Thanks go to all the players who turned out on a bitterly cold day, and to the club members who made the sweep go as smoothly as usual.
Romiley's Keith Fantom, with winner Gareth Gwilliam on the left and Runner Up Tony Gatley (right)
Open Competitions in Stockport Area - 2008 Season
Romiley Arms Good Friday Open
On a bitterly cold but largely dry day it was Nursery's Gareth Gwilliam who ultimately came out on top, repeating his win in the sweep in 2004.
After making short work of a rusty Dave Jackson in the 2nd round, Gwilliam took out two Romiley men in his next two rounds getting the better of Joe Bradbury and then Ivor Hulme 21-14. In the top half of the draw Warrington's Tony Gatley was making steady progress with wins against LMRCA's Keith Robins, Royal Oak's Andy Jones and then Peter Sturch. After being 12-5 in front of Martin Hodson in the last 8, Gatley found himself level at 16-16. An end of game rally though saw him run up a 5 break to win 21-16.
In the semis Gwilliam came up against Woodley's Steve Crowther who was showing what an advantage it has been to brave the cold in the winter at Stockport Cricket club, taking Gwilliam all the way before finally running out of steam to fall 21-16. In the other semi, local bowls internet radio guru Mark Mills was hoping to make it an all Nursery final. After a titanic struggle in the quarter final that saw him edge out Mark Barlow 21-18, Mills just couldn't reproduce his prior dash to the line and lost 21-15.
The final was a close affair with Gatley and Gwilliam level several times, with both going for the corners at different times as the game ebbed and flowed. With the scores level once more at 15 all it looked like going all the way to the wire but some inspired edge play firstly up the church side then the top edge gave Gwilliam two doubles to forge into a 19-15 lead. Stood in the far corner the expectant crowd expected him to go back up the edge but he went for a 3 quarter corner mark and put two bowls within two feet which were good enough to win him the game and the sweep. Keith Fantom, Romiley chairman was on hand to present the winnings.
Thanks go to all the players who turned out on a bitterly cold day, and to the club members who made the sweep go as smoothly as usual.
Romiley's Keith Fantom, with winner Gareth Gwilliam on the left and Runner Up Tony Gatley (right)
George & Dragon Good Friday Invitation 16
Result, FINAL KERRY MORRIS 21, ANDY BUCKLEY 16,
Ssemis, Morris 21, Carl Armitage 18, Buckley 21 Bob Hitchen 9.
A good crowd endured some artic conditions at this years event, Stoke's Kerry Morris, the only player not to make pre-match practice because of a travel mix up opened up at 12-1 against 2006 winner Dave Mcdermott, scraping home 21-20. He then put out last years winner Glynn Cookson 21-12. In the semi-final he faced Warringtons
Carl Armitage , who was a last minute substitute for an injured Tommy Johnstone. Armitage had been impresive in his two opening games against Chris Brown and G.I. Wilson but trailed Morris 18-11 before going down 21-18.
In the other half of the draw Andy Buckley, was back to his best after returning to the event after his prolonged injury lay off and had disposed of Andy Spragg and Mike Tunstall, In the semi he faced Bob Hitchen who had edged out Andy Cairns 21-18. Buckley raced into an early lead and ran out a 21-9 winner.
The Final was tight at 13-12 in Morris's favour when Buckley played a couple of loose ends which cost him dearly,
Morris going on to play some precision bowls to record a 21-16 victory and lift the trophy.
Regards to all,
Tom Heyes, [hope its warmer next year]