LEIGH & DISTRICT
BOWLSWITHIN
The 2024 Event
2024 had the potential of having 24 qualifying competitions with the inclusion of 2 entries from Prestige Bowls competitions. Making their first appearance in the competition this year David Cowley, Michael Bennett, Peter Johnson, Bryan Mills, Helen Howcroft and Wayne Beazant. There were 4 absentees in Steve Orell, Elaine Gredecki, Denis Dootson and defending champion Andrew Godfrey which made a field of 15 on the day. The was one bye and that went to Helen Howcroft. Round 1 had some great games with a couple going to the wire. Jimmy Noon raced away to 18-13 up and not looking in trouble only for Bryan Mills to come back and win 21-19. 2022 winner Stuart Ivers was nip and tuck all the way with Dave Cowley and with never more than 2 points in it Dave won 21-20. Wayne Beazant eased through against Darren Austin (9) and Pam Hodgetts ran away to 18-5 against Tony Battersby (10) to book her place in the last 8. Mick Bennet and Carol Day were 13 across at 21 ends only for Mick to run out winner 21-16. It was a similar story for Paul Garnett against Peter Johnson, with the scores even 9 across at 14 ends , with Paul eventually winning to 14. Phil Boydell got off to a good start and took a 18-6 lead before Steve Smith made a comeback to 18-16 before Phil won 21-16.
The last 8 was a mixed bag of quality. Paul Garnett looked to be an easy winner at 17-5 against Helen Howcroft only for Helen to come back and lose to 14. Bryan Mills (14) never really got started against Wayne Beazant. Dave Cowley put a tired Mick Bennett (11) to bed. The game of the day so far was Pam Hodgetts v Phil Boydell. Pam dominated the first 20 ends to lead 15-6 . At 18-12 Phil looked beaten but he found his stride to lead 20-18. Pam then took a brace to level at 20 across. A very poor lead let Phil in and the game was lost for a very dissappointed Pam.
Wayne Beazant didn't have any trouble beating Dave Cowley (5) in 17 ends, but the other semi-final was a very different story. Paul Garnett and Phil Boydell fought for every point and in a tremendous game of bowls Phil was once again trailing 18-11 and ended up on the wrong side of a 21-20, meaning we would have a new name on the trophy for 2024.
The final was a worthy clash of two corner bowlers. Once again it was a match with never more than two points in it. It was 5 across at 8 ends. 9 across at 14 ends. 14 across at 23 ends. Both bowlers trying to bowl to their own strengths and using the full length of the green. It was 17 across at 27 ends before Paul scored a double at end 28 to go 19-17 up. Wayne wasn't giving it up and scored at the next end to make it 18-19. Wayne at last used his green knowledge and played a 20M mark in to the club corner and caught Paul out with a double to go 20-19 in front. This then opened up the green for a full corner to where the old tree used to be. Wayne took full advantage and played a bowl within half a yard. Paul couldn't respond and Wayne became the 2024 champion of champions at his first attempt.
