Big day of finals set for Old Dagenham Bowls Club
It’s back to Old Dagenham Bowls Club for a third year running as Group 5 Finals Day springs into action with a host of talent taking part in the prestigious competitions.
The blue riband event of the finals will be the prestigious Champion of Champions event which looks to be a mouthwatering clash.
Previous winner Paul Whellams from Wanstead Central will look to win the title once again when he takes on the in-form holder of the title, Peter Barham from South Woodford, in the final.
Both have been impressive on the way to this year’s decider, with Whellams dispatching Matt Frost, Gary Burns and Kevin Reid along the way.
Barham got the better of Gary Cook, Ken Cutts and Ray Patrick to book his place in what looks to be a high quality showdown.
In the Geoff Hatfield Trophy, which is open to all Group 5 players, we will see a battle between Ray Patrick from host club Old Dagenham and Wanstead Central’s David Baxter.
Patrick squeezed home in an epic encounter with Bashir Patel of Plashet Park by 21-18, while Baxter overcame John Plunkett of Aldersbrook 21-20.
Plunkett has made the final of the unbadged singles Waur Trophy.
Having got the better of Jim Boyce 21-11 in the semis, he will now face Ken Cutts of Central Park, who beat Old Dagenham’s Jim Cossington 21-18.
The Veterans Cup will see Woodford’s Neil Whiteside take on Mick Richardson for top honours in the over-60s final.
Meanwhile, Ilford have made it to two of the team finals as they look for some silverware.
They take on Aldersbrook in the Beckett Trophy which is a two rink home and away competition, before they play Central Park in the Cordell Cup final over three rinks of four.
Aldersbrook will also take on South Woodford in the double triples Seeley Trophy, while the other final sees Wanstead Central take on Woodford in the final of the Unbadged Double Fours.
It promises to be an excellent day’s entertainment, beginning at 9.30am and going on throughout the day, with the Champion of Champions starting at 3pm. The last matches will begin at 4.30pm.
There will be refreshments available all day, so why not pop down and see some action!
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