Manor Park Sports Club

On Saturday 2^nd March, after four days and playing nearly 20 hours of bowls, Malvern Hills players Edric Vorsterman and Ron Coleman were crowned Over 60’s Mens Pairs National Champions.

The final of the last 32 was played at Melton Mowbury.  On Wednesday 27th Feb Malvern met Shildon in the first round. After 5 ends Malvern had a comfortable lead of 10 to 1. They stayed ahead to win 22 to 15.

In the second round against Park View they had another easy win 22 to 9.

Friday brought sterner opposition, Plymouth raced ahead to lead 13 to 2 after 5 ends and it was still a serious deficit, 17 to 9 at halfway. Malvern now surged back scoring 11 against 2 over the next 8 ends to lead 20 to 19 with 3 ends to go. Two singles to Malvern and one single to Plymouth  saw Malvern through to the semi-final.

This was played on Saturday morning against Folkestone, an even low scoring first half saw Folkestone leading 8 to 7 after 10 ends. However by the 15^th end Malvern had jumped away to what looked a comfortable lead 17 to 10. It was now Folkestone’s turn to fight back to a nail biting finish. Even though Malvern had a 5 shot lead on the last end this gap was narrowed and Malvern hung on to win 19 to 18.

After a short break the final was played in the afternoon.  Malvern started well and led 8 to 2 after 5 ends. St Andrews came back to level 10 all at ten ends. Malvern inched ahead again to go 17 to 12 at 15 ends. Again St Andrews came back to lead 18 to 17 at 18 ends. A single to Malvern tied the score at 18 all. Now due to the slow play of St Andrews there was only time for one more end. Malvern edged this by a single shot to take the title 19 to 18.