Bowls Down

WORTHING Women s Open continued its downward trend of participation after its 57th bowls tournament which concluded at Beach House Park on Saturday.

Over the last three years, entries are fewer by around a third in two events and a quarter in the mixed event.

Singles entries have fallen from 96 to 64 in that time, women s pairs from 88 to 58 and mixed pairs from 120 to 92.

A new sponsor for 500 is required to replace the local Wakeford Hotel Group next year to maintain the prize money level which has stayed at 695 during the period in question.

According to organiser Tom Nicholds, parking fees were believed to be a problem two years ago but he adds that there is a nationwide decline in entries although the 1,150 Men s Open he runs next month had held steady this year.

Rain on two midweek afternoons set back the Women s Open schedule but an evening session agreed on Friday restored it. Local bowlers were on the wrong end of defeat in all three finals.

Sally Lewington of Beach Park has won the Women s Pairs with Peggy Hayward in 1999 (they lost in a quarter-final this time by one shot) and Mixed Pairs with husband Norman in 1993, but was denied the full set for her career when Fareham s Rosemary Bailey beat her 21-14 in the Singles final.

Lewington defeated Field Place s Freda Linberry 21-15 in the quarters without ever trailing, then Roselle Mauger of Jersey in a 29-end semi-final.

In the final, back from 4-0 to 5-5, Lewington led 11-5. Then Bailey won 10 of the next 12 ends, including a decisive four to lead 19-14.

For the full story, see the Worthing Herald, July 26.