Finals Weekend 2023
The weekend of 9 & 10 September saw all eight LHBC knock-out competitions decided. The weather was excellent for the first day - quite humid and very hot - but cooler on day two, with an occasional shower. It was a busy time for Mike Bradburn, playing in three finals, and several others playing in two.
Mike Caird Cup - Mike Caird beat Ruth Lowe 7-7, 11-2
Mike again reached the final to play for the cup he donated to the club in 2003. Ruth started well with two 2s, but Mike then took five unanswered shots over the next four ends. A two took Ruth back into the lead, but then Mike replied with a two to go into the last end one up. A single for Ruth tied the first set.
Mike started the second set strongly with a three and after four ends was 7-0 up. Ruth took a couple of singles, but then Mike closed out the game with an end to spare.
Tarmac Cup - Peter Hancock beat Mark Hussell 21-17
Mark started extremely well, finding the weight of the green right away and opening his account with a three and a four. However Peter then started to find his weight and scores were level at 9-9 after eight ends.
Both players were really on their game by now, drawing regular applause from the 'crowd' and exhausting marker Alan's supply of chalk spray! Peter continued to draw away, reaching 17-10 at one point. Mark then rallied, coming back to 14-17, but from there singles were traded and Peter ran out winner 21-17.
QRS Cup - Barry Geal beat Tony Forrester 21-15
This was a tightly fought game with the lead changing hands several times and, except in the last two ends, never more than four shots between the players. Barry held his nerve at the end, moving from 12-14 down to a 21-15 win in six ends.
Nuway Cup - Rod Payne beat Mike Bradburn 21-11
Both players started well and the scores were level at 4-4 after five ends. Rod then started to edge away with some excellent draw play, winning ten ends to Mike's three to run out 21-11 winner.
Day two was cooler and some overnight rain had just tempered the green. Forecasts suggested possible thunderstorms, so players 'got on with it' when possible.
Cyril Davies Cup - Colin Meadows beat Mike Bradburn 21-13
Both players started well, but Colin just edged the majority of the early ends and was 12-5 up after thirteen. Mike then found his mojo and two consecutive threes brought him within a point (11-12). A few shots were traded but from 14-13 up Colin won five straight ends to close out the game 21-13.
Pairs Shield - Mike Caird & Quentin Smith beat Sheila & Rod Payne 19-13
The game was tight from the beginning with the score 5-5 after six ends. Mike & Quentin then took four consecutive ends to lead 10-5.
Three more ends for Mike & Quentin to just one for Rod & Sheila left them looking comfortable at 14-7 up with four ends to play ... but ... they contrived to drop a five on the fifteenth end!
Another single to Rod & Sheila left Mike & Quentin one up with two to play and thinking they had blown a great chance. However they found a five on the seventeenth end and at 13-19 down Rod & Sheila graciously conceded without playing the final end.
Unusually, Mike & Quentin were the only defending champions in this years finals. Their win extends their club record to seven wins. Both also have wins in the competition with other partners, Mike with Pauline Scott in 2000 and Quentin with Frances Hill in 2010 and Keith Reynard in 2013.
Roy Warburton Cup - Mike Bradburn beat Barry Geal 21-14
Both players settled quickly into their strong drawing games and after five ends the score was 4-4. Tight ends were exchanged, with never more than a double scored, and after 19 ends the score was 14-12 to Mike.
Things changed suddenly, with Barry seemingly losing his weight a little and sending slightly short bowls, allowing Mike to score a crucial four. A further two on the next end put Mike 20-12 up and though Barry fought well, picking up a couple of singles, Mike closed out the game at 21-14.
Frank Richards Cup - Sheila Payne beat Ruth Lowe 21-17
These ladies of Lilleshall are great friends, but fiercly competitive, so this final promised great bowls and didn't disappoint.
Sheila started well with a three, but the next eleven ends saw seven shots apiece and the score at 10-7 to Sheila. A three for Ruth brought the scores level - and Sheila responded with a three!
Ruth responded, in characteristic style, with two singles to move within one shot, but Sheila then found six unanswered shots in three ends to lead 19-12.
No-one was surprised when Ruth picked up five shots in the next three ends to get back to 17-19, but Sheila found two shots in the next two ends, the last a draw to within inches when several shots down, to take the game.
The win brings Sheila's tally to five (2011, 2017, 2020, 2021 & 2023), but Ruth still holds the record with six wins (1996, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2016 & 2019). It's also notable that (barring 2020 when everything was up in the air with Covid) Ruth has contested every ladies final since 2016!
