The inaugural Potters October Pairs event was launched at the famous Potters Resort at Hopton-on-Sea in Norfolk this week and culminated in a fabulous finale on the final day of bowls on Thursday. Marie Kitchener & Ivan Lunn had made a great start on the Tuesday as they reeled off six straight wins but Kerry Greenacre & Trish Taylor matched them also collecting twelve points to share the lead. The second day of play saw Norfolk pair Kerry & Trish edge into the lead on twenty points while three wins and three defeats for Marie & Ivan saw them slip into second place just two points behind. After three morning sessions on the last day of play Marie & Ivan had regained the lead moving onto twenty-four points with Kerry & Trish now back in second place on twenty-two points. Meanwhile North Yorkshire’s Paul Whitcombe and “King” Arthur Jackson had put together a run of wins taking them up to third place with twenty-one points. Two other pairs putting together late runs were Carol & Bob Taylor of Essex and Pat Hall & Richard Moore of Hevingham in Norfolk who were both on nineteen points with two afternoon sessions to play. The penultimate session saw both leading pairs losing while Whitcombe & Jackson and the Taylors both won which saw the North Yorks pair move into second place. The last session saw Marie Kitchener & Ivan Lunn clinch victory beating Kerry Greenacre & Trish Taylor 12-7 to end on twenty-six points. Paul Whitcombe & Arthur Jackson, despite losing 7-6 to Lynn & John Boddye, finished as runners-up on twenty-three points and +58 shots. Bob & Carol Taylor’s 10-5 win against Pat Hall & Richard Moore saw them snatch third place with twenty-three points and a +43 shot difference. In fourth place were Kerry Greenacre & Trish Taylor who finished with twenty-two points and +71 shots. The Presentation Ceremony saw the first four pairs all receive Potters Bowls Holidays vouchers. Next year’s event, set to start on Monday 20th October 2025, was completely sold out by the end of the competition but Potters Resort may be able to make a couple of extra rooms available. Anyone interested should contact Event Organiser Teresa Goldsmith for details. All single rooms were rebooked and it is unlikely that anymore will be made available.
Final Positions
Champions Marie Kitchener & Ivan Lunn. R/Up Paul Whitcombe & Arthur Jackson, 3rd Bob & Carol Taylor, 4th Kerry Greenacre & Trish Taylor. Joint 5th Cheryle Grabham & Bob Cousins, Ann Walker & Bob Oatway. 7th Glen & George Hume. 8th Pat Hall & Richard Moore. Joint 9th Paul Taylor & Michael Rice. Jill & Colin Hayman. 11th Lynn & John Boddye. Joint 12th Gill & Russell Davidson. Ian Cornwall & Richard Broad. 14th Steve & Val Easter. 15th Andy & Donna Mills. 16th Richard Kitchener & Andy George. 17th Val Vardy & Margaret Reynolds
Photo Call
Winners Marie Kitchener & Ivan Lunn
Runners-up Paul Whitcombe & Arthur Jackson
Third were Bob & Carol Taylor
Fourth place Trish Taylor & Kerry Greenacre
