By Suzi Cooper
With a total of 10 clubs involved in this years semi finals in the end it came down to just 7 clubs involved in the finals.
First up on Monday was the Mixed Rinks between Jean McLaughlin, Richard Warrilow, Stewart Beattie & Chris Salter (El Cid) against Freddie Willey, Peta Rhodes, Lisa & Peter Bonsor (Greenlands).
El Cid were in a fine vein of form and looked to be edging their way to victory in what became an enthralling 3+ hour match. It took until the 16th end of the final for their run to end, one of those spectacular firing shots from a certain Peter Bonsor, who, with his team trailing 13-14, cut the jack sideways with his final bowl, leading to a score of 5, which took his team to the title by 18-14.
On Monday afternoon we had the Mixed Pairs with Linda & Gary Ponsford (Country Bowls) playing Lisa & Peter Bonsor (Greenlands). The Greenlands pair took an early lead which they maintained until the end.
Tuesday dawned with yet another final for defending champions Peta Rhodes, Lisa & Peter Bonsor (Greenlands) as they faced their club mates Sue Bosworth, Andy Miles & Dave Morrison. It was the current holders that took the title.
The Ladies Pairs took place at the same time with Jayne Storey & Linda Ponsford (Country Bowls) taking on Janet Jukes & Debbie Perryman (Greenlands). It was the Greenlands ladies who enjoyed success.
Onto the afternoon – usually reserved for the 2 premier events – Mens & Ladies Singles, this year they were joined by the Mens Pairs final, due to Pete Bonsor being in 4 Finals. Good job he is still a youngster.
Pete & Dave Morrison, the defending Champions, played against Alan Bannister & Martin Foulcer (Vistabella). They never looked under any great pressure & went on to secure the title, giving Mr Bonsor 4 Valencian titles, one more than he achieved in 2023.
Meanwhile Mary Dyer (Emerald Isle) played against Barbara Louis (San Luis in the Ladies Singles. It was close early on and in the end Mary secured a long overdue singles win, the last being as a member of the Ladies Pairs winning team in 2018.
The Mens Singles was an all Quesada affair. Peter Morgan (past Valencian & National Champion) played against Harald Olsen.
Shots were traded with both players drawing well and not much to separate them for most of the match but in the end it was the experienced Peter Morgan who gradually pulled away to take the honours.
After the matches were concluded the Presentations were made by Valencian Delegate Bob Donnelly together with the relevant sponsors of each event who Bob thanked for their support of yet another successful tournament
Bob also thanked Competition Secretary John O’Brien who, after running the competition for the last six years, is standing down to allow new blood to take over.
LIST OF TOURNAMENT AND DISCIPLINE SPONSORS:
Linea Directa, WLS Detection Services, Inmo Investments, Dolphin Properties, Euronics Blue Lagoon, Juanjo Plumbing Services, Avalon Funeral Plans
