Richardson scoops open bowls crown

The Championship singles was won by Dave Richardson (Lindfield Bowling Club) who romped home 21-8 in a very disappointing final against Charles Wright (White Rock) which lasted 16 ends.

Victory completed a very successful few weeks for Richardson who was losing finalist in the pairs at Eastbourne, and triples winner at the Hove and Kingsway tournaments.

Prior to the final, Wright was involved in two nail-biting contests which both ended 21-20, the semi-final against Lee Dickson being particularly tense as it lasted 30 ends.

The pairs final proved to be another disappointing game to watch as Mike Osbourne (Horton Kirby) and George Haskins (VCD) triumphed 20-5 against Tom Hume (Polegrove) and Ted Hurlock (Eastbourne). A six on the ninth end saw Osbourne and Haskins surge into a 14-1 lead and they never looked back as the match was conceded after 18 ends.

The best final of the day was the triples in which Martin Heitzman (White Rock), Dave Shorey (Sidley Martlets) and Tosh Springate (White Rock) were up against Bill Whittington (White Rock), Graham Lavender (Rosemount) and Ron Packham (Northiam).

Springate's triple took a four shot lead after three ends but lost the next six ends (2-1-2-1-1-3) to trail 10-4. Springate's triple hit back over the next six ends with a winning run of 2-1-2-2-1-3 to open up a 15-10 advantage before eventually taking the title 17-11.

The lead in Springate's triple was Martin Heitzman, who at the age of 13 was playing his first ever final and according to his skip had played well all week.

Tournament organiser Bill Whittington revealed: "I was told by Martin's father Steve, that after taking him out for the evening to celebrate his win he had a hard job to prise the cup out of Martin's hands before he went to bed. Let's hope this is the first of many cups that young Martin gets his hands on."

The consolation pairs was won for the second year running by Andy Loakes and John Smith from Chess Vale who edged out George Rudge and Ray Davis from Eltham 18-17.

The trophies were presented by long serving committee member Jack Wish. The tournament committee would like to thank R and R Kitchens of Bexhill and Top Flight Supplies of Hastings for their continued sponsorship.