GLADSTONE'S John Finch added to his already burgeoning trophy cabinet when he won this year's Wirral Merit title at the Lever Club on Sunday.

He beat his team mate Ray Lynch 21-13 in the final.

Finch had to come through a tough quarter final game against another Gladstone player before being just too good for Cammell Lairds Peter Holian in the semis.

Lynch enjoyed a very straightforward victory over Port Sunlight Village and Works Peter McBride in his quarter final game and he then had an excellent win over Tixall's Mick Andrews to reach the final.

Results:

Quarter Finals: P. Holian (Cammell Lairds) 21, R. Rogers (Tixalls) 11; J. Finch (Gladstone) 21, N. Burridge (Gladstone) 14; M.Andrews (Tixall) 21, J. Ellis (Gladstone) 12; R. Lynch (Gladstone) 21, P. McBride (Port Sunlight Village and Works) 05.

Semi Finals: Finch 21, Holian 06; Lynch 21, Andrews 14.

Final: Finch 21, Lynch 13.

The previous day saw the final stages of the Wirral and District's Ashman Doubles Tournament.

This was won by Mick Andrews and Paul Brady of Tixalls who beat the pairing of Albany's Jordan McElnay and Gladstone's Jamie Smith in the final.

Andrews and Brady had beaten Peter Holian and Peter Miller of Cammell Lairds in the semis while Smith and McElnay had a surprisingly one sided victory over the very strong pairing of Gladstone's John Finch and Nick Burridge in their semi final.

Andrews and Brady had played very well throughout the tournament and took the final 15-10.

Though she lost in the final, I believe congratulations are due to young Jordan McElnay as she became the first lady ever to reach the final of this event.

Results:

Quarter Finals: M. Andrews and P. Brady 15, Craig Saville and A. Thompson 11; P. Holian and P. Miller 15, D. Jones and A. Popham 06; J. McElnay and J. Smith 15, J. Edwards and C. Portis 13; J. Finch and N. Burridge 15, J. Roberts and N. Humphries 08.

Semi Finals; Andrews and Brady 15, Holian and Miller 10; McElnay and Smith 15, Finch and Burridge 03.

Final: Andrews and Brady 15, McElnay and Smith 10.

This Saturday, August 23, there is a charity doubles tournament at the Albany Club, starting at 11am. This will be to raise money for the Wirral Junior bowlers and for a cancer charity.

Entry is £6 per pair and all the entry money will be used as the prize money.

There is a limited entry of 32 pairs and players wishing to enter should contact Lesley Anderson on 201 2243 before 5pm on Friday.

Also taking place next Saturday on the green at Royden Hall is the final of the Dr. Dawson Victory Cup Tournament. This is between Gladstone and Tixalls and the match starts at 2pm.