Duo bow out of champs (From Stourbridge News)

Duo bow out of champs

County secretary Sue Pugh said it was an honour' for officials from Dudley to be asked to referee the finals of the British Crown Green Ladies Bowling Association Champion of Champions event at the Waterloo Hotel, Blackpool.

Pugh said all involved enjoyed the experience although the two bowlers representing Dudley were unable to bring home the trophy.

Mandy Pagett had to play her game in dreadful conditions with driving rain making this famous venue more like a water polo field and she duly lost her opening game 21-14.

County champion Brenda Viney, after a bye in her opening game, then bowled well to defeat South Yorkshire champion Jayne Gough 21-11.

Although she was not to know it at the time, the Black Country star lost 21-7 in the last eight to the eventual winner of the title along with a first prize of £200 - Pat Roscoe from Greater Manchester.

She defeated favourite Ann Roberts from North Lancs and Fylde 21-20 in the final.

A total of £240 was raised from the recent memorial challenge match held for Brian Turner and Malcolm Knowles at The Woodman Brockmoor BC.

Founded in 1897, the Warwick and Worcester CBA will for the first time have female bowlers playing in the Premier, Alliance League Cup and merit competitions after delegates at the AGM supported a proposal by 52 votes for an 42 against.

A proposal for a levy of 50p on each registered member to assist the funding of the senior county side was defeated as was a proposal to reduce the number of teams in a league from 12 to 10.

A new fixture format was approved which will see the season split into two halves with teams playing their opponents once in the first half of the season and the return in the second half.

There was approval to changes in the way the Arthur Mitchell Cup is run but a proposal to alter playing the Senior and Alliance Cup on a Saturday/Sunday instead of Friday was defeated.

Final W&W League tables show that The Royal Oak from Halesowen won just four matches in Division Two and are relegated.

Romsley and Hunnington just escaped relegation from Division Six, finishing fourth bottom with only nine wins to their credit.