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When all the weather forecasts are telling you that you are going to get very wet next week at your Bowling Festival, as organiser, you get very nervous! It’s always easy to say “you can’t do anything about it”, but it obviously impacts on everyone’s enjoyment. As it turned out, there was no need to worry!

Barring one period of about 40 minutes, all the rain fell at night throughout the week, and generally there were a number of bright, sunny periods every day. Consequently, no time was lost getting underway at the three qualifying greens at Abergele B.C., Grove Park and last year’s newcomer, St. Asaph with all greens in good order and producing very different challenges.

With entries very close to 2010 levels, there were still a number of new faces in attendance including the first ever bowlers from the Isle of Man, and there were a number of surprises in the Singles events, with several well-fancied bowlers not getting to grips with the Welsh greens as they might have expected. Consequently, the Ladies’ event looked very wide open, with the Mens’ having perhaps more ‘recognised’ challengers including many time Champion John Thompson, John Hamer and Keith Herrington with his ‘see-thru’ bowls.

Wednesday, as is traditional, was Mixed Pairs day with bowlers on their third green in their rotation, and then Thursday saw the Main and Consolation events at the excellent Abergele B.C., and the Plate competitions at the East Parade Bowling complex. Therefore, by Friday morning, and check-out from the Pontins Holiday Centre or the Beaches Hotel, there were Quarter-Finals to be played in the Mixed Pairs and Plate competitions, and Semi-Finals of the Main and Consolation events.

In the Mixed Pairs Leon and May Hazeldine crowned an excellent debut at this event by narrowly losing the Final to Steve and Chris Davies (very experienced on the No. 1 green at East Parade!). Colin Knight edged out Alan Fargher to 13 in probably the best final of the day, the Mens’ Consolation. John Thompson took the Mens’ crown for the fourth time, whilst a new name, Karen Portman, appeared on the Ladies’ Singles Roll of Honour.

As always, the event was much enjoyed due to its good greens, hospitable host clubs and camaraderie between bowlers, and the contribution of the referees and recorders from the Welsh, Wirral and North Lancs. and Fylde societies.

Details of the 2012 event will be available in early November on our website, www.essellesports.com or by calling 01257 450991.

LADIES’ PLATE PAIRS

Maxine Crompton (Rotherham) 15

Sue Tuffy (Rochdale) 7

MENS’ PLATE PAIRS

Len Stocks (Rotherham) 15

Brian Costello (Stockport) 2

LADIES’ CONSOLATION

Samantha Nelson (Rochdale) 15

Irene Jackson (Oldham) 10

MENS’ CONSOLATION

Colin Knight (Leigh) 15

Alan Fargher (Prescot) 13

MIXED PAIRS

Steve & Christine Davies (Rotherham) 15

Len & May Hazeldine (Whitworth) 12

LADIES’ MAIN

Karen Portman (Doncaster) 21

Kath Brown (Middleton) 7

MENS’ MAIN

John Thompson (Prestwich) 21

Ian McDade (Preston) 13