CONDITIONS were ideal for the Pensby mixed pairs tournament played on Saturday.

At the end of a good day's bowling the winners were the Welsh pairing of Viv Roberts and Neil Snodgrass, who beat Nikki Gilmore and Chris Barton in the final.

To reach the final Roberts and Snodgrass, previous winners of this tournament, beat "homesters".

Kath Davies and Dave Smart in their semi-final match while Gilmore and Barton got through against Linda Williams and Ritchie Jamieson.

The final was a close game which could have gone either way, but Roberts and Snodgrass finally got through with a 21-18 win to take the top prize.

Unfortunately, the conditions were not nearly as good for the Wallasey Association's Annual Charity match the following day as two teams battled for the George Gilmore Memorial Trophy.

Nevertheless, despite the cold, wet conditions all those taking part thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and, most importantly, raised £1,370 for the chosen charity, Wirral Hospice St Johns.

The Melrose Ladies team based in Hoylake are celebrating a great year of success.

They have completed a treble of trophies winning the Birkenhead and Wirral Ladies League 'A' Division (again), the Birkenhead, Wallasey and Wirral Ladies Rose Bowl Competition and the Merseyside Club Championship.

They can be justifiably proud of their achievements.

Though the evening season is just about over there is still a month to go of the Afternoon Veterans season.

In the Birkenhead and Wirral Afternoon League first division Higher Tranmere Vets look odds on favourites to retain their title with Manor Road and Heswall RBL vying for second spot.

While Heswall RBL 'B' lead the way in the second division, the third division is wide open with four teams, Wallasey RBL, Royden Hall, Bromborough Pool and Tixall 'B', all in with a chance of finishing first.

Upton Victory Hall 'B' and Magazine 'B' will be battling to see who wins the fourth division and in division five Harrison Park 'C' are the favourites.

The finals of the two knock out tournament will be played later this month.

The final of the Shield between Higher Tranmere Vets and Harrison Park will take place this Friday and the final of the Centenary Cup between Heswall RBL and Capenhurst is a week on Friday, September 15.

The popular Winter Flyers Tournaments resume in Birkenhead Park on Sunday, September 24.

As usual they start at 10am.

Players of all abilities welcome.