray and McDonagh established control during the second half to secure the opening title.
The Men’s Singles Championship followed, with Andy Squire facing Colin Wall.
Squire’s decision to place the mat well up the rink proved decisive as he moved clear and completed a convincing 21-5 victory.
The success saw Squire retain the title.
Bobby Bruce and Brenda Ward produced a much tighter Ladies Singles final, with the lead changing hands several times.
Bruce eventually prevailed 21-14 to claim the championship for the first time.
Squire returned to the green soon afterwards to meet Paul Callow in the Mixed Two Woods Singles.
Callow reduced the deficit from 5-13 to 10-14, but Squire remained composed and finished with a 21-11 win.
The victory secured the trophy for the 17th consecutive year.
Ron Thackray then faced Eric Dow in the Junior Cup, where the players remained closely matched throughout the contest.
Dow edged in front late on and completed a 21-16 success.
The Novice’s Cup provided another entertaining encounter between Chris Timcke and Steve Nicholls.
Both players produced a series of high-quality bowls, but Nicholls held his nerve to win 21-15.
Sunday’s opening final was the Mixed Triples, with Phil Arnold, Carole Ash and Steve Morrison taking on David Underdown, Ward and Callow.
The sides were level at 14-14 after 14 ends before Underdown’s rink won the final four ends, earning them a 21-14 victory.
The afternoon programme featured four singles finals, beginning with the Veterans’ Trophy.
Wall met Barry McDonagh and maintained control for much of the contest, securing a 21-12 win.
The Men’s Handicap final saw Dave Bruce start with a two-shot advantage against Kevin Cornwell.
Bruce made the stronger start and led 10-2, but Cornwell fought back to trail 15-14.
A count of four moved Bruce further ahead before he added two more shots to complete a 21-14 victory.
In the Edie Feller Singles, Callow finished his weekend with a comfortable win against Timcke.
Meanwhile in the Ladies Handicap, Helen Philpott faced Ward in a closely contested final.
With both players carrying the same handicap, the match featured consistently accurate bowling and several momentum shifts.
Philpott led 13-7 before Ward responded with two counts of three to level the scores.
Ward then capitalised on her renewed momentum to win 21-17.
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Both players were applauded by the spectators after a high-quality contest.
The weekend concluded with praise for competition secretary John Rawlinson, who was assisted by McDonagh in organising the event.
Thanks were also given to the bar staff, greenkeepers, kitchen staff and other volunteers whose work helped the finals run smoothly.
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