LEIGH & DISTRICT
BOWLSWITHIN
The 2018 Event
2018 drew its entries from 22 competitions. There was a triple qualification from Ronnie Blackledge with double qualifications from Andrew Godfrey and Pam Hodgetts. With two absentees (Jim McGuiness and Bernie Draper) there was a field of 16 bowlers. With a perfect 16 in the draw the day started with a clash of the Titans between Phil Boydell and Andrew Godfrey. The game was even at 5 across before Andrew pulled away to 14-7. Phil fought back to 14 across . Andrew led at 18-14 only for Phil get back to 18 across. Andrew eventually winning out 21-19. Denis Dootson put up a brave fight against injury but lost out (13) to Paul Clegg. A very close game with never more than 2 points separating Lee Greenhalgh and Ronnie Blackledge was ended from 19s with a brace from Lee to send Ronnie for an early Bath. The game between Steve Hitchen and Sue Walkden followed a similar pattern with Steve winning 21-20. Barbara Dootson was a comfortable winner over Denise Dean 21-8 and Ian Inman following suit beating Margaret Broom 21-6. Previous winner Ian Pendlebury had to dig deep from 16-9 down to edge 17-16 in front but Pam was having none of it winning 21-18. Keith Wright struggled to find a length and eventually succumbed to Peter Sinclair, losing to 14.
The quarter finals paired distance runners Barbara Dootson and Ian Inman. With suitcases packed they set off on the long haul only for Ian to win out 21-10. Steve Hitchen had another game go to all but across only to lose on the last bowl to Lee Greenhalgh. Paul Clegg never looked in doubt, mooching on and around the crown to beat Andrew Godfrey 21-6. Pam Hodgetts found herself 13-8 down before having a mooch around the crown herself to go 19-13 up and win to 16. Both semi-finals clashes were short mark versus distance bowlers. Paul Clegg had Lee Greenhalgh not knowing if he needed a shave or a haircut, bamboozling him on and around 19 metres to win to 10. Pam Hodgetts was never in the game with Ian Inman never allowing her to get in her stride. Ian winning comfortably 21-10.
The final saw Ian Inman go in front 4-1, 6-2, 8-3, 10-4, 12-6. Paul was constantly short, never once reaching the block coming back into the entrance corner. At 12-6 Paul led onto the button and worked his short mat magic to go 13-12 up. With Paul lying one on the crown for a 14-12 lead Ian struck and came out with a fortunate two to go 14-13 in front. Utilising the corners again three more doubles saw Ian take command at 20-13. Paul was not done and put up a brave fight to 16 only for Ian to play an excellent bowl onto the crown which Paul didn’t beat. A great final to give Ian a record-breaking 4th win.
