Monmouth Bowls Club had two players representing them in the East Monmouthshire Bowls Association competition finals on Sunday. Often successful as a pair, Sean Croudace and Haydn Holder were in singles action on this occasion as Sean faced Keith Nash of Caldicot in the Open Singles final and Haydn faced Mark Wells of Gilwern, last year’s winner, in the Over60s Singles.

On adjacent rinks, the two were able to keep an eye on each other’s progress. Holder got off to a good start as Wells struggled to find “the green” early on, taking a healthy 12-5 lead in the “first to 21” contest. Meanwhile, Croudace was finding it difficult to match the “evergreen” Nash, described as the “Peter Pan of bowls” in the Chairman’s speech as he presented him with the winner’s trophy.

Holder’s lead was short-lived, as Wells recovered to 12-12. A ding-dong battle ensued as the score reached 15-15, then 17-17, with both players rescuing seemingly lost ends with the last bowl. The next three ends continued in similar vein, one shot at a time, and Holder took a 19-18 lead after 21 ends. The 22nd end saw Wells holding a match-winning 3 shots as Holder narrowly missed the jack after briefly holding shot. It was the last bowl of the end which left Holder’s hand, picking up the jack and trailling it towards his back bowl to take 2 shots and the match.

There is just over a month to go before the green closes for the winter and a few practice sessions now will, hopefully, leave bowlers keen to resume in April.

Just bring a pair of clean flat shoes and the club will supply the rest.

Please come to the green on Monmouth Sports Ground on a Monday evening or contact the club via its website or Facebook page.