12:21pm Monday 14th January 2013
By Bill Atkinson
ON A bitterly cold Sunday morning this really was the "winter" flyers but there was still a good turnout of hardy enthusiasts.
At the end of play it was yet another Tixall player, Nigel Hughes, who took the first prize defeating the Welsh player, John Jones, from the Baileys Hill Club.
In the quarter finals, Hughes beat a player who on only his second visit to Birkenhead Park again reached this stage of the competition, the promising Jack Keily of Heswall RBL. Hughes then went on to just squeak past his team mate from Tixall Jamie Fitzpatrick
Meanwhile, to reach the final Jones had two fairly comfortable wins firstly against the very consistent John Cosgrove of Quarry Vikings and then Eddie Dutton in the semi-finals.
In the final, Hughes was in imperious form and he dominated the match to take his first win for some time at these Tournaments.
Results:
N Hughes 21, J Keily 11; J Fitzpatrick 21, T Howell 16; E Dutton 21, D Evans 13; J Jones 21, J Cosgrove 15.
Semi-finals: Hughes 21, Fitzpatrick 21; Jones 21, Dutton 15.
Final: Hughes 21, Jones 11.
Before the matches got under way the players stood in silence to pay tribute to a man who had for some time been one of the most popular bowlers at the Flyers.
Fred Arnell won the event as recently as two months ago but sadly earlier this week he suffered a massive heart attack and died.
A member of the Magazine Club for more than twenty years and more recently also at Royden he always gave his best and will be remembered by all for his unfailing good humour. He was a true gentleman. Our sympathy goes to his friends and his family.
The funeral is at 11.30am, next, Monday, January 21, at Frankby Cemetery.
It was good to hear that the threat of closure that has hung over one of Wirral's most successful bowling clubs has been averted.
The Gladstone Sports and Social Club has been saved and the team will continue to challenge for honours on the Wirral, and beyond.
With the current uncertainties surrounding most of the council greens this really is great news and all those involved with saving the club are to be congratulated.
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