David Cornwell House, Bowling Green, Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 0DA
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S.A.Rodwell e-mail: sar@eiba.co.uk
REPORT
ON FINALS"Greengauge" National Singles Championship 2001
Barry Patterson (Moonfleet 2000) came from behind to defeat Andrew Friend (Ipswich) despite dropping a three on the penultimate end. The remaining First Round games were played on Friday morning.
Second Round games were played at 12 noon on Friday, with spectators enjoying the tussle between Simon Leader (St.Neots) and England International, Gary R.Smith (Sunderland). Another England International, Andy Thomson (Cyphers) came from behind scoring 1-2-2-3 to defeat Graham Smith (Spalding) 21 - 16. John Ottaway similarly scored 1-1-4-1 to beat Nick Cammack (Nottingham), 21 -17.
The players then had a rest whilst the Pairs Final was played, returning to the green on Friday evening to contest the Quarter-finals. Andy Thomson had an excellent game against Simon Leader, losing only two out of fourteen played ends. Billy Jackson won four of the last five played ends to defeat Peter Ward, Les Gillett easily overcame John Ottaway. Rob Paxton (Exonia) had a real tussle with Barry Patterson, with Rob leading 13 - 6 after eleven played ends only to then find his lead cut to one shot at nineteen played ends. Rob booked his place in the Semi-Final on Saturday morning, by then taking a 3 and 1.
In the Semi-finals, Les Gillett scored 2-1-1-3-3-2 to stand 13 - 2 up after nine ends against Andy Thomson, eventually moving into the Final 21 - 14. In the other game, Rob Paxton scored 3-1-4-2 to stand 18 - 6 up against Billy Jackson, eventually winning 21 -13.
The Final, played in front of a full stadium, saw Les Gillett establish an early lead of 6 - 0 at five ends. Rob Paxton then took the next eleven ends to establish what he must have surely felt was a Championship winning score of 20 - 6. Les Gillett thought otherwise, dug deep and proceeded to score 2-1-2-2-4-2-2 to become the 2001 Greengauge National Singles Champion by the closest possible margin of 21 - 20.