Please find below a report by Competitions Secretary Mike Potter on the 2023 Father & Son competition.
Shropshire Father & Son Doubles – Sat 17th June 2023 at District BC, Whitchurch.
A cloudy but warm start to the day accompanied a good welcome from hosts, District BC with burgers and hot dogs roasting on the barbeque, a field of 20 pairings and their supporters descended on the Whitchurch club to contest this year’s Father & Son Doubles.
With its two well presented greens and the sun burning away the clouds, things were set for high class bowls, and for those of us watching, were not disappointed as the day culminated with the seasoned doubles pairing of Wayne & Steven Rogers getting their hands on the champions trophy for a third time after eventually seeing off a valiant challenge from Alan & Aiden Hughes, in the final after 8 hrs of top class bowls action.
Although not players, being members of the host club meant a 4 chalk handicap had to be endured by Richard & Ed Proudlove and reigning Champions, Carl & Ben Hinton.
With both winning their first games and capturing the admiration of many onlookers, a special mention must be said of 10 year old Thomas Clarke(Spencer’s son) and the youngest player on the day, 5 year old, Rory King(Jamie’s son). Rory and Jamie managed to win their first game too.
Highlights from Quarter finals
In a replay of last years final, Wayne & Steven Rogers took advantage of a 4 chalk handicap to take a 10 chalk lead that was quickly wiped out by Carl & Ben Hinton, however, their challenge ended as Wayne & Steven won 5 consecutive ends that included two full house fours and went on to run out 21-06(10).
Gary & Connor Whitehall established a 9-3 lead only for Geoff & Josh Warner to level it at 11-11, 16-16 and 18-18 only to have Gary & Connor win it 21-18.
Alan & Aiden Hughes were quick off the mark to lead Spencer & Thomas Clarke 10-1 that they quickly converted in to a 21-5 winning card.
Tim & Will Childs turned a lead of 11-5 over Jamie & Will Brookes into a strong 17-10 position before Jamie & Will came back strongly to level at 18-18 only to see Tim & Will win two of the next three ends to finish it 21-19.
Highlights from the Semi-finals
Wayne & Steven Rogers shared the first 10 ends of their game with Gary & Connor Whitehall as the score went to 7-7. Gary & Connor went ahead 13-8 only to have Wayne & Steven fight back and push on to lead 20-15, and managed to hold on to secure a 21-19 win.
Alan & Aiden Hughes, from 2-4 down, forged in to a big 15-4 and 18-6 lead and after Tim & Will Childs managed to close the gap to get in to double figures, finished the game 21-13.
The Final
The final looked like it may be an evenly matched game with the Roger’s looking to erase the memories of many defeats in the competitions recent finals and eventually take the title for a 3rd time came up against the Hughes, chasing their 1st
Wayne & Steven Rogers had to fight hard to turn a 4-10(9 ends) score against Alan & Aiden Hughes in to trailling 8-13(14 ends) but from there, found a very favourable 21 metre straight mark as they only dropped a single chalk, taking 8 of 9 ends to win the final 21-14(23 ends).
County Competition Secretary, Mike Potter congratulated host club, District BC and its members for the provision of excellent greens, facilities and refreshments before presenting prizes to the deserving players and the Trophy to the 2023 and for the third time, Champions, Wayne & Steven Rogers.
Congratulations everyone concerned, another successful competition.
Mike Potter – SCGBA Comps Sec.
