BOWLS: The first week of the 72nd Felixstowe Open Bowls Tournament came to its conclusion on Saturday at the Felixstowe and Suffolk Bowling Club in brilliant sunshine with the finals of the ladies' and men's singles, ladies' pairs and mixed triples.

BOWLS

THE first week of the 72nd Felixstowe Open Bowls Tournament came to its conclusion on Saturday at the Felixstowe and Suffolk Bowling Club in brilliant sunshine with the finals of the ladies' and men's singles, ladies' pairs and mixed triples.

Edna Corcoran of the Ipswich and District Bowling Club was in great form to win the ladies' singles sponsored by Wainwrights Estate and Land Agents beating veteran Gwen Rednall, mother of England international John, 21-5 in the final.

In the semi-final Edna narrowly defeated last year's winner, Mary Saunders of Bramford Bowls Club, 21-19. Gwenda was a comfortable 21-12 winner over Kath Caley of Brantham.

In the men's singles sponsored by Arena Travel, Richard Vest of the host club crowned a superb performance by scoring a full-house four shots on the final end to edge out Philip Last of the Marlborough Bowling Club, the defending champion, 21-19 in a close and exciting encounter.

In the semi-final Richard defeated Jack Jermy of Beccles, the 2000 winner, 22-16 while in the other semi-final Philip had the better of Steve Mayes of the host winning 21-15.

Heather Wade and Pam Smith from Colchester won the ladies' pairs sponsored by John and Sandra Gray – Sea Front Emporium by beating Monica Snook and Jaqiue Edgar of the Boxford Bowling Club in the final.

The Colchester pair took an early lead 12-1 after five ends and maintained their advantage throughout to run out convincing winners by 27 to 17.

The mixed triples sponsored by the Marlborough Hotel, kept the crowd entertained to the end of the day where Wendy and Kelvyn Earthroll of the Ipswich Bowling Club, skipped out by Clive Webb of the host club, fought back from 5-17 at nine ends to 17-19 only to lose the last two ends to the winners Beryl and Norman Last and Mick Amos (sub for Philip Last) of the Otley Bowling Club.

Earlier in the semi-finals the Last family scored two shots on the last end for a one-shot win over Jean Nunn, Steve Mayes and Don Rednall of the host club while the Earthrolls and Webb were comfortable winners by 23-9 over Jenny and Nigel Friston and Dave Halliday of Felixstowe and Suffolk BC.

Results from Felixstowe

Ladies' Singles

Semi-Finals: M Saunders 19 E Corcoran 21, K Caley 12 G Rednall 21.

Final: E Corcoran 21 G Rednall 5.

Men's singles

Semi-Finals: P Last 21 S Mayes 15, R Vest 22 J Jermy 16.

Final: P Last 19 R Vest 21.

Ladies' Pairs

Semi-Finals: M Snook J Edgar 24, P Sage M Vincent 15, M A Page K James 9, H Wade P Smith 22.

Final: M Snook J Edgar 17 H Wade P Smith 27.

Mixed Triples

Semi-Finals: W Earthroll K Earthroll C Webb 23, J Friston N Friston D Halliday 9, B Last N Page P Last 18, J Nunn S Mayes D Rednall 17.

Final: W Earthroll K Earthroll C Webb 17, B Last N Last M Amos 21.