On Saturday, the semi-finals of the Major Singles Championship were contested in what were far from perfect conditions. However, the standard of play was exceptional given the conditions with Martyn Wood dominating his match against Peter Forrester and thrilling the crowd with his repertoire of shots. Peter did not play poorly, it was just that whatever he did Martyn managed to better. The final score of 31 shots to 12 gave Martyn passage to Sunday’s final. The semi-final between Alan Abbott and Chris Muldoon was full of excitement, drama and, at some stages, controversy. After 15 ends it appeared that Alan was cruising having established a commanding 17 to 6 lead and in apparent complete control of the match. However, Chris began his fight back and by the twenty-third end had levelled the scores at 18 shots each. Chris continued to surge and after 33 exhilarating ends led Alan by eight shots (29 to 21). The final few shots proved difficult for Chris to secure. Each time it appeared that he had assured himself of victory Alan would play a decisive bowl and grasp the ascendency. Through persistence and a little luck, Alan grabbed a one shot victory on the fortieth end 31 shots to 30. The final on Sunday was witnessed by a large group of spectators in almost flawless conditions. Martyn showed his relative inexperience at this level by commencing the game nervously and fell behind six shots to nil after just two ends. Alan Abbott was playing well and Martyn dropped another three shots on the sixth end to make his challenge even more overwhelming. However, Martyn fought back bravely and after 20 mesmerizing ends of lawn bowls, he had established a three shot lead, 21 to 18. The game and the championship hung in the balance and it was Martyn who seized the initiative and controlled seven of the next eight ends to draw away from a bemused Alan Abbott and win the prestigious Major Singles Championship 31 shots to 19. Robyn McPherson and Allan Parker were the slight favourites to take the title over Beryl McConnell and Bruce Angel in what was viewed by many as an evenly matched contest. Opinion proved correct on this occasion and after 13 ends of classic final’s bowling, the scores were locked together at 11 shots each. On the very next end Beryl and Bruce secured a six shot tally and jumped to a significant lead. Try as they may, Robyn and Allan could not breach the gap and at the completion of 21 inspirational ends of lawn bowls Beryl McConnell and Bruce Angel emerged victors taking the championship 23 shots to 14. Social bowls continues with pairs on Wednesday and triples on Friday. All games commence at 1pm and names have to be on the respective nomination sheets by 11.30am on the day of play. All nominations are guaranteed a game and visitors are most welcomed. Results from last week were: Wednesday 24th June: Winners: Howard Breden and Greg Johnson. Runners Up: Garry McCabe and Allan Conlan. Consolation: Geoff Ridgway and Trevor Bardsley Friday 26th June: No bowls due to inclement weather Don Freeman