World Indoor Championships - Final Day

Sunday 26^th January

It’s finals day. Mervyn King from Norfolk took on Darren Burnett from Arbroath in a thrilling final.

This morning we had a Potters Leisure Resort Champion of Champions which I umpired. Throughout the season players from all over the country play in a fours competition at Potters. The final is played on the portable rink on the final day of the World Championships. In this years match, Bassetlaw Bowls Club from Yorkshire played Colchester Bowls Club from Essex. All players mastered the tricky portable rink quite well and the match went to an extra end after a 6-6 draw at 8 ends. Bassetlaw scored 1 on the extra end to secure the win.

Sandra, Bryan and I ready
for the 2014 World Final

Before lunch I had time to relax and start packing. I will be driving home after the Gala Dinner tonight. Mike Davies left this morning feeling unwell. We all wish him a speedy recovery. A light lunch was in order today prior to the final. The food at Potters is superb and there is so much available. It is difficult to resist as you can probably tell from the additional weight I am carrying on the rink. Diet starts tomorrow!!

Prior to the World Final the spectators start queuing early and by the time we arrive to start the pre-match checks, the line is already streaming through the Bowlers Bar in to the reception and back. The Potters Theatre Company put on a little show on the rink for about 30 minutes before the match starts. The crowd get warmed up and the atmosphere is fantastic. Shaun Williamson did a 5 minute comedy slot followed by a fantastic rendition of “Something Inside So Strong”. Butterflies and Adrenaline start to kick in and I tend to hide away in a corner until I am needed about 5 minutes before the match starts.

Shaun Williamson paid us a visit

There was an amazing atmosphere and the noise was deafening when both players nailed the jack. Mervyn won the first set and although not quite playing the same exceptional standard that he did in the Semi-final, he persisted with the draw shot whilst Darren was chasing shots. In a very tight second set it was all square going into the final end. Tension was rising and Darren just managed to win it on a measure. The tie break was electric and there were a couple of occasions where I had to quieten the crowd as the player stepped on the mat. When they are playing to the shot clock it’s important to maintain some control so they do not get disturbed. Darren finally lifted the title of World Indoor Bowls Champion 2014. I was very happy with the way I marked the game which is a great confidence booster.

Following the match us officials cleared all the rink equipment away ready for the next tournament, gave each other a hug (we do that now and again!!) and got ready for the Gala Dinner.

I hope you have enjoyed reading these blogs and they have given you a bit of an insight into what a World Bowls Tour Official does during the biggest tournament on the Bowls calendar.

Feel free to send me any comments or questions and I will do my best to answer them.

Bye Bye from Potters Leisure Resort.