The Tournament Committee’s decision to go ahead with the staging of the 69th Annual Southampton Open Bowls Tournament, despite again receiving very low entries and incurring a financial loss for the 2nd year in a row, was fully vindicated with a thoroughly enjoyable week enjoyed by all who attended, both on and off the greens.

As ever the event began at our Head-Quarters Atherley BC on Monday morning with the opening ceremony at 9.45am. Brian Hopper was joined on the green by Graham Collins, Grand Master of our Sponsors the Oddfellows, together with S&DBA President Lloyd Blackford, and Atherley President Vicki Chadd and once the speeches were completed, Grand Master Graham Collins bowled the first two woods of the week.

The weather this year was a bit mixed but for the most part was dry with pleasant temperatures and just the occasional shower, apart from a heavy downpour on Wednesday evening, however fortunately both the Atherley & Banister Park greens just about remained playable and our doughty competitors braved the elements and all eight matches were completed!

As ever all the matches were well contested and played in great sporting spirit and there was the usual smattering of surprise results during the week.

The Finals on Saturday at Atherley were blessed with a large crowd of spectators basking in fine sunny weather and the first final on the green at 10am was between Tina Stokes & Diane Smith (Romsey BC) and Karen Watson & Sonia Watts (Mayfield Park BC) with the Mayfield Park duo running out comfortable winners 7 – 26. However, a fantastic effort by Tina & Diane in reaching the Final on their first time playing in the Tournament!

The Men’s Triples Final followed at 12pm between Peter D Ward, Brian Bisson & Peter M Ward (Atherley, St Saviours & Ringwood BC’s) and Dave Blogg, Josh Davis & Colin Thresher (Sports Centre & Southampton Old Green BC’s) The Ward, Bisson, Ward trio made the worst possible start dropping two fives on the first two ends, but rallied to catch and pass their opponents with four shots on the 14th end. Sadly, they then dropped 11 shots on the final 3 ends with the Blogg, Davis, Thresher triple winning 24 – 31.

At 12.30pm the Men’s Pairs Final got underway and was an all-Eastleigh Railway clash between Jason McLean & Nathan Durman and Benjamin & Michael Barrett. Jason & Nathan made a very fast start outscoring their experienced opponents by 12 shots to 3 in the opening six ends and despite their best efforts the Barrett pair never recovered succumbing 25 -11.

The Ladies’ Triples Final followed and was an all-Mayfield Park affair between Edna Robinson, Pam Yeates and Jane Gould taking on their club mates Karen Watson, Jack Holloway & Sonia Watts. A healthy contingent of Mayfeild Park spectators cheered every good bowl on both sides with the Watson, Holloway, Watts trio taking the spoils 18 -11 completing a double for Watson & Watts after their morning victory in the Ladies’ Pairs!

At just after 3pm Brian Hopper, accompanied by S&D President Lloyd Blackford and Deputy President Dave Hughdie, introduced the Finalists for the Men’s and Ladies’ Singles Finals.

In the Men’s Singles Final Keith Charbit-Middleton (Sports Centre BC) faced 2013 Champion Jono Dalton (Downsman BC) and in the early stages Keith held his own with the scores tied at six each at 7 ends. However, Jono finished the stronger scoring 13 shots to Keith’s 4 in the next 9 ends to clinch a second Men’s Singles Title a decade after his first!

 

 

The Ladies’ Singles Final was between defending Champion Lorraine Slater (Banister Park) and 2019 Champion Gina Le Long (St Saviours BC). The first 7 ends were close with Gina 2 shots ahead at 8 ends, but Lorraine dominated the rest of the match sealing the win and her 3rd Ladies’ Singles Title 21 – 16, despite a late surge from Gina.

The Prize Presentation followed at 5.10pm outside the Tournament Office by the Top Green, with Steve Spreadbury from Fleming Park receiving the £30 Presidents Prize for scoring 18 shots against the eventual Men’s Singles Champion, Jono Dalton. The Trophies, Cheques & Commemorative Awards were then presented to all the Winners and Finalists by Grand Master Graham Collins and S&DBA President Lloyd Blackford.

Men’s Singles Champion Jono Dalton was then invited to say a few words on behalf of the Competitors. Jono thanked everyone associated with running the event, in particular the Tournament Officials. He commented that our Tournament was the first where he won a singles title and that 10 years on he was delighted to win his 2nd! He also said this was his favourite Tournament and that all present need to do their bit and spread the word to increase participation going forward in order for the event to continue.

In their closing speeches Graham Collins, Lloyd Blackford and Vicki Chadd all thanked everyone involved in supporting the event and S&DBA President Lloyd Blackford then handed the Atherley green back to Atherley President Vicki Chadd.

S&DBA President Lloyd Blackford then presented floral baskets to S&DWBA President Maxine Fletcher, the secretary of the Southampton District of the Oddfellows Barbara Jackson and Atherley president Vicki Chadd.

Finally, Brian Hopper echoed Jono’s appeal for everyone present to go back to their Clubs and encourage all their club mates to try our tournament experience themselves and wished everyone safe journeys home.

As I said at the start of my report a thoroughly enjoyable week which hopefully will be even better in 2024 at the 70th running of the Tournament if collectively we can restore entry numbers to their pre-Covid levels.

# Use it or lose it?

Kerry Clements

Honorary Assistant Secretary

Southampton Open Bowls Tournament