Royal takes the crown at Boston Indoor Bowls Club

Attracting 64 bowlers to play over six rounds of knock-out bowls, the eventual winner was Mark Royal, last year’s runner-up, who beat Boston bowler Nathan Dunnington 7-3, 5-5 in a close final played over two-sets.

Round Two on Sunday saw three of the favourites crash out as last year’s winner, Stephen Harris, was beaten by his sister, Louise, and two England Internationals, both bowlers ranked in the top 16 of the World Bowls Tour, Wayne Willgress and Aaron Johnson, were beaten by Adrian Harris and Jack Emmerson respectively.

Three Boston bowlers made it to the semi-finals, where Nathan Dunnington beat Ian Clark 8-2, 10-2 and Dave Allen was just pipped by Mark Royal 5-5, 6-2.

Sponsorship was provided by New Clean Lincolnshire, Theraplate Kirton and BIBC’s Bonus Ball. The two-day event was keenly watched by club members and visitors, all having the opportunity to see some of the best and most talented bowlers nationally and locally compete on our carpet.

The Evening League continued last week with three of the top four in the Orchard Health Group First Division winning 6-0.Holland Fen were much too strong for A40, fifth, recording wins of 42-5 and 19-14.

Invaders faced Nomads and were made to work hard for their wins, 24-16 on Rod West’s rink, coming back from 13-16, and 14-10 for Scott Whyers after being 10-10 with three ends to go. Optimists beat bottom side Royal Mail 14-11 in a close contest and 27-10, after dominating the last third of the game.

Strollers beat Golfers 4-2, Mick Hippisley skipping his rink to a good 26-8 win. Golfers took the other rink 16-15 on the last end having never led at any point.

Breakaways and IBC remain sixth and seventh after their game ended with IBC winning 4-2, Steve Skelton’s rink winning 18-14, the second rink going to Breakaways as Mike Rymer claimed the win 14-13 following a closely fought game.

Parthians, eighth, took 4 points against Dynamics, ninth, Richard Keeling controlling their game to win 27-10, Graham Wilkinson taking the other, 19-9.

Second-placed Hotspurs in Cammacks Division Two won 6-0 against Phantoms to keep up the pressure on leaders Desperados who dropped another two points, this time against Shipmates.

Mike Long’s Hotspurs rink started well and controlled the game throughout to win 25-7. Rob Druce’s rink started slowly to be 5-15 down, then dominated the game to run out 24-15 winners.

Dean Harris skipped Desperados to win 25-10, while Jeff Ginsburgh ensured two points for Shipmates, winning 15-12.

In-form Amateurs beat Burtons 4-2, winning 20-10 on one rink and only just losing the other rink 13-16, having led 11-3 half-way through.

Vikings took 4 points against Woodpeckers with a good win on John Stray’s rink 28-13 and losing the other by one shot, 13-14.

Kingfishers beat Vectors 6-0 to move into fifth, winning 24-6 and 22-12.