Roy Freeman Club Championship Saturday 26th July 2008

The 2008 Roy Freeman Club Championship started with its best turnout in nine years. 25 entries in all matching the turnout in 1999. 16 entries had first team experience, 6 were Oldbury 'B' players and there was an unexpected entry from Steve Blakeman.

1st Round

18 names were drawn for Round 1 with 7 players getting a bye through to Round 2. Darren Griffiths opened up an 11-1 lead helping him to a 21-11 victory over Steve Blakeman. Siblings faced each other as Melissa Gurdas recovered from 6-11 to beat her brother Cameron 21-16. Last years finalist Malcolm Spencer came up against tough opposition in Paul Newman who won 21-14. John Hardman's start of 10-2 was the difference as he beat Marc Hadley Jnr 21-14. Keith Lawlor had eight 2's in his first round win over Alliance Captain Denise Killion (21-11). Andy Calvert led Mark Nemedi 12-9 only for Nemo to produce a break of 12 to run out 21-12. Keith Underhill made light work of John Capewell 21-8. Terry Jones led Jonathan Blakeman 9-7 but only scored another 3 shots. John Wilson had the best of the first rounds scores beating Sam Fagan 21-7.

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2nd Round

First games in the second round saw six of the 'byes' in action. Diane Kazmierowski and Lynne Lawlor drew each other in an Oldbury 'B' clash with Diane the winner 21-8. Joe Wilson in his first season led Mark Healey 15-8 only for Scooby to come back and win 21-18. There was a repeat of last years Handicap Final as Marc Wilson and Dan Chilton drew each other for the third time in competitions. Dan took a lead of 14-8 with Marc battling back to 17-19, Dan Chilton the eventual winner 21-18. Mark Hadley Snr had the longest wait as last years Champion played the 2006 runner up John Wilson. One of the tighter games, Cads led 15-14 with Wils then finding form to win 21-16.

The top half of the draw were now into there second game in round two. Darren Griffiths again opened up a healthy lead (12-0) as Melissa Gurdas eventually managed to score 8. Paul Newman and John Hardman's game ebbed and flowed with Gaps leading 14-8 and John then coming back to lead 17-15. Paul Newman winning 21-19 in what was the day's closest game so far. Keith Lawlor dropped on a mark to create a commanding 18-2 lead over Mark Nemedi. Tiger went on to win 21-6, which was to be the best card in the competition. Keith Underhill led Jonathan Blakeman for most the game 10-4, 13-9 and 16-15 with Blakey just finding enough shots to scrape through to the quarter finals 21-18.

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Quarter Finals

Two early favourites and experienced Broomfield bowlers faced each other in the first quarter final. Darren Griffiths (Club Champion 1991 & 2001) played Paul Newman (Champion in 2003) and it was Paul who did well early doors with a lead of 11-3. Sumo won the second half of the game 18-5 to book himself a semi final place in his first Championship since 2002. Jonathan Blakeman had the luck at the start of the game against Keith Lawlor but the game was still close at 9-8. Jonathan then finding a break of 12 on the gulley to win 21-8. Dan Chilton was always in control in a 21-7 victory over Diane Kazmierowski. John Wilson now looking favourite in the bottom half beat Mark Healey 21-11.

Semi Final

Jonathan Blakeman led Darren Griffiths 7-1 in the first semi final, then keeping Sumo to 1's to eventually win 21-11. Sumo feeling the heat in his fourth game of the day. Dan Chilton established a 15-9 lead over John Wilson and certainly looked likely to make it to the final. Although the game stood level at 19-19 it was John's five 2's in nine ends that did for Chilli. John Wilson through to the final for the second time.

Final

The final saw two players who were by now into their fifth game. Jonathan Blakeman won the toss for the fourth time in the day but it was without doubt John Wilson who started the game as favourite. Wils won the first end only for Jonathan to produce the days highest break of 14. As in the quarter and semi finals Blakey stuck to the gulley. Four 2's in five ends got Wils back to 13-17. Two successive 2's followed for Blakey making it a total of nine in the final and winning 21-13.

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