Regrettably the Wellington Weekly News failed to publish the full article about last weekend's finals.

There were ten outdoor competitions this summer. All ten were organised by Trevor Jenkins, who has not been a member of the club for very long but has already made a huge contribution to the club. The first five competition finals were held last Saturday afternoon, starting at 2 p.m.

Kathy Alford and Angie Moore had battled their way through to the final of the Ladies Two-Wood Competition. Both ladies played well but Angie got to grips with a tricky rink 2 first and won the game and the competition by 17 shots to 7.

In all, 38 members entered the Men's Championship Singles Competition, so it was no surprise that the finalists were two of the best male bowlers at the club. Phil Ellis and Nick Channon came face to face in the final on a very hot Saturday afternoon. As expected, both bowlers played well but it was Phil who bowled more consistently and pulled ahead to win the match by 21 shots to 11.

36 members entered the Men’s Two-Wood Competition this year so the two finalists, Julian Street and Martin Speakman had had to work hard to get to the final. It was extremely close from the beginning. After eight ends they were level pegging on 6 shots each. After 20 ends and with only one more end to play, Julian led by one shot, 13 – 12 but in that last end Martin managed to win the all important 2 shots to win the end, the game and the competition by 14 shots to 13.

14 new members took part in the New Bowlers competition. The finalists were Andy Dart and Darren Sparks. Andy set off at pace and by the sixth end was 7 – 3 up but Darren fought back to catch up and overtake to win the match and the competition by 21 shots to 11.

Probably the most exciting match was the Men's Pairs Final. Paul Kelly and Dave Bridger took on Graham Brown and Alan Every. The spectators knew this would be a very close match between four top bowlers. And so it proved to be. Graham and Alan set off at pace and took a small lead. After eight ends they were one shot up, 8 shots to 7. They continued to hold a slight lead in the next six ends but with only three more ends to play Graham and Alan were three shots to the good. The spectators saw some brilliant bowling, but despite Paul and Dave trying everything they could it was Graham and Alan who pinched the match and the competition by 19 shots to 13.

The following day five finals were due to be played. Christine Willcocks and Sally Waygood had each fought their way through to the final of the Ladies Championship but unfortunately Christine was not able to play on that day so she conceded the match and Sally became the competition winner.

The Open Championship Final was a very closely fought battle between Nick Channon and Robert Higgs. Rob settled first and took a small lead but by the tenth end they were all square on 7 shots apiece. Then the tide began to turn and Nick pulled away a bit at a time to win the match and the competition 21 shots to 18.

The Men’s Handicap was another closely fought affair between Julian Street and Rod Troake. There was very little between them all through the game but Julian won overall by 22 shots to 17.

The Ladies Handicap was between Marguerite Nichols and Debbie Lane. Debbie started off the better and by the seventh end she led 7 shots to 6, but Marg soon got into her stride and moved slightly ahead. After 14 ends she led by three shots, 14 – 11, but Debbie could not keep pace Marg went on to win the match and competition 21 – 11.

In the Amy Stanton Mixed Pairs Competition Graham Brown and Maggie Milton came up against Mike and Gill Groves. After 17 ends, and with just one end to play, Mike and Gill led by two shots, 17 – 15. In the last end, Graham and Maggie were holding three shots when Mike came to the mat and bowled down a real beauty which ended up tight on the jack to take the match and the competition by 18 shots to 15.