Finals Weekend 2026

Finals weekend for 2026 was moved a week earlier than normal in an attempt to avoid games having to be delayed or even postponed to the start of the next season. However a dreadful weather forecast was proved correct and disruption ensued.

Day One - Friday 28 August

Mike Caird Cup - Peter Hancock beat Colin Meadows 2-0 (14-3, 14-2)

The first match was played on Friday afternoon, with Peter Hancock playing the first of his five finals (one better than the four he played last season) and defending his 2025 Caird Cup title against an in-form Colin Meadows. Peter started well, picking up five shots in the first two ends. Colin played well, and picked up a single and a double, but accurate drawing from Peter brought him two fours and the first set was concluded at 14-3 with two ends unplayed.

Peter was relentless in the second set and had eleven shots on the board in just four ends before Colin scored. At 14-2 with just three ends to play the best Colin could have achieved was to draw the set, which would not have been enough to force the tie break.

Day Two - Saturday 29 August

Day two started with the forecast steady rain which kept players and markers in their waterproofs (except for Mark Hussell who must be amphibious) and the spectators in the shelter of the clubhouse.

Cyril Davies Cup - Colin Meadows beat Rod Payne 21-11

Still smarting from his Caird Cup defeat, Colin Meadows faced Rod Payne, who was playing his second consecutive final in the veterans' competition.

Rod started well and was 5-0 up after three ends. Colin then found his true form and first equalised at 6-6 and then drew out a 12-7 lead. Singles were exchanged to bring the score to 15-9 in Colin's favour, but then Colin struck a killer blow with four shots in two ends to lead 19-9. Rod recovered with a single and led out a longer jack on the 21st end. Both players opened with touchers, Colin's just the better, and when Colin added a second shot he held game, but Rod eased out one of Colin's bowls to keep the match alive. A single for Rod took the score to 20-11, but Colin drew a close shot on the 24th end which Rod could not disturb and Colin emerged victorious, leaving the unlucky Rod runner-up in this competition for the second year running.

Nuway Cup - Mark Hussell beat Peter Hancock 21-16

Mark started exceptionally well, drawing close to the jack and taking five shots on the first two ends. He maintained the pressure and after seven ends had built up a 9-1 lead. Peter responded, setting longer jacks, and after twelve ends had drawn level at 10-10. Excellent play from both players saw Peter briefly in the lead and the scores level again at 16-16 after twenty ends.

Mark took a single to lead 17-16 and then surprisingly set a full-length jack playing towards the clubhouse. Three excellent bowls, with Peter coming up just a little short, put Mark in a strong position and when he added a fourth Peter faced match point. He played a controlled weight shot which just missed the shot bowl and the jack, leaving Mark to celebrate his victory - surprisingly his first in a Club singles competition.

Though the rain eased somewhat around lunchtime, the green had become very soft and damp and therefore the scheduled afternoon games were postponed.

Closing Presentations

At the conclusion of play, Club President Mike Caird presented the trophies to the winners of three games so far completed.

Day Three - Sunday 30 August

With a considerable improvement in the weather players were able to discard their waterproofs and even consider applying a sun-block.

QRS Cup - Mark Hussell beat Clive Walmsley 21-5

Mark was looking for his first win in the QRS following two unsuccessful appearances in the 2024 and 2025 finals. Both players started well, with the markers' chalk spray getting well used and the score was 4-4 after five ends. Mark then got into his stride and despite Clive's strong play Mark always had an answer - drawing the shot, easing out Clive's shot or trailing the jack. Within just a further eight ends Mark was leading 20-4. Clive scored a single, to enthusiastic applause from the watching members, but Mark came right back to close out the match - the final scoreline in no way reflecting the quality of Clive's play.

Warburton Cup - Peter hancock beat Colin Meadows 21-14

The men's singles championship saw Colin Meadows trying to avenge his Caird Cup defeat against Peter Hancock. Peter started the better, moving to 6-3 up, but Colin then rallied to equalise the scores and then lead 8-6. However Peter's accurate drawing brought him three consecutive triples to lead 15-8 at eleven ends. Shots were traded, but Colin could not claw back Peter's lead.

Pairs Shield - Sheila & Rod Payne beat Theresa & Peter Hancock 19-14

This was the showcase final to date, with all four players at the top of their game. Rod and Sheila started well, leading 8-0 after just three ends. However, after just three more ends Theresa and Peter had brought the scores level. From that point the game was very close, with never more than three shots between the teams and numerous ends decided by a single shot (and the umpire needing callipers on several occasions). Rod in particular played a fine game, drawing shots at key moments.

After 14 ends the score was 14-14. Sheila and Rod then picked up three crucial singles, leaving Theresa and Peter searching for a three on the final end to force a tie-break. With Sheila & Rod holding two, Peter had a tough shot to trail the jack for the three required, but his excellent attempt held just wide.

Presentations

The day concluded with the winners receiving their trophies from President Mike Caird.

Day Four - Tuesday 1 September

With further improvement in the weather the final two matches ofthe 2026 competitive season were completed.

Richards Cup - Theresa Hancock beat Sheila Payne 21-13

Both players started well and the score was 4-4 after five ends. Sheila pulled away to 7-4, but a good end from Theresa, with three shots within about 9", restored equality.

After two singles were traded Theresa pulled away with 1-1-2-1 to lead 13-8 until Sheila stopped the rot with a three. Theresa added a single to lead 14-11 and would have added more but for a great saving draw from Sheila when 3 down (14-12 to Theresa). Sheila added a single to draw within one shot but Theresa added two to lead 16-13

The 20th end was one of the most dramatic, Theresa was holding two but Sheila delicately trailed the jack to turn two down to two up. With her last bowl Theresa split Sheila's pair to run onto the jack for a single (17-13 Theresa). Keeping up the momentum Theresa opened with a close toucher which held its place (18-13) and in the next end Theresa played a full-length jack and drew three close shots which Sheila could not disturb.

Theresa's win complemented husband Peter's win in the Warburton Cup and gives Lilleshall husband and wife champions for the third time in just seven seasons, Rod & Sheila Payne winning in 2020 and Chris & Deb Sherriff in 2022.

Tarmac Cup - Peter Hancock (0) beat Mike Bradburn (2) 21-12

Mike started well, adding five unanswered shots to his 2 shot handicap advantage in four ends. Peter replied with a single and a three before two ends in which he opened with a close toucher. Those ends added five shots, taking Peter into a 9-7 lead. Brad responded with a double to bring the scores level at 9-9 after nine ends.

In the next end Mike opened well, his bowl within 2" of the jack, but unfortunately slipped while following his second bowl and fell heavily, prompting a slight deay. On resumption, Mike's bowl held it's place until Peter managed to edge it out with his last bowl. Peter opened well in the next end and scored a two, to lead 12-9. On the following end Mike scored two and brought the mat up to try to change his fortune. Peter was not put off however, collecting a triple (15-11 to Peter) and reverting to his preferred longer length.

Mike edged the next end to draw within three shots, but Peter then closed out the game with four consecutive ends, Mike possibly feeling the effects of his earlier stumble.

Presentations

The day concluded with presentations by President Mike Caird.