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Benalmadena Open Triples Competition
25th - 28th February 2007
(Click on the pictures for larger
size - all photos © 2007 Carol
Harmond)
What a fantastic 4 days, the weather was kind, the bowling good,
the new Club House was fully functional and the final, well, what a cliff hanger
that was.
 Some
84 competitors took part in the first Benalmadena Open Triples Competition, this
made 28 Triples which were put into 7 groups of 4. Each triple had to play
the other 3 members of their group in a full 18 end competition, 2 points were
awarded for a win, with 1 for a draw. The winner of each group went through to
the quarter finals plus the best loser. From the quarter finals on, it was
to be a straight knock out competition. From comments heard during the
initial round-robin stage, all the competitors seemed to be enjoying themselves,
even those that we beaten, including yours truly, found the competition friendly
and enjoyable. (Right - The first day - photo
© 2007 Carol Harmond)
Those progressing to the quarter finals were:-
Benavista, Wendy Pemberton, David Hunter and Angie
Knight
Benalmadena, Mike Detheridge, John Kelly and Brian Todd
Belplaya, Frank & Pauline Ball and Charles Ottaway
Santa Maria, Maureen Cairns, Gary & Jenny Aldridge
Benavista, Malcolm Greenwood, Sam Hughes and Bert Campbell
Benalmadena, Alex Bradley, Kate Morris and Richard Jones
Belplaya, Peter & Marlene Brooks and Colin Handley
Mijas, Doug Deakin, Chrissie Sims and Murray Johns
 The
quarter finals, strangely, without exception were all one-sided affairs, all
were won by a decisive margin, in most, but not all cases, the favourites won
through. (Left - Quarter final, Ball vs
Cairns - photo © 2007 Carol Harmond)
 The Semi Finals, played in glorious sunshine on Wednesday
morning, were again, one-sided matches, the biggest shock being the departure of
one of the favourites, Malcolm Greenwood, Sam Hughes and Bert Campbell from
Benavista, Malcolm said afterwards that he just didn't play well and the team
from Mijas were really on form. Maureen Cairns and her team from Santa
Maria battled away, until almost the end, conceding on the 16th end
to the more powerful trio of Mike Detheridge, John Kelly & Brian Todd. (Right
- Quarter final, Detheridge vs Hunter- photo © 2007 Carol Harmond)
So, we come to the mouth-watering final, to on form Doug Deakin
and his team from Mijas, plus an on form, Mike Detheridge and team from
Benalmadena.
 Mike, John and Brian from Benalmadena took an early lead and at
one stage, looked as though they might be setting up another one-sided affair,
but Doug Deakin had other ideas With a good leading from Murray Johns and
then, especially once Chrissie Sims got the pace of the green, they really
started to put pressure on the Benalmadena team. Time and time again
Chrissie kept getting right up on the jack and doing everything her skip asked
of her. (Left - Quarter Final,
Brian Todd bowls for Benalmadena- photo © 2007 Carol Harmond)
 It wasn't until 16th end that the Mijas team finally
managed to go in front for the first time, getting a win of 2 shots to put them
ahead 15 - 14. Things were now being set up for a great finish and we
weren't disappointed. The 17th end saw Benalmadena come back with
some excellent bowling by the skip Mike Detheridge to win shot with his last
bowl, making it all square coming down the 18th. (Right
- 15 all for the last end - photo © 2007 Carol Harmond)
 The 18th, well you could cut the atmosphere with a knife, Brian
Todd set up a short jack and Benalmadena were all around it, but again, that
Chrissie Sims came in and nearly stole it, but Benalmadena were defending
well. Doug Deakin then really earned his skip's money, with an inspired
bowl he managed to take the jack back into all his own back markers, stealing
the thunder from under Benalmadena's noses. Despite all his skill, Mike
Detheridge just couldn't find a way through to the jack and Doug Deakin,
Chrissie Sims and Murray Johns ended with 2 shots and a well deserved win, 17
shots to 15. (Left - Final, Doug Deakin
bowls - photo © 2007 Carol Harmond)
Every one agreed, it had been one of those really great
competitions and thanks were given, on behalf of everyone, by Richard Jones,
Club Captain to Peter Metcalfe, Competition Secretary for a well organised
event.
 The prizes were awarded by Richard Jones, Club Captain, the
unlucky runners-up Mike Detheridge, John Kelly and Brian Todd from Benalmadena
each received a lead crystal plaque and the winners from Mijas, Doug Deakin,
Chrissie Sims and Murray Johns, Indigo Blue Crystal Trophies and cheque to
each member of the team. Doug Deakin in reply said that he wanted to thank
his team, who all bowled extremely well throughout the competition. (Right
- The winning team - photo © 2007 Carol Harmond)
 Thanks were also expressed to volunteers, Hilary Elliott and
Paula Brack who manned the Club House bar and provided such excellent food and
drink over the four days. (Ed's note: the bacon sandwiches were wonderful, but
the piece d'resitance being the freshly baked scones, fresh strawberries and
clotted cream served on the last day). (Left
- Competition Organiser, Peter Metcalfe samples the strawberries & cream -
photo © 2007 Carol Harmond)
Report - Carol Harmond
Picture Gallery (video now available click
here)
(The video is also available in full DVD quality in illustrated case with chapter
selection, souvenir booklet and bonus content of a slide show containing more
than 120 pictures from the competition, total running time 40 minutes, is available at 8 euros per copy (discount for club members) from Benalmádena Bowls Club or
contact Carol. (Profits to club funds).
(Click on the pictures for larger size -
all photos © 2007 Carol Harmond)
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