Wright and Clarkson crowned bowls champs

The semi-finals of the men's singles and mixed pairs were contested followed by the finals of those events plus the ladies' singles and men's triples.

Despite poor weather in other parts of the country and even areas close to Hastings the only problems experienced during the week were a couple of showers and a very blustery wind on Thursday.

The Hastings Printing Co. Ltd Men's Singles was between local bowlers Frank Blackford (Clive Vale), who was enjoying best singles run to date, and Charles Wright (White Rock).

Both also played their semi-finals on the day with Wright claiming a convincing success over Ken Beaney (St Leonards) and Blackford a marathon 22-14 triumph against Barry Diplock (Gravesend) which went on for 29 ends. Perhaps that long game took its toll as Blackford let slip an 8-4 lead at the ninth end to lose 13 shots over the next four and go down 21-12.

Wright, 47, is no stranger to success having previously won 10 Sussex County titles, an English Champion of Champions crown and 15 open titles but never before the open singles title. He said: "After losing at the Bexhill Open recently I visited a sports psychologist, Stefan Japeski, who has an uncanny knack of being able to turn the most complicated situation into a simple one. He helped me soar with the eagles and hoot with the owls. Stefan helped rid me of doubt and fear. I always believe success is not forever and failure isn't fatal."

Wright also took the President's Cup awarded to the local player going farthest in the tournament.

The Clambers Men's Triples final proved to be a real nail-biter which, after some very tight heads and great bowling from all concerned, needed an extra end to decide the outcome.

The White Rock trio of Keith Cheetham, Kenny Bolton and Steve Jeapes didn't score until the seventh end and were trailing all the way to the 17th against the team of Tom Fletcher (White Rock), Gwyn Nicholls (Wimbledon) and "Tosh" Springate (Gillingham) until a superb bowl from Jeapes secured the two shots they needed to take the contest into an extra end. Bolton then took out Nicholls' holding shot and Springate was unable to move the jack to leave the Rockers to celebrate a 19-18 win.

Lorraine Milburn (White Rock) found Maxine Clarkson (unattached) on top form in the Anglo Irish Bank Ladies' Singles final and managed to pick up only eight shots to her opponent's 21 in a 15-end contest.

In the last final of the day, Maxine, in partnership with husband Eric (Rosemount) found herself on the receiving end of a drubbing, not surprising considering she had already played two matches that day, when the Anglo Irish Bank Mixed pairs event was won by Jill Lonsdale and Trevor Logan (both Morpeth), racing to a 21-2 victory after the Clarksons conceded at 10 ends.

Prior to the prize-giving, tournament chairman Gordon Baldock thanked all the players for taking part in the tournament, Hastings Borough Council, PAVCO , Onyx UK, the umpires and sponsors, plus tournament officers and committee members for their hard work. Umpire for the finals Viv Fermor (Eastbourne) was presented with a gift in appreciation of her voluntary work during the week

The trophies were presented by Lesley Knoll of Hastings Printing Co. Ltd, Ted Skelton of Clambers and Whitaker on behalf of Anglo Irish Bank.

The second week of the tournament is due to conclude on Friday August 27 with the finals of the men's and ladies' pairs, and men's fours.