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With a 20% increase in numbers for the 2009 Cliffs Classic, a heatwave greeted bowlers to sunny Blackpool for the arrival day to this year’s Festival, and with a nice mixture of first-timers and ‘old hands’, Monday morning saw all competitors into action for the Mixed Pairs.

Once more the excellent venue of Cleveleys Mens’ Club, with its quality green and superb catering, was amongst the host greens and the field seemed very open with two qualifiers going through. Indeed stand-in bowler, referee Larry Whiteley, and his partner Ronnie Lyon performed excellently to qualify from their group.

With additional greens being utilized at St. Annes Ex-Servicemens’ Club and Layton Institute, the singles events were played over Tuesday and Wednesday, and with both 2008 Champions Tom Hague and May Hazeldine included it was certain they would take some beating. So it proved, as Tom made it all the way to the Final, although May lost out in qualifying in an incredibly tough Ladies’ line-up. Although slightly cooler on Wednesday than previously, the Blackpool and Fylde coast was still warmer and sunnier than forecast, and by Thursday’s Finals Day the sunshine was back again.

Once again, the Waterloo Hotel was the venue for the Finals, and although the pub wasn’t quite open yet, Jimmy Parker’s team kept a ready supply of tea, coffee and sandwiches coming. The Finals Day saw two classic singles finals – in the Ladies’, Doris Dunning who had been 13 – 5 down in her semi to Marie Sutcliffe but rallied to win 15 – 13, just edged Brenda Green from Sutton-in-Craven 21 – 20 in an epic struggle. Meanwhile the Mens’ Final was very similar as Keith Herrington of Chesterfield (the man with the ‘see-through’ woods) edged out Tom Hague 21 – 18. In the Mixed Pairs Champions Graham Oliver and Marie Sutcliffe proved too strong for Larry Whiteley and Ronnie Lyon. Pride of place however goes to Irene Costello of Stockport who triumphed over Brian Duncan in their exhibition game on the Waterloo!

As usual an excellent Presentation Dinner at the Cliffs Hotel rounded off a wonderful bowling holiday, and for 2010 the organisers are hoping to have a 20 year reunion for all those guests who have participated in the Cliffs Classic – watch this space!

MIXED PAIRS

Graham Oliver & Marie Sutcliffe (Bingley) 15
Larry Whiteley (Preston) & Ronnie Lyon (Whiston) 3

LADIES SINGLES

Doris Dunning (Liversedge) 21
Brenda Green (Sutton-in-Craven) 20

MENS SINGLES

Keith Herrington (Chesterfield) 21
Tom Hague (Sheffield) 18

Dates for 2010 are expected to be June 6th – 11th 2010.