Tigers earn stripes but cannot lift trophy

Heading into last weekend’s Kestrel Guards-sponsored showpiece event, the Tigers had only lost one rink in the competition with Railway impressively unblemished.

A close game was expected, and it was the Tigers who put the early bite on the Railway, taking a 9-0 lead after the three rinks had played one end.

But gradually the Railway started to find some momentum and after six ends the Tigers were still in front 21-18.

The Tigers flexed their muscles again and at the halfway stage had increased their lead to 31-25.

The Railway were not to be outdone and got their game back on track and after 12 ends, with the scores level at 36-36.

Richard Horler (Tigers skip) was having a good battle against Nathan Durman (Railway skip), but dropped seven shots on the sixth end which gave the Railway the lead 9-4.

It was just the incentive they needed as they took control of this rink and went on to win it 25-11.

Mark Hanson (Tigers skip) was having a tremendous battle against Mike Barrett (Railway skip).

After six ends the Tigers were narrowly leading 7-6, but after 12, it was Railway who were ahead 13-12.

The Railway rink continued to exert pressure and went on to win this rink 29-16 to put themselves in complete command of the final.

It was a different story on the third rink where Cyril Friend (Tigers skip) was in total control against Stuart Rowney (Railway skip) and after six ends the Tigers were leading 10-3.

After 12 ends they were still seven shots clear at 15-8 and Railway were in danger of losing their first rink in the competition.

After 16 ends the Tigers were still ahead 18-13, but then the Railway picked up four shots on the 17th to trail 18-17.

On the final end the Railway were holding three shots and it looked as though their 100-per-cent rink record was intact.

But Cyril Friend ensured beaten Tigers had the last word in the competition and drew the shot to win the rink 19-17 and end Railway’s proud record.

Fareham Tigers: Gina Pindar, Mike Coleman, Richard Horler (skip), George Hanson, Dave Holland, Mark Hanson (skip), Carol Pullin, Paul Nicholls and Cyril Friend (skip).

At the same time, the game to decide third and fourth places was being played between Banister Park Gold and Lockswood A.

Banister Park Gold proved to be triumphant winnin out 59 shots to 46 overall.

After the game a buffet was provided and Daphne Blackburn, President of Palmerston Indoor Bowls Club thanked the competition sponsors Kestrel Guards Ltd for their continued support and presented the prizes and trophies.