An exemplary display has seen Paul Evans from M&B Cheslyn Hay become the first person since Dave Wright (Windmill) in 1993 to retain the MV Dams Trophy.

Fourteen bowlers competed in the finals and included Bev Pritchard (King George V) and Paul Rolls (The George).

The Cannock Hatherton green, part of the Cannock Cricket and Hockey club complex, provided a tough challenge for the competitors, although John Newey (President of the Summit Garage Premier Bowls League) began brightly by defeating Pritchard 21-9.

Tony Maritza, also caught the eye as defeated Gil Lewis 21-8. Paul Evans defeated Alan Wood 21-15 and Richard Taylor (Burton Manor) was also impressive in his 21-13 defeat of Pat Calvin.

The quarter finals saw Tony Maritza (Boliden) progress as his consistent leading was too good for John Newey.

Tim Jones (Hagley), who had narrowly squeezed past Paul Rolls 21-20 in the first round, succumbed to Paul Evans in a tight 21-17 game.

In the other half of the draw Richard Taylor produced an excellent display to defeat Dave Maritza (Walsall League) 21-12 and Pat Murray (Lichfield Crown Green) produced a surprise in defeating Dave Elliott (Dudley Building Society Bowls League) 21-14.

In the semi finals Evans raced into a game winning 19-12 lead before a brief rally and some excellent bowls by Maritza saw the gap reduced to 19-15.

Both bowlers added a single before a poor lead from Maritza and excellent reply from Evans saw him take the game 21-16.

The other semi final saw Richard Taylor take early command and with Murray unable to reproduce the form of his quarter final the Burton Manor bowler swept into the final with a 21-8 victory.

The early stages of the final were fairly even, but a run of six shots then saw Paul Evans move into an 8-4 lead.

Taylor, nicknamed ‘Barnes Wallis’ for his unorthodox firing, used it to good effect to stay in the final, and clawed his way back to lie 12-9 down.

However, Evans then found a mark along the side of the green and appeared to be heading for the title as he went 20-9 up.

Richard Taylor then produced some excellent deliveries to pile the pressure on Evans who saw his lead whittled down to 20-16.

A lax lead from Taylor and another quality bowl from Evans saw him wrap up the title 21-16.

The trophies were presented by Vic Dams widow Irene, who herself had served as Treasurer for the Staffordshire County Bowling Association for over thirty years.

Results:

First Round: B. Pritchard (King George V) 9 John Newey (Summit Premier League) 21, T. Maritza (Boliden) 21 G. Lewis (Springvale Ts) 8, P. Rolls (The George) 20 T. Jones (Hagley) 21, P. Evans (M&B Cheslyn Hay) 21 A. Wood (Goodrich) 15, R. Taylor (Burton Manor) 21 P. Calvin (ChubbSafes) 13, D. Maritza (Walsall League) 21 P. Barlow (Wednesbury Cons) 19, D. Elliott (Dudley Building Society League), P. Murray (Lichfield Crown Green) byes

Quarter Finals: J. Newey 13 T. Maritza 21, T. Jones 17 P. Evans 21, R. Taylor 21 D. Maritza 12, D. Elliott 14 P. Murray 21.

Semi Finals: T. Maritza 16 P. Evans 21, R. Taylor 21 P. Murray 8. Final: P. Evans 21 R. Taylor 16.