The Welsh Club Championship Finals took place on Sunday 17^th September at Conwy Bowling Club. It was to be a good days’ bowling with a nail-biting finish.

The four Clubs competing, who had each won their Area stage, were Llanrwst, Esclusham, Rhos Park and Broughton and Bretton. The WCGBA President Jack Hunt, Deputy President Pauline Lindley, Past President Simon Walker and Members of the WCGBA Management were there to officiate and support another highlight of the Welsh Crown Green calendar.

Our usual hard working Referees, DT Evans, Arthur Peake and Alan Davies were kept busy all day and their contribution was much appreciated by all.

With a fair sprinkling of County and Club players making up all the teams the standard of play was expected to be high – and it did not disappoint.

Rhos Park and Esclusham met in one part of the draw, and had four winners each. At the half way point, Esclusham were some 20 points ahead. In the second set of four games, Rhos Park redressed the balance to end 152 and Esclusham 148. All eight games by these two teams were very close at times with no single figure results. The closest contest was between Mike Gilpin (Esclusham) and young Haiden Williams (Rhos Park). At one stage, Mike was 14-11 up but Haiden hung on and forged ahead to win 21-20. Keiron Roberts( Esclusham) was well up before his opponent Andy Bray (Rhos Park) took back a few chalks. Keiron won 21-17.

In the second set of matches, Matty Worden (Broughton) led the team to a great start with a 21-10 win over Llanrwst’s Allan Jones. Fellow Broughton team mate, Nicola Boulton, was not in a happy place with her game and trailed Daniel Jones( Llanrwst) who eventually won 21-10. Neil Snodgrass (Broughton)and Mike Chamberlain’s (Llanrwst) game was another close one with Neil winning 21-19 in the end. One of the best matches from this set was that between John Bailey( Llanrwst) and Adam Penlington (Broughton). Adam took command from the start and despite seasoned competitor, John getting into his stride, Adam kept up the pressure and won the game 21-10. Broughton ended on 142 and Llanrwst 127.

The final was set between Rhos Park and Broughton. Close run games seemed to be the order of the day and the final was no exception. Rhos Park won three out of their first four games with Broughton’s Matty Worden in a tight fifth game with Mark Ball, but won the game 21-20. In the second set of four things were getting really close. An inspired Nicola Boulton finally found her mojo with a 21-6 win, thus putting Broughton in a strong position. The last game on the green was between Adam Penlington (Broughton) and Ivor Jones. Adam set up a great lead but Ivor played some brilliant bowls to get to 17. With two well placed woods at this crucial stage of the game, Adam kept his cool and rather than a characteristic strike, he bowled what was to be his last wood to sit between the jack and Ivor’s bowls to clinch the game 21-17. Broughton won the championship title by two points on the aggregate 145-143.   Both teams now qualify for the World Club Championships which will be held next month.