2012 Appleby Vase & Dyer Cup Report

The Dyer Cup and the Appleby Vase club men’s and ladies singles respectively, commenced on a cold and windy morning of Friday 3rd February with seven preliminary games together with one game in the ladies singles. The afternoon continued with the completion of the men’s preliminary rounds and the commencement of the ladies first round. Monday morning and afternoon of the 6^t,h, games were played to reach the quarter and semi-finals for both the men and ladies to be played on Friday 10^th   Thanks must go to the players and markers who enabled these competitions to take place despite the adverse weather, especially.

The Dyer Cup Semi-finals commenced with the first semi-final between our Vice-Captain, John Fitzgerald and Norman Atkins who on paper was a very close game. However Norman who had played extremely well up to this stage was not on form and John didn’t give any mercy and romped home the winner.

The second semi-final between Graham Patrick and our illustrious Captain, Jim Pike was an exciting game. On the eleventh end it seemed as Graham was the only player with the score at 16-4. However although Jim woke up and fought tenaciously, but still couldn’t get ahead with Graham winning by three shots.

The Appleby Vase semi-finals were unfortunately both one way games. The first was between Catherine Patrick and Maria Pinkster, the other was Patsy Tonkin against  Siobhan Herrity. Well done to Patsy and Catherine respectively for winning their games and for Maria and Siobhan for reaching this stage.

The scene was set for the two Finals on Saturday 11^th February. In the Dyer Cup, John Fitzgerald was against his good friend and pair’s partner, Graham Patrick who was celebrating his 65th birthday. This was an epic final with both players playing extremely good bowls. The lead changed constantly throughout the game when on the twenty-fourth end scores were 19-19. Again it was a very good head with John just squeezing the two shots required to win. Both players must be congratulated on giving the many spectators a game to be remembered.

The Appleby Vase final was between Grahams other half Catherine and Patsy Tonkin who had won this competition in 2008 and 2009. Catherine started well and was in the lead after seven ends. Patsy then started to show her experience by creeping ahead end by end. Catherine played some very good bowls and made a spirited fight back on the twenty-first and second end scoring   two shots on each end. However Patsy wasn’t going to lose this fight and won by three shots.

As usual Jim Pike thanked all players, markers and spectators and yours truly for making these competitions go smoothly and effective.

Vic Parsons

ALBC Press Officer