Wednesday, March 13 was the first day of the Inter-Club Finals. What a fabulous day it was! The bowling was exceptional. We have very professional bowlers here in the Algarve, very capable of moving from grass to carpet and back again, showing no sign of any difficulty.
The green at Valverde was exceptional, it bowled like velvet. Thanks must be passed to their green keeper for the excellent job of preparing the green, and thanks to the Club for the welcome and the hospitality.
The morning of day one (13th) saw both the men’s pairs and ladies’ pairs matches. The bowling was of the highest standard and saw Mark Jackson and David Brooks of Floresta triumph over Jerry Kinane and Richard Fribbins of Floresta, whilst Sue Kinane and Karen Hargreaves of Floresta prevailed over Carol Williams and Greer Hogg of Floresta.
The afternoon was the Mixed Fours game with Phil King, Peter Harris, Betty Harris and Thea Tushuizen of Pedras overcome Carol Williams, Richard Fribbins, Sue Kinane and Jerry Kinane of Floresta, a game which was so close it was equal after 18 ends, making it necessary that another end had to be played to determine the winner.
The second morning (14th) saw George Humphreys, Ron Nutter and Geoff Hargreaves of Floresta fighting out the triples game, finally succeeding over team-mates Pat Derouane, Sheila Rapsey and Paul Johnson of Floresta. Playing at the same time were the mixed pairs game, with Carol Williams and Paul Sutton of Floresta prevailing over Greer Hogg and Norman Merritt.
During the afternoon, the two games played were the men’s singles with Gerry Kinane of Floresta succeeding over John Kerr of Floresta, and the Open Fours game, with Mark Jackson, David Brooks, Bill Thompson and David Bridgewater of Floresta overcoming team-mates Debbie Stewart, Karen Hargreaves, Geoff Hargreaves and Norman Merritt of Floresta.
A third day was utilised on Friday (15th) for the ladies singles due to illness. This was between Debbie Stewart of Floresta and Evelyn Oliver of CPO, which saw Debbie prevailing over Evelyn. Congratulations to all the winners and commiserations to all the runners up.
Thanks must be sent to Richard King, who has co-ordinated all the competition, and to Flo and George and staff at the Don Camillo restaurant for the catering facilities over the Finals competition. An excellent competition, and I believe I can speak for all the competitors when I say we are all looking forward to next year’s competition.
By MIRIAM HARE
Photo: Winning Mixed Fours, Pedras Team, with (from left) Phil King, Betty Harris, Peter Harris and Thea Tushuizen
