Rowland Cup Returns After 74 years

The Rowland Cup final was played in just about perfect weather on Saturday morning between Priory and Alex Blue. Our hosts for the first time were Crofton Bowling Club who prepared everything to a tee including signage to welcome both teams. The bacon rolls were excellent and the helpers very well organised. The match was well fought throughout, close after every end until end 10 when Martin Eggleton’s rink picked up a six which gave them some daylight. The other pivotal end was end 14 on Adrian Snook’s rink when he turned a loss of four into a 4-shot gain. The whole match came to a thrilling conclusion with Priory needing a 5 on the last end to force a playoff. They held six right through to the last bowl of the match when Martin Eggleton (surprise, surprise, the last match playing) got in for 5th wood which meant that Priory took home the trophy for the first time since 1950 by 1 shot, 67-66. They were particularly pleased that they’d won the trophy with 5 first year bowlers in a baptism of fire! I’d like to finish by thanking Brian Knight for his umpiring on the day. He was far busier than he’d expected.

(Report by Simon Batcheler PDBA Competition Secretary)