York was the venue for the SMPT Verdemat Bowls British Open at the weekend. Northern Ireland’s Gary McNabb lifted the title with a 10-5 win against popular Essex bowler Tony Ealham who enjoyed a brilliant weekend reaching the final in a high class field of bowlers. In the semi-finals McNabb beat Mitchell Young 14-12 while Tony Ealham beat Jonathan Payne of Belgium 9-8. The Plate final was won by Northern Ireland’s Steven Stafford who beat Andrew Carr 12-10 while England’s Stephen Proctor won the Shield final beating Barry Bates 12-2. Two Norfolk bowlers took part in the British Open. Steve Easter finished fourth in Group 30 and therefore qualified for the Plate knockouts. He started well on the Saturday morning winning his opening game against Maddie Edmondson by 14-10 before beating Northern Ireland’s Alex Cromie 12-8 but that proved to be as good as it got for the Wymondham and Norfolk bowler. He lost his first knockout round game by 14-2 against the talented Benny Bass. David Blundell of Wortwell and Norfolk finished sixth in Group 19 after four defeats and a draw and found himself in the Shield knock-outs where he was eliminated losing 11-6 to Malcolm Sheen.
Gary McNabb SMPT Verdemat British Open Champion 2020 (photo SMPT)
Tony Ealham SMPT Verdemat British Open Runner-up 2020 (photo SMPT)