IN contrast to the last few weeks the final of the Flyers Tournament in Birkenhead Park this Sunday was between two Wirral bowlers, Tixall's Matt Gilmore and New Brighton Quarry Viking's Phil Vaughan.

At the end of the game it was Gilmore who took the top prize.

To reach the final Gilmore could hardly have had two more difficult opponents; he beat Ray Lynch of Gladstone in the quarters and then just edged Dave McDermott in the semi final.

Vaughan had a really close game with Dougie Briscoe in the quarter finals before having a convincing win in the semis over Hoylake Central's Tom Walker.

In the final Gilmore always had a slight lead but he was never able to relax as Vaughan played his part in an excellent final.

This win takes Gilmore to the top of the points table pushing Mick Andrews into second place.

Results:

Quarter-finals: D. McDermott 21, J. Roberts 12; M. Gilmore 21, R. Lynch 14; T. Walker 21, J. Jones 20; P. Vaughan 21, D. Briscoe 18.

Semi-finals: Gilmore 21, McDermott 18; Vaughan 21, Walker 09. Final: Gilmore 21, Vaughan 15.

It is my sad duty to have to report the passing of Geoff Lynch Snr who, for more than 40 years, was one of the real characters of the game of Crown Green Bowls in Wirral.

He won trophies as an individual player and he captained the Kings team to great success in the 1980s. He will be sorely missed by his family and all those who knew him.

The funeral will be at Landican Cemetery on Friday, February 27 at 12.30pm.

There is to be a meeting for players who have been involved, and also those who would like to be involved, in the Wallasey CGBA Federation Team.

The meeting will be to discuss the forthcoming 2015 season. It will be held at the Manor Road Club on Wednesday, February 18, starting at 7.30pm