OPEN DOUBLES – BERNARD O’MALLEY VICE-PRESIDENTS TROPHY
Sunday saw bowlers from across the North West play for the Bernard O’Malley Vice-Presidents Trophy. This is the Hesketh Arms’ annual Open Doubles competition and is held to recognise the support given to the Club by our Honorary Vice-President, Mr. Bernard O’Malley.
The top half of the draw saw John Gatley and Damian Morrison progress to the final with wins against Terry Corfield and Graham Meadow (21-11), Jim Gray and Rita Manning (21-12) and in a very close, high quality semi-final, Dave Ball and Kevin Wilcox (21-19). Their opponents in the final were Harvey Birch and Tony Robinson, who play for Bispham Hall and Alexander Park Bowling Clubs in the St. Helens and Newton Bowling Leagues. Harvey and Tony reached the final by overcoming Andy Draper and Kevin Leddy (21-9), Matthew Brown and Aaron Hayhurst (21-20), David and Jack Clivery (21-13) and in the semi-final, Nigel Marsh and Nathan Warwick from the Grapes Hotel in Hyde (21-8)
In a closely fought final in which neither pair counted with more than two at any one end, it was Harvey Birch and Tony Robinson who came through to win 21-20 in a highly entertaining final.
Many thanks to all those who supported the competition and helped with marking, measuring and making tea and coffee. The Club would like to thank the Birkdale Insurance Group for sponsoring this competition and look forward to hosting it again in 2023.