The annual East Coast Over 50’s Short Mat Bowls Week at Potter’s five star rated resort on the Norfolk coast saw a record number of competitors battling to lift the East Coast Triples Cup in the famous International Arena. It was fitting that a tremendous final was only decided by the last bowl of the match. A Cambridgeshire triple comprising of Bob Taylor of Willow Park and Jean & Derek Retchless of Emneth faced Kent’s Maureen Richards, Jan Davey & Jim Davey of Woodpeckers SMBC. On the first end Jim Davey produced a superb last wood to take shot and score two shots to put the Kent triple ahead. A good battle between the leads Jean Retchless & Maureen Richards on the second end produced a tight head but Bob Taylor drew in to take shot. Jim Davey drew in a great wood on the backhand but could not prevent Derek Retchless taking one shot. On the third end Bob Taylor played a superb shot to trail the jack back while Derek Retchless added a second but Jim Davey produced a forcing shot to brilliantly take shot and a 3-1 lead. Jim Davey drew in to take shot on the next end and despite Derek Retchless replying with an excellent effort Davey’s triple held on to move 4-1 up. After Maureen Richards opened the fifth end with a toucher Jean Retchless drew in a perfect bowl to take shot. Despite Jan Davey’s best efforts to change things Derek Retchless drew in a second wood. A determined effort by Jim Davey scraped the side of the jack but ran through and Retchless drew in a third bowl to level the game at 4-4. On the penultimate end Maureen Richards drew a toucher to take shot and it remained in place until it was the skips turn to play. Retchless tried a pacey backhand shot that failed to come off and Davey’s triple moved 5-4 ahead. On a dramatic last end Bob Taylor took shot with a forehand bowl to put the pressure on the Kent triple before a great last bowl by Derek Retchless earned two shots for his triple leaving the Cambs triple celebrating a 6-5 win to lift the Potter’s East Coast Triples Cup. Spectators enjoyed every minute of a final played in a brilliant sporting manner and gave both triples a great ovation at the end. In the third place play-off match North Yorkshire’s David Brown, Derrick Johnson & Keith Hughes made a tremendous start against Richard Broad of Shropham, Margaret Rea of Sutton St Edmunds and James Delaney of Banham and sealed a 13-5 win. In the semi-finals Derek Retchless beat James Delaney 11-5 while Jim Davey beat Keith Hughes 7-4. The Kent Woodpeckers triple of Pauline Friel, Tony Friel & Peter Richards had won the title the last two years but their brave attempt to complete a hat-trick was thwarted when they lost their last group stage game in the Blue Group which proved to be the tightest of the four groups. Jean Retchless, Bob Taylor & Derek Retchless won the Blue Group with 16 points and a +43 shot difference. Peter Richards’ triple also finished on 16 points but with a +42 shot difference while Derek Seaman, David Blundell & John Jarvis finished on 16 points with +39 shots. Maureen Richards, Jan Davey & Jim Davey won Black Group with 16 points, one point ahead of Viv Smith, Lonnie Fyson & Maureen Fyson. The Red Group saw David Brown, Derrick Johnson & Keith Hughes lead the way with 18 points, two points ahead of Di Boswell, George Hume & Mike Boswell. The only triple to remain unbeaten throughout the three days of group matches were Green Group winners Richard Broad, James Delaney & Margaret Rea who finished on 21 points, five points clear of Paula Scales, Julian Scales & Gerry Russell. First place in the East Coast Pairs event went to Paula & Mac McCallum of Glebe in Durham, second place went to Derek Seaman & David Blundell of Wortwell, in third place was Tony Drew of Aylesford & Michael Leale of Newington and in fourth place was Morris Taylor & Terry Newby of Carleton Rode. The Presentation Ceremony was conducted by Jonny Mac of Potter’s Resort and event co-organiser Teresa Goldsmith with the first four in each event receiving Potter’s Holiday vouchers. The organisers were also presented with a superb gift by the bowlers. The 2019 East Coast Over 50’s Week will begin on Monday 6th May and will run through to Friday 10th May. With over one hundred having already rebooked for next year anyone wishing to take part is advised to contact event organiser Teresa Goldsmith on 01603-403628 as soon as possible as entry numbers are strictly limited.
PHOTO GALLERY EAST COAST TRIPLES
PHOTO GALLERY EAST COAST PAIRS
PHOTO GALLERY
