Waterloo last 32 afternoon report

The world famous Waterloo Hotel bowling green

The afternoon session of the Waterloo handicap saw some very tense action. It ended with the reigning champion and this year’s British Senior Merit winner going out of the competition.

John Bailey who went out this morning and Phil Lee (R)

Phil Lee got the better of Preston’s Mike Leach in a game that the reverse of what was predicted. Phil was expected to play corners but it was Mike who was the more comfy in them. He found though a young man who was in better form than himself. A 21-14 win for the scouser living on the dark side.

Gareth Coates struggles to live with Ed Furniss early in the game. It was the game was almost over that he was able to find some form. Slowly but surely he almost got level before Gareth could  finally claim the win.

Dave Lunn and Paul Evans was close all the way through. It was a battle till the end as Paul had to play a running bowl to count at the last end.

Chris Mordue will look back at a number of ends that could have gone his way. Though in truth so could Dave Higginbottom, both were not in top form but it was the Lancashire man who claimed this Roses battle.

Wayne Ditchfield was giving a two start to Shawn Frewin and this quickly grew to five then six then seven. Wayne couldn’t put pressure on the young man. Shawn in the end won to 17 as Wayne’s defence of the title ended in the Blackpool sun.

Young Matty Worden once again showed why he thought as being one of the best juniors of recent years. Calm, measured and controlled could all describe his performance today as the British Junior Champion beat Craig Rumney 21-13.

Kevin Boon has played this green well for as long as I can remember and he did not again today. He gave Andy Graham little chance with good use of the edges of the green getting the Congleton man the victory.

Wigan’s Danny Mayers was just too good for Burnley’s Stu Gall. To be honest it wasn’t a game either will look back as the best they’ve played but Danny claimed his two’s when he had the chance.

The scores:

Phil Lee (Liverpool) 21 v Mike Leach  (Preston) 14
Gareth Coates (Halifax) 19 v Ed Furniss (Derby) 21
Dave Lunn  (Congleton) 20 v Paul Evans (Staffordshire) 21
Chris Mordue (Bradford) 19 v David Higginbottom (Leigh) 21
Shawn Frewin (Yorkshire) 21 v Wayne Ditchfield (Eccleston) (-2) 17
Craig Rumney  (South Yorkshire) 13 v Matty Worden (Wrexham) 21
Kevin Boon  (Congleton) 21 v Andy Graham  (Preston) 13
Danny Mayers  (Wigan) 21 v Stu Gall  (Burnley) 15

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.