Finals Day 2004

In contrast to last year, a cool and windy day faced the finalists on the first of two "finals days" for 2004, with three finals contested on Sunday 12 September.

2004 was a bad year for defending champions, with Ruth Lowe in the Ladies Championship (Frank Richards Cup) the only one to reach the final to defend their trophy. Ruth traded shots with Frances Hill over the first few ends, but gradually drew away to lead 12-8 after 11 ends and win by 21 shots to 14.

The Veterans' competition (Cyril Davies Trophy) was contested between Peter Preston and George Chambers. Both players played well, but George established an early lead and held on to win without the need to play the final end.

Two biplanes flew over
while the finals were in progress

The Club Open Championship (Nuway Cup) brought together Colin Smith, who had won the trophy once before in 1994, and Mike Caird. Colin started well, and over the first eleven ends pulled away to a 12-5 lead. Mike fought back to level at 12-12 and the players traded shots until 17-17. Mike pulled ahead to lead 20-17 after twenty-four ends and seemed to have the match sewn up holding two shots and good positional woods. However Colin trailed the jack to another of his woods to take two and bring the score to 20-19.

The players fought out a tense last end and after visiting the head (the marker having declined to indicate who was holding) Mike decided to trust his judgement and not bowl his last wood. The measure proved him correct and gave him the win by two shots.

George Chambers assists marker Dennis Blake with a measure

Chairman Frank Hill closed the day thanking all for taking part and Vice-Captain and Competition Secretary Emrys Davies made the presentations (from left - to Mike, Ruth and George).

Monday 13 September saw three more finals contested. In the afternoon, Russell Stevenson narrowly defeated Emrys Davies in the Mens' Singles championship (Roy Warburton Cup). Russell got away to a good start and at one point lead 17-8. However Emrys fought back to 19-all and at one stage in the final end was holding the two shots needed before Russell finally clinched victory.

In the evening, Bryan Jones took on Grenville Watton in the final of the Open Handicap (Tarmac Cup). Grenville gradually clawed back the four-shot handicap to lead 12-11 after 12 ends. Two high scoring ends followed and Grenville was 19-11 up. Twice Bryan drew critical shots to keep the game alive, but Grenville finally emerged victorious by 21 shots to 13.

The final of the Mike Caird Cup singles sets competition brought Mike himself up against Rod Payne. Mike started well and took the first set with an end to spare, but Rod fought back well in the second set to level the match. Towards the end of this set a remarkable running wood from Rod took the Jack to the ditch and his own wood, and one of Mike's, to the ditch edge.

In the first of the three-end play-off Mike started with a fine toucher which remained in place until, with his last wood, Rod drew off the jack for shot. In the second end the scene was reversed, with one of Rod's early woods holding until Mike drew it out. Rod moved the jack back with his last wood, Mike visited the head and decided to bowl his last wood but failed to take the shot. Mike's judgement was vindicated as the measure went to Rod, who won by two sets to one.

Chairman Frank Hill again closed the procedings and also made the presentations to Grenville (left) and Rod.

Various commitments, and appearances in other finals, prevented the Pairs Championship being contested until Tuesday 14 September. In this match, Grenville Watton & Russell Stevenson defeated Rod Payne & Peter Preston 27-7.

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