CLIFFS CLASSIC 2008

1st – 6th JUNE 2008

Boy, anyone who decided not to attend the 2008 Cliffs Classic must have been regretting that decision! In a return to the usual stunning ‘Cliffs’ weather, bowlers were welcomed with glorious sunshine throughout their five days in Blackpool.

With the sun beating down (after a misty breakfast!) on the excellent facilities at Cleveleys W.M.C., the Mixed Pairs set the standard for the week with some quality bowling, as the fight for the top two places in each of four groups got under way. With the format allowing for a lunch break, and the Clubhouse turning out everything from sandwiches to full meals, full advantage of the catering was taken, with one guest tucking into steak pudding, chips and vegetables despite the huge offerings at the Cliffs Hotel! Club member and ex-Waterloo Champion, Len Higginbottom, looked on from the sidelines as the afternoon session completed a memorable first visit to Cleveleys W.M.C. The first day concluded with the customary Bingo and Quiz evening put on by Messrs. Duncan and Rigby.

With the location of the Cliffs Hotel right on the seafront of the Queens Promenade at Blackpool, its excellent food and evening entertainment, and full leisure facilities, guests were well placed to get the most from Britain’s leading seaside resort. With the Singles events taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Gardeners Arms and Layton Institute greens, bowlers were also getting to bowl on quality facilities with both greens ‘running’ extremely well. By Wednesday evening the competition was down to the Quarter-Final stages, which commenced on Thursday morning at the Waterloo Hotel.

Making a good recovery from the drainage work recently undertaken, the Waterloo was bathed in sunshine – ideal conditions for the appreciative audience who witnessed some superb bowling. None performed better than Marion Kniveton who reached both the Mixed Pairs (with husband Tony), and Ladies Finals in a real test of finals day stamina. Also, in a first for the Cliffs Festival, Brian Duncan lost both his Exhibition games 9 – 8 to the delight of the crowd.

The 2007 Men’s Champion, Bryan O’Neill, eventually took the 2008 Mixed Pairs trophy with partner Josie Ibbotson, and in the Singles, 2001 Ladies Champion, May Hazeldine, overcame Marion in the latter stages of their final. In the Men’s, Tom Hague bowled extremely well to defeat Graham Oliver who has set an enviable record of appearing in five of the last six finals, and winning the event three times. A wonderful day of bowling was concluded with a Gala Dinner back at the Cliffs Hotel, followed by cabaret and promises to return in 2009!

Provisional dates for 2009 have been set as May 31st - June 5th, and booking forms should be available by July 1st by calling 01257 450991 or downloading from www.essellesport.com.

MIXED PAIRS

Bryan O’Neill (Oldham) & June Ibbotson (Ashton-under-Lyne) 15
Tony & Marion Kniveton (Derby) 7

LADIES’ SINGLES

May Hazeldine (Whitworth) 21
Marion Kniveton (Derby) 15

MEN’S SINGLES

Tom Hague (Sheffield) 21
Graham Oliver (Bingley) 10

EXHIBITION MATCHES

Brian Duncan 8
Ann Atkinson (Furness) 9

Brian Duncan 8
Brian Costello (Stockport) 9