Veronica’s consolation

From left: Ces Hope (Festival organiser), Veronica Lyon (winner) and Eric Ainscough (runner-up)
From left: Ces Hope (Festival organiser), Veronica Lyon (winner) and Eric Ainscough (runner-up)
From left: Ces Hope (Festival organiser), Veronica Lyon (winner) and Eric Ainscough (runner-up)

Veronica Lyon claimed the Athena Beach Hotel Consolation singles event in Cyprus. Veronica, known to the bowling world as Ronni won a close final against Eric Ainscough 11-7. Both Ronni and Eric are regulars on the Athena Beach Hotel greens.

Ronni a member of the St Oswald club in Warrington and a stalwart of the Cheshire Ladies County team showed her experience on the greens on route to the final which was streamed live on the Live Bowls YouTube channel.

Both Ronni and Eric had to battle through a number of close games on route to the final and both showed the experience they have gained from visiting the greens with Ces Hope’s bowling holidays. Ronni in particular had closer than the scores show games against Jan Pratley and her mum, Joy Ellis. Eric had managed to just beat Caroline Iddon and John Gatley by the narrowest of margins.

Ronni Lyon leading out at 7 across
Ronni Lyon leading out at 7 across

In the final both Ronni and Eric played well with Eric taking the lead and looking like he would be victorious. Ronni is known for being one of the best ‘battlers’ in the game and her never say die attitude saw her find a mark Eric couldn’t quite find.

It was a delighted Ronni who claimed the Consolation competition win with a 11 – 7 win.

At the presentation Ronni received the winners prize of £200 from festival organiser Ces Hope.

Veronica Lyon with Ces Hope
Veronica Lyon with Ces Hope

Results:

Last 16

Jan Pratley 6 Ronni Lyon 11, Joy Ellis 11 Thelma Rogers 4, Paul Dennison 11 Gloria Stocks 6, Harry Singleton 11 Eileen Lonergan 6, John Gatley 11 Howard Beaumont 10, Kevin Nugent 8 Irene Pritchatt 11, Caroline Iddon 11 Joyce Asquith 3, Jean Carroll 7 Eric Ainscough 11

Last 8

Ronni Lyon 11 Joy Ellis 6, Paul Dennison 11 Harry Singleton 9, John Gatley 11 Irene Pritchatt 4, Caroline Iddon 10 Eric Ainscough 11

Semi’s

Ronni Lyon 11 Paul Dennison 5, John Gatley 10 Eric Ainscough 11

Final

Ronni Lyon 11 Eric Ainscough 7

About Steve Davies 172 Articles
Throughout his bowling career Steve has always supported the admin side of the game as well as a keen player of the game. As a club secretary, association secretary, county delegate on the BCGBA (National Governing Body) Management Committee, Media Officer for the BCGBA, Merseyside champion in 2002 and Merseyside County President (2014-15) Steve has always been keen to promote the game especially through the broadcast of the game on TV or Internet. Steve set up the LIVE BOWLS YouTube channel which became the Bowls Observer channel and, through the LDBA, runs national competitions. Seeing an avenue to report on and promote the game Steve set up the Bowls Observer on-line magazine.