Bowling Festival’s Fantastic Finale

The Freeport Fleetwood Bowling Festival had a fantastic finale as a great week of bowls came to an end on Friday. The Grand Finals of all of the events saw some superb bowls played by the competitors who were watched by an appreciative crowd of about 400 spectators. The Men’s Singles final was between Gary Ellis, last year’s Waterloo winner, and local bowler Darren Edmondson (Singleton). The game was level in the early stages before Ellis surged ahead to win 21-11 to claim the title and the £1,000 first prize.

In the Ladies Singles final Cath Lockwood (Preston) played Kendal’s Joyce Foxcroft- a past winner of the event. The game was finely balanced at 20 all and Cath had a wood 2 feet from the jack for game. Joyce played her final bowl and saw it stop just short of winning. Cath Lockwood raised her arms in victory winning 21-20 and the £1,000 first prize. Both the Men’s and Ladies’ Singles winners also qualify for the Champion of Champions events at The Waterloo in September. The winners were presented with their trophies by representatives from Freeport, the Festival’s main sponsors.

Results

Men’s Singles Last 8: G. Ellis (Manchester)   21 A. Cairns (Rossendale) 15, D. Walker (Swinton) 15 K. Boon (Congleton) 21, D. Edmondson (Singleton) 21 M.Holcroft (Blackpool) 19, J. Hamer (Halifax) 21 D. Jackson (Macclesfield) 18.

Semi-Finals: Ellis 21 Boon 14, Edmondson 21 Hamer 17.

Final: Ellis 21 Edmondson 11.

Ladies Singles Last 8: W. Allen (Kirkham) 13 G. Cooper (Birkenhead) 21, R. Manning (Liverpool) 18     J. Foxcroft (Kendal) 21, J. Gardner (Greasby) 21 A. Cornthwaite (Preston) 19, J. Green (Shrewsbury) 20 C. Lockwood (Preston) 21.

Semi-Finals: Foxcroft 21 Cooper 19, Lockwood 21 Gardner 10.

Final: Lockwood 21 Foxcroft 20.

Men’s Fleetwood Shield (Sponsored by Ladbrokes) Final: R. Goddard (Shrewsbury) 21 D Lunn (Congleton) 20.

Ladies Fleetwood Shield (sponsored by Wiltshire Farm Foods) Final: C. Mizon (Huddersfield) 21 G. Cooper (Birkenhead) 19.

Mixed Pairs Competition (Sponsored by Stena Line) Final: K. Herrington (Chesterfield) & F. Fargher (Prescot) 21 M. Sweetman (Liverpool) & P. Murphy (Blackpool) 12.

7Up Pairs (Sponsored by The co-operative funeralcare) Winners: Mrs C.  Kaye (Mirfield) & A. Derby (Radcliffe).

Men’s Consolation Winner: J. Chetwood Congleton)

Ladies Consolation Winner: M. Lyons (Liverpool)

Junior Competitions (Sponsored by Tony Blundell Motor Engineers and Mercian Travel)

Under 11years: Calum Broadhurst-aged 9 (Macclesfield) 11 Ryan Walters-aged 10 (Birmingham) 9.

11 Years and over: Ben Gloag-aged 12 (Stockport) 11 Thomas Rolinson-aged 13 (Thornton) 5.

The Fleetwood Festival Committee would particularly like to thank the following for supporting the 2010 event: the sponsors, the raffle providers, the many helpers and volunteers, without who’s help the Bowling Festival could not take place, the Wyre Borough Council and the Marine Hall Waterfront Venue for providing their greens and staff in support of the Festival and the members of the bowling clubs for providing help and a constant supply of tea and coffee. Finally, thanks go to all of the competitors for entering the Freeport Fleetwood Bowling Festival this year and we hope that you will support it again by entering the 2011 competition early.