Sunday 7th September was the culmination of a season packed with highs and lows for Monmouth Bowls Club.

After winning promotion to the third division of the Monmouthshire Bowling Association last season, 2014 did not start well.

The club had lost some members due to ill health and moves out of the area, and the depleted numbers meant members felt promotion was a step to far.

But the selection team did all they could to revive a spirit of determination and ultimately the team and supporters responded with their skill and doggedly set about the final three games with a 'can win' attitude.

Low and behold they did it – the three top clubs in the third division fell and Monmouth's position was secured.

On finals day, the first two games on the green were the Two Wood Championship between Paul Trueman, a player who joined this season, and competition secretary Roger Bywater.

This game played over 15 ends proved an enthralling match and ended with an 11-10 win for the new boy Paul, giving the club a new Two Wood Champion.

The other game was the Handicap, played the first to 21 shots. Bob Ruck was pitted against Graham Pritchard. Graham had a two-shot advantage but Bob overcame this to take the Handicap crown 21/10.

The Over 60s put captain Jeff Parker up against Bob Ruck in his second final of the day. This was a hard fought game and it went down to the wire with Jeff just shading Bob to become over 60s  Champion 21-19.

The Bernard W Shaw trophy is held in memory of the club's past presidents and chairmen. Donations are made to a cancer charity on the club's behalf. The competitors for this were Rex Green, another established Monmouth player, and Brian Abbott a player who joined from Usk Vale when that club sadly folded.

It was another close game won by Rex 21-17.

Paul Trueman, who joined Monmouth from one of the big Kent clubs, beat chairman Ken Taylor 21-11 to become Novice Champion.

The ladies finalists, drawn from Monmouth's small band of ladies, lived up to all expectations and proved to be a most exiting one bringing a high quality performance from both girls with Wendy Evans shading out Pat Hawkins 21-11 to become Ladies Champion.

The gentlemen's Championship decider was a tense affair between captain Jeff Parker and senior player Rex Green. It called for all the experience and tactics of both players to sort this game out but Rex eventually won 21-12 to become Champion again.

The last game on the green was the Club Pairs between Brian Abbott and Phil Davies, and Wendy Evans with Jeff Parker in a game consisting of 21 ends. It was a very exciting game watched by the whole assembled club and spectators with Wendy and Jeff winning 19-18.