2011 Dyer Cup and Appleby Vase Men & Ladies Club Singles

The Dyer Cup, club men’s singles, commenced on a cold and windy morning of Friday 11^th February with eight preliminary games, followed in the afternoon by the first round. The quarter final took place on Monday morning of 14^th allowing the ladies to make their entry with the first round of the Appleby Vase in the afternoon.   It must be mentioned that it was very brave of players and markers to play and thanks to all concerned helping to progress these competitions due to the adverse weather. On Friday 18^th with the weather very much improved, the ladies played their quarter finals culminating in both Men and Ladies semi-finals taking place in the afternoon.

The Dyer Cup Semi-finals were exciting games with the players involved were destined to put new faces on the cup because the favourites had been eliminated. 

The first semi-final between our captain Jim Pike and Mike Hendry was level up to the tenth end with the score at 8-8. Jim then woke up and scored a couple of ends gaining four shots, looking like a certain winner, however Mike had other ideas when on the eighteenth end, Jim was on 20 to Mikes 17 shots, giving Jim an anxious time for the next four ends as Mike scored six shots but couldn’t maintain the improvement as Jim score the shot needed to win the game.

The second semi-final between John Fitzgerald  and Graham Patrick. The game was played with  plenty of passion with Graham leading narrowly up to the twenty-third end when  he was five shots ahead. John who had been playing  well then scored four shots and a single shot bringing the score to 20- 20. A wonderful game was finalized by  Graham on the twenty-sixth end gaining the the shot required to win an excting tussle.

The Appleby Vase Semi-finals were unfortunately both one way games. The first was between Jane Franklin and Pat Deacon, where Pat who had played extremely well throughout the competition just didn’t turn up for this game. The other between Sue Mannall, a new bowler who had recently been playing with confidence was no match for the experienced Joan Parsons. 

The scene was set for the two Finals on the afternoon of Saturday 19^th in the Dyer Cup.  Jim Pike, who has been in several winning finals this year, was taking on the new star on the block, Graham Patrick. Jim did not play to his capabilities while Graham continued playing well, not allowing Jim to get ahead throughout the game and won comfortably.

The Appleby Vase final between two experienced players, Jane Franklin and Joan Parsons was a hard fought battle with Joan, a past winner of this competition, ahead on the fourteenth end by three shots. However a determined Jane didn’t let Joan score anymore shots taking the championship leaving Joan being bridesmaid for the second year running.

As usual thanks were given to all players, markers and spectators by yours truly for making these competitions go smoothly and effective.

Vic Parsons

ALBC Press Officer