Four County Titles for Falcon

Essex County Indoor Bowling Association Competitions

Falcon Indoor Bowling Club, Chelmsford was represented in six County Finals this season and impressively captured four titles to cement their position as one of the top competitive clubs in Essex. Falcon’s Lesley Collings and skip Sue Jones playing for the first time in the Women’s Pairs Final at Barking IBC against Havering’s Pat Whiteman and Beryl Morris had a tough game on their hands. After twenty ends of this twenty one end game the scores were all level with the Falcon duo managing to hold on to a one shot advantage to win this exciting match. Collings and Jones are Falcon’s first winners of this trophy which has been played for since 1987. Not to be outdone by the ladies success Falcon were represented in five of the six individual men’s championship finals played at Falcon’s Belstead Farm Lane arena. Unfortunately for Falcon Robert Measom came up against an in-form Lee Chaplin of Barking IBC in the final of the Under 25 Singles with Chaplin dispatching Measom 21 – 6. Better results were coming from the other four games in which Falcon had an interest. James Rippey was playing previous winner Steve Mitchinson of Tye Green IBC, Harlow in the Champion of Champions Singles event in what proved to be a top class demonstration of bowling. In a close struggle between these two Rippey came out on top to win this title for the second time by 21 – 18. Rippey also featured with England International Andy Squire in the Champion of Champions Pairs final against Tye Green’s Barry O’Connor and Steve Mitchinson. In another high quality close match the Falcon duo had the edge and won 23 – 19 to set up their third win in this event having previously won in 2007 and 2008. The Triples Final had Falcon’s Geoff Gasson, Derek Cook and Andy Squire matched against Barking’s David Farr, Nigel Smith and skip Jamie Holmes. The Falcon triple led all of the way throughout this match with Barking endeavouring to play catch-up. In the end Squire’s team were victorious 17 – 13 to retain the title that they won last season. In the Fours Final Falcon’s Eric Ovel, David Rye, Ian Gildersleve and David Gildersleve were up against Luke Banks, Kevin Moore, Terry Ward and skip Mike Rogacs from Turpins IBC, Saffron Walden. Turpins had never won this title before and they demonstrated high quality bowling throughout against their opponents who were playing on their home surface. In what transpired to be a very close and exciting finish the Turpin’s squad held on to a slender lead to run out deserved winners 19 – 17. Other results from the Essex finals were – Over 60’s league Playoff – Barking ‘A’ 35 Tye Green 29. Over 60’s Double Rink Knockout – Havering 45 Barking 35. Unbadged Singles – Ed Morris, Essex County IBC 21 Richard Horner, Colchester IBC 6.

National Finals come to Falcon in 2011

English Indoor Bowling Association Competitions

The venue for the English Indoor Bowling Association’s prestigious National Denny Cup and Denny Plate Inter Club Knockout competition has been awarded to the Falcon Indoor Bowling Club, Chelmsford in April 2011. This is the first time in recent history that any Essex Indoor club has been awarded a final of a national competition. President Tony Raisborough said, “We are delighted to have been awarded this event which is a credit to our club. We are sure it will be an excellent venue for such an important national event which we hope will be the first of many in the future.”

Falcon Finals Day

Beavis and Rippey are Singles Champions

A packed club arena witnessed the Falcon Indoor Bowling Club’s annual Finals Day event at Belsteads Farm Lane. Play in the thirteen finals commenced at 10am right through to 8pm in the evening. The highlight is always the Men’s and Ladies Championship Singles matches which this season featured in the men’s match a re-run of last season’s final. James Rippey was clearly out to retain his title and progress next season to the County Champion of Champions event. This he did in excellent style winning 21 – 7 against Andy Squire. The ladies final was between Chris Watts and Shirley Beavis. Beavis had a good start to go ahead by many shots but Watts was not to be outdone and forced her way back into the game. Beavis held onto her lead to win this excellent match 21 – 16. Rippey and Squire were in action again in the Men’s Pairs against opponents Mike Brickel and Fred Dowding with the winner qualifying for the Essex County Champion of Champions event next season. The formidable Rippy Squire combination proved unstoppable once again to win a well contested match 27 – 11. Other results were – Ladies – Club Triples – Sue Colbourne, Muriel Knights & Brenda Dodson 19 Vera Bayliss, Carol Cann & Jean Wyatt 11, PYO Triples – Shirley Beavis, Pip Kitchin & Val Bridge 24 Muriel Knights, Shirley Sucker & Maureen Ellis 10, Club Pairs – Dawn Hutchison & Jackie Thomas 21 Sheila Raisborough & Cathy Clarke 3, PYO Pairs – Sue Jones & Lesley Collings 12 Shelley Clarke & Emma Ransom 11, Presidents Cup – Sheila Cross, Carol Bird & Shirley Beavis 17 Iris Pallet, Pam Rout & Audrey Smith 7. Mixed Pairs – Joy Wade & Ian Muir 22 Sheila & Tony Raisborough 10, Junior Singles – Ryan Sheehan 21 Grace Hopkins 14. Men – Fours – Eric Ovel, Bob Crick, Derek Taylor & Joe Harris 14 Ray Walker, Tony Collings, Terry Little & Robert Walker 13, Triples – Alf Allen, Martin King & Ian Barker 24 Roy Brown, Ray Lovell & Ray Marshall 8, Unbadged Singles – Mike Shrimpton 21 Alf Allen 7.