Finals Weekend 2019
The weekend of 7 & 8 September saw the LHBC knock-out competitions decided.
Mike Caird Cup
Fine weather and a brisk breeze greeted the first players onto the green - Rod Payne and Quentin Smith playing for the Mike Caird Cup. Rod started well, taking two of the first three ends, but dropped a disastrous four to give Quentin momentum and Quentin ran out winner of the first set by 10 shots to 5 with an end to spare. He continued well at the start of the second set scoring eight shots over the first four ends. This left Rod chasing to make big scores and Quentin won the second set by 12 shots to 3, which did not reflect how close the game was.
Tarmac Cup
Next up was the first of two "domestic" matches, pitting Rod against wife Sheila for the Tarmac Cup. Though this is a handicapped competition both players were playing off scratch, so the game was straight 21-up.
Rod started well, picking up a four on the first end, but Sheila rallied and after five ends the score was level at 5-5. Three good ends for Rod put him ahead 12-6, but Sheila then took two and was able to shorten the jack length. This proved crucial as she found her form and virtually shut out Rod to finish 22-13 winner
QRS Cup
Next out were Cyril Conley and Colin Meadows, both playing their first final. A frantic start saw both pick up threes within the first 3 ends. Colin settled into his game quickly and steadily built up a 6-shot lead. At 9-18 down Cyril found inspiration and posted five unanswered shots to move to 14-18 but it was too little, too late and Colin scored a three to win 21-14.
Nuway Cup
The final game promised to be a tight contest between twice Worcestershire Ladies Singles champion Sheila Payne and the current Nuway Cup holder and also Worcestershire Men's Champion of Champions Quentin Smith ... it did not disappoint.
Both players started well and after seven ends the score was tied at 5-5. Sheila capitalised on a few loose bowls from Quentin to post a three and a two to take a 10-5 lead. Quentin responded, scoring nine unanswered shots to take a 14-10 lead, but Sheila promptly took two doubles to bring the scores level again at 14-14 after 17 ends. Bizarrely, in such a tight game, both players then dropped a three to bring the score to 17-all. Tactics were paramount, Sheila shortening the length to play to her indoor bowling strength, Quentin pushing out long jacks, especially to the fast dry ground under the trees. Two tight ends saw both players score a two to bring the scores level again at 19-19 before Quentin managed to find two singles to overcome Sheila's spirited resistance. This proved to be the only final this year where the holder retained their trophy.
Pairs Shield
First onto the green on day two was a repeat of last year's Pairs final with Mike Caird and Quentin Smith, attempting to win their fourth consecutive pairs title, playing Rod & Sheila Payne. The standard was good on a tricky rink which was drying off from overnight dew. Dropping a loose 4 on the third end set Mike & Quentin back, but they rallied to reach 8-10 after twelve ends ... only to drop another four! Doubles were exchanged to bring the score to 16-10 to Rod & Sheila with 6 ends remaining. With Mike & Quentin searching for big scores Rod & Sheila played tight defensive bowls and ran out 25-11 winners with an end to spare.
Cyril Davies Cup
Rod & Sheila were in action again in the afternoon, contesting the veterans' trophy. Sheila started the better and built up a 10-0 lead, aided by some unlucky plays by Rod which gave away shots. Rod fought back, and the standard of play was very high, but Sheila was always in control and ended up winning 21-9.
Roy Warburton Cup
The men's singles title was fought out between new member Bill Greenway and the QRS Cup champion Colin Meadows. Both players started well and after ten ends the score was level at 6-6. Bill then found some close draws and built a six-shot lead (13-7), only for Colin to fight back and briefly take the lead at 14-13. Bill then tightened his game and posted seven unanswered shots to lead 20-14, finally taking a three on the 24th end to win 23-14.
Frank Richards Cup
This was another repeat of the previous year's final, with Ladies' Champion Liz Caird playing Ruth Lowe. Ruth started very well on the tricky fast surface, scoring a four on the first end and leading 9-0 after just four ends. Liz fought back however, recovering from 2-11 down to 12-14. The ladies traded shots but the intial lead was too great for Liz to overcome and Ruth won 21-17 after 25 ends - just one end short of their marathon the previous year.
