British Merit Qualifier
There was a disappointing entry of eight ladies’ for the British Merit Qualifier played at Finch Hill on Sunday 19 April.
The sunshine at the start of the afternoon soon disappeared to leave a very cold and windy afternoon, but the inclement weather did not detract from the standard of bowls on display.
In the first round ( the quarter-finals) there were some close games with Rosie Winkle reaching 17 against Helen Martin and Lil Smith coming from behind to pip Lyn Bolton 21-20.
Quarter-finals: Caroline Whitehead 21, Mary Alderson 7; Helen Martin 21, Rosie Winkle 17; Lil Smith 21, Lyn Bolton 20; Janet Monk 21, Shirley Whelan 14.
The weather was probably at its worst for the semi-finals where, despite some good bowling from their opponents, Helen and Janet came through to meet in the final.
Semi-finals: Helen Martin 21, Caroline Whitehead 12; Janet Monk 21, Lil Smith 13.
Janet had the better of the early exchanges in the final, having the advantage 10-4 before Helen started to fight back closing to 12-14. With two 2’s and a single Janet stretched her lead to 19-12, before Helen won the next six ends to make it 17-20 her opponent taking the next end to win 21-17.
Janet will now represent the island in the British Merit at Nuneaton on 11 July.
Association President, Pat Robertson congratulated the players and thanked the Finch Hill for the use of their facilities.
Special thanks go to Anne Caine who came along and provided very welcome warm drinks on a very cold afternoon.