Finals Weekend 2022
The weekend of 10 & 11 September saw all eight LHBC knock-out competitions decided. The weather was good for both days, with just the lightest of showers on the second day. It was a busy time for Mike Caird, playing in four finals, and Quentin Smith playing in three.
Mike Caird Cup - Quentin Smith beat Mike Caird 10-9, 3-9, 2-1
This match saw pairs partners Quentin Smith and Mike Caird playing for the cup Mike himself donated to the club in 2003. Quentin started well and led by 10-6 after eight of the nine ends of the first set. Even then he almost contrived to drop a four on the last end - and was only saved by the umpire's measure on Mike's fourth bowl! Mike rallied in the second set and took it comfortably (9-3) to level the match and force the three end tie-break. Quentin won the first end courtesy of a fortunate rub against a short bowl which guided his slightly wayward delivery back on track. Mike took the second end to force a one-end shoot-out which Quentin just edged.
QRS Cup - Alan Harvey beat Barry Geal 21-15
Alan started well and ran away to a 15-3 lead before Barry found some form as the morning dew cleared. He recovered to 15-18 down but Alan then scored the three needed to win.
Tarmac Cup - Quentin Smith beat Barry Geal 21-20
Barry started well, adding five unanswered shots to his four handicap start. Quentin fought back and eventually levelled the scores at 12-12. Shots were traded until at 15-15 Quentin dropped a disastrous four, followed by a single, to leave him 15-20 down. Three tense ends were played out in which Quentin found four shots to bring him to 19-20. In the next end Quentin held the two he needed as Barry's last bowl ran just too far through the head, giving him the win by the smallest of margins.
The handicapper must be happy this year - Quentin's four wins in the competition had scores of 21-20, 21-20, 21-19 and 21-20!
Cyril Davies Cup - Mike Caird beat Colin Meadows 21-17
Mike started well, taking a 6-0 lead, but from 11-6 down Colin recovered to briefly take the lead 15-13 before Mike closed out the game 21-17.
Day two was slightly cooler, with a heavy dew which had to be brushed off the green before play could start.
Pairs Shield - Mike Caird & Quentin Smith beat Peter Hancock & Bill Greenway 20-18
This match saw Mike Caird & Quentin, both playing their third final, up against last year's runners-up Peter Hancock and Bill Greenway. All players found their form quickly and after a trailed jack with his last bowl gave Quentin and Mike two shots on the first end the second end was tied with the umpire declaring both bowls touching the jack.
From this point Peter and Bill raced away, four-three-four, to put them 11-2 ahead after just five ends. The pace of the green was changing rapidly as the remaining dew dried and Mike and Quentin rallied and found 14 unanswered shots to put them 16-11 up after 12 ends. Bill and Peter fought back and a three for them on the 16th end brought the scores level at 17-17.
With Mike & Quentin holding Bill found an excellent last bowl, which Quentin could not counter, to take them into the last end one shot up. The final end held yet more drama as, with Mike & Quentin holding again, Bill trailed the jack to lie two shots. With the draw on both hands blocked Quentin had to play weight and looked to promote one of his own bowls. He was just wide of his intended target, but made solid contact with an opponent's bowl, pushing it away, and his own bowl followed through perfectly to stop alongside the jack - bringing the scores level and forcing an extra end.
Mike & Quentin won the toss and elected to give the mat to Peter. A solid end ensured, with good play from all players into the tricky area beneath the trees. With his third bowl Quentin sliced the jack, jamming it onto one of Mike's bowls and lying two. Bill needed solid contact with the jack but his last bowl just missed the jack and clipped the shot bowl, turning it over a couple of times.
However that was not enough and Mike and Quentin took the game 20-18, their sixth win in the competition, leaving the unlucky Peter and Bill runners-up after an extra end for the second year running.
Roy Warburton Cup - Chris Sherriff beat Colin Meadows 22-14
Chris took an early lead and after nine ends was 10-2 up but Colin then recovered and at 16 ends the scores were level at 11-11. At this point it looked like the players could be in for a marathon, but Chris eased away, eventually winning 21-14 in 26 ends.
Nuway Cup - Chris Sherriff beat Mike Caird 21-3
Chris and Mike started well with the two opening bowls just inches from the jack. However Mike could not match Chris's accurate play - Chris retaining his trophy (the only 2021 Champion to do so) in just 14 ends.
Frank Richards Cup - Deb Sherriff beat Ruth Lowe 21-18
Deb started strongly and led by 6-1 after 4 ends and by 10-2 after 7 ends. Six-times champion Ruth characteristically fought back and after 21 ends went into the lead by 16-15. A further two to Ruth made it 18-15, but then Deb finished with a flourish two, single and finally a three to win 21-18 after 25 ends.
The results give us, for the first time, a married couple representing the Club in the Champion of Champions competitions, for although Rod and Sheila Payne both won in 2020 only the 2019 champions were allowed to take part in the 2021 CofC competitions.
