On Saturday July 30, Rye Bowls Club hosted its annual Open Mixed Triples Tournament, sponsored by the Mermaid Inn.
This year, once again, an unprecedented number of teams from far and wide applied to take part in what has become a big event in their bowls calendar. As well as many of our regular participants, we were happy to welcome several new teams. With many other tournaments being cancelled, due to lack of support, we were very proud to be able to fill the 24 places available.
At 6am, Rye Bowls Club members were busy erecting marquees, tents and gazebos in preparation for the day ahead. The groundsman from the Landscape Group arrived soon after to give the green a final mow, leaving it looking superb and playing at its very best.
All teams were welcomed by Rye’s Town Crier, Rex Swain, a long serving member of Rye Bowls Club, and the Club President Cllr. Paul Osborne. Play commenced at 9:30am. Players received a superb two course lunch, and homemade savouries and cakes were available throughout the day.
Despite the advent of showers,the day progressed without a hitch, concluding at 5:15pm with the presentation of the trophies by Judith Blincow from the Mermaid Inn, together with the Club President.
The winners of this year’s event were B Kenward, R Cavie and L Kenward from Parade Bowls Club, Eastbourne (one of this year’s new entrants) with 31 points. Runners up were C Davies, J West and J Martin from Gildredge Park Bowls Club, Eastbourne, with 27 points. The third placed team were E Wilding, S Grainger and E Quinlan from Pett Bowls Club with 26 points, just pipping the team from Westfield on shot difference.
Photo: Margaret Everest