Francis Drake Bowls Club

31-Aug-2025

2025 Finals Weekend

Our grand Finals Weekend

Saturday 30th August 2025

The weekend’s events kicked off with the Gardiners semi-final one between Les and Mark J. Mark J got off to a flyer, winning the first five ends before Les got into gear, but it was an uphill battle having given Mark an 11 point start. Les’s resilient fight back brought him to (20-17), both players within one end of victory, but Mark took it with 1 point on end twenty (21-17)

Gardiners semi-final two between Fred and Maz was played in the afternoon. In complete contrast to semi one, it was a tit for tat to and fro encounter. (4-4) after four ends. Maz gets 3 (4-7) then loses the next four ends (11-7) then gets another 3 (11-10) at end ten, and so it goes, (16-16) end 17, (18-18) end 21. But here Maz keeps the momentum getting a 2 and a 1 to take it (18-21) after twenty three ends.

This sets up Sunday’s final between Mark J and Maz. Maz gets a decent start (2-5) up by end five. Mark gets a 3 and catches up. Maz pulls away again (5-11) end nine. Mark catches up again (12-12) end fifteen. And with the bit between his teeth he keeps up the charge, crossing the finishing line (21-13) end twenty one.

Saturday morning also saw the 100 UP (aka The Honeywell Cup), Rob versus Captain Dennis. Another ding dong of a match, all even (20-20) after four ends. Then Rob gets a 9 (29-21). Dennis is playing catch up now, and at end fourteen he is only 2 points behind (71-69). It’s all to play for again but Dennis drops an 8, (79-71), the slowly shrinking gap widens just as it was about close. Rob wins the next four ends taking victory (104-86).

Our President Jill is marking the Presidents Cup between Sue and Yvonne. It’s played on rink four, maybe it shouldn’t have been, it’s a tricky rink with odd lines, bumps and grooves. Yvonne seems to find a way to the jack but Sue’s small woods get veered and disturbed. Sue offers no excuses as Yvonne takes it (16-7) at end sixteen.

After a splendid lunch laid on by Beryl, Sylvia and Jill the afternoon session begins.

The Centenary Cup, Tim versus Rob. A game of three halves! Rob gets off with a hat trick, (0-3), Tim nicks a couple, (2-3) end three. Rob romps away taking the first set (3-8). Set two The position is reversed, (3-2) to Tim end five, Tim then gets a 3, then Rob gets a 3. Set two to Tim (6-5). The third half decider. (2-2) after three ends, Tim drops a 3 (2-5), he never recovers from this as Rob holds his own (4-7), victory to Rob 2 sets to 1.

The main event for the men, the Championship, Silver Fox (aka Dave Fricker) versus Les Mangar. In a repetition of his Gardiners semi final Les finds himself (11-0) down by end six. Bringing out his resilience again he begins another rearguard fight back, (12-6) by end twelve, but Silver Fox braces himself (17-6) end sixteen. Then Les goes on the rampage, (17-15) end twenty, all to play for. And in a repetition of victory in last years final the victor (Silver Fox) takes a full four points and the win (21-15)

Sunday 31st August 2025

The final day of finals. Can the matches match the excitement of yesterday? Pairing up in the pairs, last years mens champ with this years mens champ Rob and Silver Fox take on John Park and Tim. Its another ding dong catch me if you can encounter. (2-2) after three ends. Rob and Foxy win 9 of the 18 ends, John & Tim win the other 9, but with the rub of the green they took three 3’s and a 4, whereas Rob and Foxy never scored more than a 2. Victory to John and Tim (19-13)

The main event for the ladies, the Championship, Maz versus Sue. Maz takes it one at a time (6-0) end six. Sue gets a full house (6-4) end seven. One by one they trade shots, (7-7) end eleven. Sue goes on a spree, (7-19) end eighteen. Maz rallies (9-19) end twenty, but its not enough Sue goes through with a 2 (21-9).

Tim and Foxy go toe to toe for eighteen ends with three woods. Tim streaks away (11-1) end six, Foxy tries to pull back (11-2) but the streaking continues, (16-2) end ten, with limited ends the pressure is on, and a 2 illuminates a light at the end of the tunnel for Foxy (16-4) end eleven, but a 2 and a 3 for Tim make the mathematics impossible, (21-4) end thirteen.

Congratulations to all the players for making the finals and thanks to everyone who made the weekend possible by being part of our club and doing your bit.