West Mids bowls latest

The final crown green bowling event of the season saw an all Warwick and Worcester final in the Deers Leap event at M&B Portland Road.

The competition, played to 31-up, had three Staffordshire bowlers reaching the last 16, although all three bowed out at this stage.

Lynn Pritchatt was particularly unlucky in losing 31-30.

Carl Fielding, well fancied before the finals, bowled well in his first round game by defeating Ivan Smout 31-15.

At the quarter-final stage he had to up his game again to see off Ross Evans 31-26.

Also making stealthy progress was Paul Gamsby who saw off top Shropshire bowler Callum Wraight 31-27 in the first round before a more comfortable 31-15 saw him reach the quarter finals.

The semi-finals saw both Fielding and Gamsby continue their excellent form with respective 31-21 and 31-22 victories.

A fascinating final was in prospect and didn’t disappoint the spectators with Gamsby producing another excellent performance to take the title 31-18.

*Alan Edkins, for many years a stalwart of the Staffordshire County Bowling Association and former Express & Star bowls correspondent, has decided to stand down from all official roles with the County and the BCGBA.

He was President of the County Association between 1982 and 1983 and President of the British Crown Green Bowling Association in 1992.

*The new indoor bowling season is getting underway and the AVH Industries League starts on Sunday, November 4, November at Cannock Leisure Centre (2pm).

Defending champions Mel Evans and Lynn Pritchatt open up against the 2005/6 runners-up Chris Halford and Clive Pittaway.

Last season’s runners-up Keith Carter and Craig Barker face club- mates Dave Murray and Brian Preece