The Coco Club near Ban Ampur held its annual singles lawn bowling competition over three days from 29-31 May.
The 32 players representing Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Pattaya in Thailand, plus England, Scotland, Holland and Australia were all keen to get started. The draw made as the players arrived and produced 4 leagues with probably the three most fancied players in the same league.
The first game in League A pitched last year’s winner Darren against Frank – a former Dutch champion, with Darren just edging the match 8-6. The second fixture featured Frank and Dennis, both former champions, and they shared the soils with a 6-6 result. Vinai needed points and managed to overcome Darren 7-6 to climb back into contention.
Winners and runners-up pose with their medals.
League B saw two Thai players, Eng, a former number one, playing Num, probably the best player last year, and with a 9-4 victory Eng was showing signs of his previous top form. Meanwhile ladies On and Yong were quietly making challenges of their own to make the quarter-final spots.
League C was also fiercely contested and the final round-robin match saw Thong defeat Bus 7-6 but with both still going through to the quarters thanks to their earlier results.
League D was a little more decisive, with Go winning and Dennis (2) getting the points, but new lady star Nid pushed them all the way.
After the quarters and semis knockout rounds we were left with Eng facing off against Darren in the final. Eng put up a brave fight but Darren had his eye in and managed to win 12-5 and take the title for the second year in succession.
In total 119 matches were played and over 950 ends of bowls. Without one dispute or argument it was a real testament to the temperament of the players.
A newly designed trophy for Coco Club was presented with medals and it all ended with a super buffet, sing-a-long and the winners sharing the 22,000 baht prize money.
