Bowls round-up: New names inscribed on Maidenhead Thicket BC honours board after finals day

MAIDENHEAD THICKET BC

Maidenhead Thicket’s finals day produced a few new names for the honours board, with the main club championships won by Kevin Scrace who beat Russell Harper thanks to a late surge, and Nicola Jones, who edged out Sue Goodchild.

Russell Harper was second best again in both the two-wood and men’s handicap competitions, losing to Kevin Scrace and Chris Goodchild respectively. He did, however, finally get his hands on a trophy after partnering Tommy Hanks to victory over Scrace and Ian Pulsford in the men’s pairs final.

The ladies pairs champions were Angela Isaac and Gemma Hanks, who overcame Jenny Bosley and Sue Goodchild, while Angela came out on top, with the final wood of an extra end, against Sue as the pair went head to head in the two-wood.

Ladies champ Nicola Jones was also triumphant in the handicap final against Kim Barao, but lost out to Tommy Hanks in the Courage Cup.

Other winners were Paul and Elaine Worthy who were pushed all the way in a marathon final by Graham Lock and Jenny Bosley. Other winners were Chris Goodchild in the 55s competition and Richard Thrift, Steve Isaac and Kim Barao in the Mixed triples.

Proud club President Sheila Gwilliam and Club Captain Steve Isaac handed out the trophies to end a very warm and successful weekend.

DESBOROUGH BC

Desborough ran out of steam as they went down by eight shots against Thatcham at Reading in the double fours county final. Desborough’s team managed to get within one shot of their rivals before falling away to lose 52-44.

The club responded by finishing off the job against Maidenhead Town in the second leg of the Hot Dog Challenge, winning by 16 shots (101-85).

Desborough won on three of the six rinks but it was the strength of those winning rinks, in particular Roger Lewis, Mark Harris and Dave Wagner, who won 28-6, that got the Green Lane team over the line.

In the TVL Desborough’s Bluebells beat Bracknell 8-2. The Buttercups went down by the same scoreline against Palmer Park.

WINDSOR & ETON BC

Tony Scott represented Berkshire in the National Men’s Singles finals in Leamington earlier this month, falling at the second hurdle.

The pendulum swung both ways in his opening match against Chris Smith from Kent, but after drawing level at 19-19, Scott took the next two shots to claim a 21-19 victory. However, his run in the finals was ended the next morning by a 21-8 defeat.

Windsor & Eton proved too strong for Carlsberg BC from Northamptonshire in last week’s friendly. They won the tie 127-100 with Les Swaney, Brian Binstead, Pauline Hayward and Martin Allum taking top rink.

WINDSOR GREAT PARK BC

Windsor Great Park achieved some late successes this week as their season draws to a conclusion.

The mixed team won on all four rinks in an 80-44 home success against Wargrave before visiting Wexham and beating them 113-78 away.

They then managed to draw with Bishops Duppas where the rinks were shared. Top rink honours on that occasion went to Pat Fletcher, Ken Kinghorn and Ron Willett.

Ken Kinghorn skipped Bruce Cox and Peter Simms to top rink honours in an entertaining 75-75 draw at home to Staines in the men's triples. The team followed that with a 104-73 loss at Twyford, Charlie Dorey (skip), Brian Joiner and John Yates playing their best rink.

The Ladies Royal Shield side won their match at home to Windsor & Eton BC, taking eight points, but Gail Dorey, Viv Martin and Angela Willett picked up the only winning rink in a defeat to Desborough. With one shield game left to play Park will finish fourth overall, a slight improvement on last year.