Clarence Bowling Club held their indoor and short-mat bowls finals at the weekend.

ROGER Burrough, David Stott, Adrian Gardiner and Joy Bailey all won two titles during Clarence Bowling Club’s well-supported indoor and short-mat finals weekend.

Burrough and Gardiner both played outstandingly as they beat John Edwards and Alan Richardson in the final of the unified pairs, with a six on the seventh end leaving the eventual runners-up too much to do.

Burrough and his wife Pauline were always in command against Pam Fowler and veteran Dick Jackman in the final of the mixed pairs, racing 14-1 ahead before their opponents rallied bravely. The Burroughs had been runners-up the previous year.

The singles final, between Burrough and Stott, both club coaches, proved a match too far for the former. Stott bowled consistently in a repeat of the previous year’s final to become champion for the third year running.

Pick of the indoor finals was the triples, in which Stott and husband-and-wife Mick and Carol Edlin, the favourites, took on Rita Hinde, Jim Keay and Audrey Powell. Powell’s team kept fighting back in a close, exciting match and trailed by just three playing the last end, only to lose by six.

Clarence’s short-mat section held their finals over the same weekend. Jo Mannion was bidding for all three titles and began well by partnering Joy Bailey to victory in the pairs against Di Hale and Mick Edlin on Saturday.

In the triples, some brilliant play by short-mat section secretary Adrian Gardiner inspired 94-year-old John Stewart and Joy Bailey to victory over Maureen Milford, Jo Mannion and Mick Edlin.

Then, in an enthralling singles final, which was nip-and-tuck all the way, 17-17 and 19-19 in the closing stages, Alan Bishop became champion for the first time, beating the busy Jo Mannion.

A splendid American supper lunch was enjoyed by all. The trophies and prizes were presented by Bob Rossiter, president of Clarence.

Results – indoor unified pairs: A Gardiner/R Burrough 23, J Edwards/A Richardson 11; triples: M Edlin, C Edlin, D Stott 21, R Hinde, J Keay, A Powell 15; mixed pairs: P Burrough/R Burrough 25, P Fowler/D Jackman 12; singles: D Stott 21, R Burrough 8.

Short-mat – pairs: J Bailey/J Mannion 17, D Hale/M Edlin 12; triples :J Bailey, J Stewart, A Gardiner 19, M Milford, J Mannion, M Edlin 12; singles: A Bishop 21, J Mannion 19.

The outdoor season for Clarence men starts with captain’s day on April 12. The club is holding free introductory sessions for prospective new members (all equipment supplied) on April 15, 16, 22 and 23, between 5.30-7.30pm (indoors if wet).

There will be an open day on May 18 (10am-4pm). Further details from club coaches David Stott (625404) and Roger Burrough (627407).

WOODSPRING Indoor Bowls Club held its club competition finals over the weekend.

There are two new club champions, Mandy Sutton and Dave Fairhurst, both winning their games comfortably. In the non-winners singles, there were wins for Carol Willetts and Brian Jones.

The two-wood (Brick) singles was won by Tony Williams and the matchplay singles, a new competition, was claimed by Martyn Brummell. In the pairs competitions, the winning teams were Di Ward and Rose Cleeves (ladies), Tony Barnes and Malcolm Campbell (men) and Arlene Pilgrim and Sam Hedges (mixed).

Finally, in the triples competitions, the winning teams were Jackie Holoway, Shirley Searle and Arlene Pilgrim (ladies), Tony Barnes, Ken Harvey and Malcolm Campbell (men) and Nancy Urch, Derek Cooper and Malcolm Campbell (mixed).

Cups and trophies were awarded by ladies’ president Chris Hedges, and men’s/club president Ray Dunston, who will be retiring at the end of the season after many years of service to the club.

ASHCOMBE Park Bowling Club’s season will commence with both presidents hosting their open day.

Men’s president Graham Wilkinson will hold his day on April 12 and ladies’ president Sylvia Ford on April 19.

The club is holding an open/taster day on May 3 from 10.30am when all ages and standards are welcome to come along to try or return to the sport, free of charge for the day.

Woods can be provided, the only requirement flat soled shoes. Accredited coaches will be on hand. Contact secretary Sue Bayntun on 01934 522779 or turn up on the day.