LEIGH & DISTRICT

The 2010 Event

2010 could have been the year that a bowler had won the competition three consecutive times. This opportunity had presented itself twice before with John Heathcote (2000, 2001) and Frank Naylor (2005, 2006) failing to manage it. In 2010 it was the turn of Garth Smith (2008, 2009) to try and make history. This year also  produced what was probably the most amazing Champion of Champions ever. The whole competition was a series of unfolding events and coincidences or as some would call them “FATE”.

As the 11am scratch time arrived Alan Hill and telephoned to explain he was at the hospital due to his wife being detained but he would hopefully make the competition shortly. All the competitors agreed to include Alan in the draw and give him some latitude at least until he was called upon to take to the green. With a field of 18 there were two preliminary games which Alan managed to avoid. As time moved on, with constant updates from Alan, it became apparent that he was not going to make it. This presented Gerry Houghton with a first round bye and paired him against Steven Orrell in the second round. Gerry saw off Steve (13), although it wasn’t as one sided as the score suggests. Gerry’s next game, the semi-final,  was against Cliff Berry, a renowned exponent of the Leigh Bowling Club green. Gerry stretched Cliff out into the corners and eventually ran out the winner to 10.

While this was unfolding in the bottom half of the draw, the top half was seeing John Hayes settling his account for his previous year’s final drubbing. He has beaten Sylvia Jeffries (16) in the preliminary round, Brian Cowley (20) in an epic first round battle, previous winner Jimmy Glover (14) in the second round and homester Colin Knight (15) in the semi final. (Garth Smith’s dreams of making it three in a row where dashed by Colin Knight in round two when nerves left Garth managing only 8.) Would John put to bed the nightmares of the previous year and end Gerry’s hopes of adding his name to this much sought after trophy?

Gerry was at this point showing great signs of distress. He was not only trying to get his hands on a trophy he so dearly wanted and respected but he was fighting a personal battle against cancer. It was amazing to watch his guts and determination as he fought with his fatigue to send every bowl. As the game entered its 35th end the scores were locked at 20 across. Fate was to play the final card of the day when the preliminary jinx struck again with John not being able to get the elusive last point. Leaving Gerry to put his name on the trophy he wanted so much.

Gerry’s health deteriorated over the close season and left him unable to bowl in the 2011 season and therefore not be able to defend his title. Even though in poor health Gerry turned up as a spectator and enjoyed watching the bowling on the day. Sadly Gerry passed in 2012.