Leamington’s men’s open comes to a close

Organisers cited a decline in entries together with a large increase in legislation, red-tape, and costs for the decision to make the 2012 the final staging of the event.

The competition was revived in 2011 after a five-year hiatus, but the latest decision appears to be the final nail in the coffin for the open’ which enjoyed a golden period from the 1950s to the 1980s when it was regarded as the leading tournament in the Midlands.

Since the late 90s the event also included the popular Sunday Gala.

Derek Booth, chairman of the organising committee, said the decision was “very sad” but pointed to a 12 per cent decline in entries and said it was just not worthwhile continuing.

“Organising it involves more and more work - trawling around sponsors, sorting out insurance and putting guardians in place.

“Last year we sent out 300 entry forms but we got fewer entries than ever.

“In the golden years, all the Victoria Parks plus four or five around the area were used.

“But those days are gone. It’s very sad.”

Avenue Leamington’s John Strain, Andy Strain and Andy Smith became the county’s new triples champions when in a re-arranged final at Three Spires Bowls Club they beat Rugby’s Martyn Murley, Adrian Johnston and Craig Carter 16-14.

Smith and his colleagues opened up a four-shot lead after six ends but Rugby hit back to hold a 12-10 advantage after 14 ends.

Avenue then went two shots up with a 15th-end four and Rugby scored a double at the next to level, only to lose singles on the last two ends.

It all added up to a double celebration for the Avenue trio as, with Peter Hooper as their lead, they had earlier won the county’s fours championship.

In the rearranged under-25s singles championship, Whitnash’s Dan Ward returned a 21-13 winning card against Bournville’s Luke Moore.

The match originally started on finals day but was called off when torrential rain flooded the green. At that stage Moore was leading 4-1 and the score was carried forward to the rearranged game.

Ward soon gave notice of intent when he started off with a full- house four and followed up with three doubles and four singles to go 14-4 ahead.

And, with the remaining exchanges resulting in nine shots to Moore and seven to Ward it left the Whitnash youngster with eight shots in hand.

It was Ward’s second county title this season as before rain had halted proceedings he had won the unbadged singles on finals day.

Warwick Boat Club were blessed with glorious sunshine for their Mark and Yvonne Easton Trophy.

Thirty-five members took part, with Richard Lee skipping Barbara Wigmore and Alan Harvey to victory, with Sylvia Murray (skip), Mary Wheildon and Bill Roots runners-up.

However, Wigmore was not so lucky when Boat Club’s ladies beat Whitnash 61-33, losing 16-12 to Sue Owen’s triple to suffer her side’s only defeat.

Barbara Froggatt skipped her team of Lorna Lee and Chris Lewis to a 31-10 win over Pam Coling’s threeseome, while Sylvia Murray led Mary Wheildon and Carolyn Labrum to an 18-6 success.

Courier League: Division One: Little Compton 84 (8pts) RLS 4ths 36 (0pts); Wellesbourne 44 (2pts) Avenue 57 (6pts); Norgren 54 (6pts) RLS 34 (2pts); Homeguard 47 (0pts) Whitnash 64 (8pts). Division Two: Welford 2nds 43 (0pts) Whitnash 2nds 75 (8pts); RLS 3rds 37 (0pts) Homeguard 2nds 54 (8pts); RLS 2nds 33 (4pts) WCC A 43 (4pts); Lillington 68 (6pts) Lillington 2nds 33 (2pts). Division Three: Snitterfield 65 (8pts) Snitterfield 2nds 36 (0pts); Shipston Sports 70 (7pts) Avon 33 (1pts); FISSC 54 (6pts) Kineton 35 (2pts); Warwick Boat Club 51 (6pts) WCC B 37 (2pts).