North Wales Bowling Festival 2008

7th – 12th September 2008

After declining numbers over the last few years for the North Wales Festival, organisers Esselle Sports were delighted to announce that numbers were up 26% for the 2008 event. Past guests together with those at the 2007 Festival were canvassed for their thoughts on how to turn around the situation and between everyone involved it seemed to have worked a treat!

Therefore, for 2008 in addition to the accommodation packages offered at Pontins at Prestatyn, the nearby 3* Beaches Hotel, right on the beach front, was added with a five or six night half-board option, and this flexibility seemed to be just the ticket. With a full leisure complex including pool, the relaxed atmosphere in the Promenade Bar, and a varied menu changed daily, the Beaches proved a very worthy addition to the Festival, and a lot of interest was shown by everyone for 2009.

With increased numbers it was a pleasure to welcome Rhyl Seabank Bowling Club back as a host club and together with the ever-upgrading Grove Park and the excellent Abergele Bowling Club the bowling surfaces for the Singles and Mixed Pairs were all in superb condition. Competition was fierce in the individual and pairs events – indeed the eventual Mens Champion was to lose his first two games in the round-robin Singles! The Singles groups of nine or ten bowlers meant that the top two in each group went through into the main events, with 3rd and 4th placed bowlers going into the Consolation, whilst in the Mixed Pairs bowling in groups of six pairs the top pair in each group made the Quarter-Finals. Therefore, by Wednesday evening all qualifiers were known, and whilst the Main and Consolation Singles were playing in further round-robins at Abergele Bowling Club, the Plate event for those outside of the top four was under way at the picturesque Botanical Gardens, Rhyl where even more round-robins were producing Quarter-Finalists for Friday morning’s play at the North Wales Bowls Centre on East Parade sea front at Rhyl.

Despite an horrendous summer, and difficult conditions for the Isle of Man Festival the week before, only ten minutes of rain was suffered all week, and the conditions continued for a lovely day’s bowling for the Finals. And the bowling was immense with no more than six chalks separating any of the Finals! Steve and Chris Davies missed out on the Mens and Ladies Consolation events to 12 and 13 respectively, with Len Stocks getting reward for loyal attendance over the years. Special mention to Derek Riley who retained his Mens Plate title, as well as partnering wife Eileen to the Mixed Doubles title, and also to Denise Freeman and John Hamer in the main Singles events making them both holders with most titles at North Wales over the years. Indeed, Denise’s victory over Betty Dickinson 21-20 was a classic and a great effort from both bowlers. Trophies were presented green-side by Ken Hardman, Vice-President for North Wales C.G.B.A.

Esselle are looking forward to being able to announce the 2009 dates shortly, so keep an eye on their website, www.essellesports.com or call 01257 450991 from the end of October for a booking form.

LADIES PLATE

Brenda Hamlett (Rotherham) 15
Edna Wright (Barnsley) 10

MENS PLATE

Derek Riley (St. Helens) 15
Peter Wright (Sheffield) 10

LADIES CONSOLATION

Sue Tuffy (Rochdale) 15
Christine Davies (Rotherham) 13

MENS CONSOLATION

Len Stocks (Rotherham) 15
Stan Davies (Rotherham) 12

MIXED PAIRS

Derek & Eileen Riley (St. Helens) 15
Alan & Joan Skidmore (Coventry) 9

LADIES SINGLES

Denise Freeman (Manchester) 21
Betty Dickinson (Worksop) 20