High fives all round for bowlers at Arun

ARUN

The annual Arun Fives competition was won by the day’s only unbeaten team.

A total of 60 players, forming 12 teams, took part and in the winning five, Derek Leach won his singles, Peter Green and Brian Butler won the pairs, Brian Rebbeck, David Sayers and Derek Leach won the triples and Rebbeck, Green, Sayers and Butler drew the fours, giving them seven out of eight points and the best shot difference.

Thanks were given to Peter Hannam and Denise Cooke for organising this successful and competiitive event, with next year’s already keenly anticipated.

Arun 127 Sussex Supporters 125

Arun ladies had a good, tight game with Sussex Supporters and won by two shots.

Scores: O Fidleon, E Taylor, E Cooke, D Latter lost 29-17; T Heal, J Connors, E Hall, B Bonnor won 21-20; D Mitchell, K Burnard, E Tooley, A Greenfield lost 27-22; J Foster, C Mayoss, L Napper, C Horsley won 24-22; J Simmons, M Butler, J Hole, M Richards won 21-15; S Pugh, S Simmons, G Morgon, B Jones won 22-12.

Preston 85 Arun 130

Arun ladies enjoyed a fine win in a friendly at Preston, winning five out of six rinks and by 45 shots.

Scores: J Foster, S Simonds, W Bury, C Horsley won 20-14; J Simmons, E Cooke, J Lindley, M Brown won 27-8; O Fidleon, K Burnard, L Baxter, B Bonnor lost 19-15; P Rampton, B Neate, E Tooley, M Phillips won 27-15; C Hobbs, P Jones, J Taffurelli, S Miles won 19-17; D Mitchell, J Connors, U Greenaway, D Latter won 20-12.

Arun 127 Ad-Finem 102

Ad-Finem, an association of bowlers from different clubs, visited Arun for their annual six-rink men’s fixture. Arun won by 25 shots, winning on four rinks and losing on two.

Scores: D Goodenough, P Easterbrook, E Dewing, PJ White lost 18-12; R Lincoln, L Hall, B Jones, J Pickard won 18-17; F Smith, D Taffurelli, J Saunders, R Humphreys lost 26-15; D Jackson, W Branford, N Waddock, R Gardner won 29-14; Bags Smith, C Burnard, E King, J Muffett won 28-12; RJ Smith, C Chester, B Lacy, B Sandford won 25-15.

Arun 127 West Sussex Tourists 104

The West Sussex Tourists visited Arun but the hosts won on four out of the six rinks and by 23 shots.

Scores: A Blyth, B Jones, K Burt, PJ White lost 27-10; B Rebbeck, D Sayers, B Sales, D Leach won 28-9; J Watson, D Gray, W Cato, J Muffett lost 18-16; P Green, D Parker, J Weatherall, B Why won 25-18; G Finch, D Jackson, M Johnson, B Napper won 24-16; F Smith, N Bashford, E Dewing, P Butler won 24-16.

Arun 166 Pips Pirates 86

The wins keep coming for Arun, the latest against an association of bowlers from the Hounslow/Feltham area.

Arun won by 80 shots, winning on five rinks and losing on one.

Scores: RJ Smith, H Forsyth, B Jones, E Dewing won 29-14; F Smith, L Hall, T Rexstrew, D Sayers lost 24-12; K Hellyer, C Chester, K Burt, PJ White won 45-12; R Lincoln, C Burnard, B Sanford, R Gardner won 21-17; D Jackson, N Waddock, D Parker, B Why won 32-7; N Short, B Fitch, D Spink, J Larkin won 27-12.

LAVANT

Finals Day at Lavant Short Mat Bowls Club saw the two Peters - Winter and Whale - contesting the men’s title.

Whale was in fine form and sgained a significant lead. Winter tried hard to reduce this but made little impression, the match being won in fine style by Whale.

Jackie Lee and Shelagh Lillywhite contested the ladies’ title. Both played well for a few ends but Jackie got into her stride while Shelagh fell behind, giving Jackie a convincing win.

Peter Whale & Jackie Lee and John Heasman with Peter Massey contested the pairs. Both winners brought their singles form to the mat and looked certain to win.

However steady, accurate bowls from Massey, with brave play from Heasman, put the last end just within reach. Whale had other ideas and took the end and the match with his last bowl.

Club chairman Peter Lee said it was the first time in the club’s history all three finals had been won by just two players.

Thanks went to Tony Boxall and Jean Conway, who officiated, Jean as competition secretary, and the unseen helpers.

CRABLANDS

Crablands Bitterns welcomed Walberton in their last match of the season. Bitterns scored six valuable points which put them at the top of the south west division two and secured promotion to division one.

Scores: Ted Murrell, Joan Taylor, Jim Saunders & Lil Tuck won 26-16; Jean Tolhurst, Iris Brown, Geoff Brown & Roy Tolhurst won 22-13; (friendly): Stevie Brooks, Vera Ashby, Les Howland & Les Dray won 25-12.

Crablands held their traditional Captain’s Day. On an enjoyable afternoon’s bowling, winners were Team H with a shot difference of plus 18.

In excellent spirit, Team J held up the rest with good grace and a shot difference of minus 20.

The outgoing captains are Sylvia Compton and Ron Osborn. Fellow members offered their appreciation to the duo.

DONNINGTON

Donnington short mat bowling club entertained Aldingbourne in their last friendly of the season.

An enjoyable tussle was won by Donnington by just 11 shots.

Scores: Rob Stone, Trevor Wilson, Terry Taws & John Roberts won 17-14; Brian Aston, June Martinelli, Innes Taylor & Vic Mitchell won 28-20.

OUTDOOR SCENE

WITTERINGS

The club’s open day takes place on Saturday, April 16 from 11am.

Members say they’d be pleased to see anyone who would like to learn to play outdoor bowls at the club in Downview Close, Stocks Lane, East Wittering.

The club, who also hold regular social events, have two county coaches who, with vast experience and expertise, will show new recruits how to bowl.

Whether you are an experienced or new bowler - young or not-so-young - you are urged to give it a try.

They play many friendly and league matches against other clubs.

On the open day, weather permitting, you will be able to try your hand at bowling.

If you decide to join, there is a promotion of a half-price one-off joining fee of £15 on the day.

Otherwise, contact secretary Chris Horsley on 01243 671968.

TELEPOST

Telepost Bowls Club open their season on Easter Monday, April 25, at 1pm in Swansea Gardens, Bognor.

Anyone thinking of learning bowling or wishing to revitalise their skills are invited to go for a free roll-up session. Coaching will be available on the day and throughout the season on Wednesday mornings between 10am and midday.

If you want to try bowling in a relaxing and sociable atmosphere you will be most welcome. For information contact Colin Mann on 01243 861139.