LEIGH & DISTRICT

2015 saw a field of 15 bowlers of which Phil Boydell was a triple qualifier and Ian Inman was a double qualifier. The field had five first time qualifiers in Bob Bowker, Alan Todd, Jim Harrison,  Jim Yates and Jimmy Noon.

 

The draw proved to be lucky for defending champion Ian Inman as he secured a bye into the Quarter Finals. Round 1 saw  Bob Bowker see off fellow debutant Alan Todd to 15. Previous winner John Platt swiftly dispatched the ever present John McCaul 8. Jim Harrison struggled early on in his game with Ian Pendlebury going 13-5 down before recovering only to lose narrowly to 18. Paul Hindley and Jim Yates had a very close game with Paul taking a commanding 17-8 lead only to give five twos on the trot to go behind 18-17. Paul then went 20-18 only to bowl two bowls off for an all but across game. Jim finally winning the game 21-20. John Heathcote was drawn against Sue Walkden for the second year running with John winning by the same margin as the previous year 21-14. Jimmy Noon kept pulling out some killer bowls to win 21-11 against Michelle Glover. Phil Boydell went down 21-14 against Richard Foster.

 

Quarter finals served up some surprising results when Jimmy Noon (21) put paid to Ian Inman’s (14) hopes of being the first player to win three successive titles. Three time winner John Heathcote (15) was beaten by Jim Yates (21). John Platt (21) had a tough battle with Bob Bowker (16) and Ian Pendlebury (21) battled hard against  Richard Foster (20).

 

In the Semi -finals Jimmy Noon (21) played exceptionally well against Jim Yates (9) never really giving the veteran any chance to settle. Ian Pendlebury (21) battled well to beat John Platt (17).

 

The final proved a game to far for Jimmy Noon (6) as Ian Pendlebury bowled a canny game, mooching on and around the crown, to run out an easy winner.