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Armson crowned Observer champion

22/ 7/2008

MARK ARMSON was crowned champion as the Observer Bowls Tournament reached a nailbiting climax on Saturday.

It appeared Armson was heading out of the tournament in his semi-final clash against Dave Murray when he trailed the Royle bowler 8-18.

However, a tremendous comeback paved the way for a final clash against last year’s winner, Steven Halliwell. The 2007 winner led 20-17 in the final but once again Armson refused to be beaten and battled on to take the silverware.

Joyce Jones captured her fourth Observer title, beating Margaret Taylor in the Ladies’ final.

Bamford Bowling Club once again played host on finals night, with the green playing particularly well given the weather leading up to the evening.

Full Report

MARK Armson’s dream of lifting the famous Rochdale Observer Rose Bowl came true on Saturday night after a memorable night of play at Bamford bowling club.

Armson twice came from the brink of exit to lift the Rose bowl, beating defending champion Steven Halliwell 21-20 in the closest of finals. He refused to be beaten as he fought back from all but 17 in the final and all but 15 in his semi-final encounter against Dave Murray.

The final end which ensured Armson’s name would be engraved on the trophy was one of the tensest in the tournament’s history. There was silence around the green for the first time in the evening as the crowd knew exactly what was at stake for both players.

Armson had the block in hand, and despite a moderate lead which was a yard away from the block it was always going to take some beating under the circumstances. Halliwell finished just short of a yard with his first wood but had a second chance with his last bowl.

He paused and wished for good luck from the bowling gods then delivered into the back of his first bowl.

Unfortunately for him his second never really had enough force to move his first into a winning position and his hopes of becoming only the second man to retain the trophy were shattered.

Armson, one of the most consistent bowlers on the Central Lancashire circuit, has now gone one better than his previous best in the competition when he finished runner-up in 2006

Despite his loss Halliwell played his part in a great final and didn’t give up his trophy without a fight.

It was he who took the initiative in the final, establishing a 7-4 lead. But once Armson had won back the block he made his leads count and won the following seven ends.

It was Halliwell, however, who reached all but first, and the Bamford crowd was ready to salute the defending champion. But anyone who has ever played Crown Green Bowls knows the last point is always the hardest to find, and on this occasion it deserted Halliwell.

The ladies’ final produced an all Buersil encounter, with Joyce Jones prevailing 21-9 over club colleague Margaret Taylor. Jones has now won the event four times and has firmly established her name in the record books. She made the perfect start in the final and was 9-4 up after 10 ends.

Then, when a couple of twos went the way of the 2007 Isle of Man ladies’ champion, it was always going to be a mountain to climb for Taylor. Taylor was very impressive in her semi-final match against Beryl Longstaff, with a 21-12 victory.  But there is something about this competition and Joyce Jones that go together like a trophy in Brian Duncan’s cabinet.

Jones thrives on playing in this competition and not many people would bet against her making it magic number five next year.

Magic was something which deserted losing men’s semi-finalists John Halliwell and Dave Murray.

Halliwell, who had beaten fancied Michael Holden in the quarter-finals, held Steven Halliwell for eight ends when it was six across, but the defending champion then pulled away to win 21-11. Murray was 18-8 up against Mark Armson and looked booked for a place in the final until his opponent started the mother of all fightbacks.

Two doubles and a single gave Armson a glimmer of hope at 13-18, but Murray then went within two of victory.

Armson then enjoyed another run to level, Murray went all but, and it was then all but across. Armson got the vital one and Murray looked devastated.

Trophies were presented on the night by Alan Ashworth who, as a Falinge bowler, won the Rose Bowl 50 years ago. Finally, the Observer would like to thank Bamford Bowling Club for staging the finals and providing a superb green on the day.