ANOTHER lovely sunny morning in Birkenhead Park saw the return to winning ways of a player who has for some time been one of the most successful bowlers in the Winter Flyers.

When Jamie Fitzpatrick took the first prize by beating The Lever Club's Dave Motley Jnr it was good to see the Tixall player back in contention.

In the quarter-final Fitzpatrick had a fairly comfortable win against The Magazine's Andy Buchanan but he was made to struggle all the way in the semi, only pipping Kendal's Colin Portis by the closest of margins.

Motley also had a fairly comfortable win in the quarters before also having to battle all the way against Kings 2000's Mark Myles in his semi final match.

Fitzpatrick always had the edge in the final and took it 21-15.

Result:

Quarter-finals: J Fitzpatrick 21, A Buchanan 12; C Portis 21, P Smith 15; D Motley Jnr 21, T Cavanagh 12; M Myles 21, T Walker 19.

Semi-finals: Fitzpatrick 21, Portis 20; Motley 21, Myles 18.

Final: Fitzpatrick 21, Motley 15.

The annual Pensby Triples Tournament also enjoyed the sunny conditions last Sunday.

After an excellent morning's play the final was won by the very strong grouping of Jackie Butterworth, Anthony O'Neill and Ian Hazlehurst.

Results: Semi-finals: J Pepper, R Walters and J McDermott 21, T Bates, E Dutton and R Hodgson 12; J Butterworth, A O'Neill and I.Hazlehurst 21, G Greenfield, N Hughes and J Hignett Jnr 12. Final: Butterworth, O'Neill and Hazlehurst 21, Pepper, Walters and McDermott 10.

Club Secretaries have now got entry forms for the tournament which for some time has heralded the start of the local bowls calendar; the Wirral and District Charity Handicap (formerly the Mayor's Handicap) which this year is supporting Claire House.

The first qualifying night is Monday, April 16, with a possible return on Wednesday, April 18, play getting under way on both evenings at 6.15pm.

The final will be on Saturday, April 21, at Pensby Bowling Club, at 2pm.