Bowls: New Bodelwyddan green given the thumbs up

Jun 11 2009 by Our Correspondent, North Wales Weekly News

SIXTEEN of Britain’s top crown green bowlers, including John Bailey from Llanrwst, descended on Bodelwyddan Castle for the first major event on the new £130,000 all-weather green.

Kendal’s Martin Gilpin beat Lancashire’s Simon Coupe in the final of the inaugural Warner Leisure Hotels Invitation Classic.

After a standard 21-10 win over Bailey in the quarters Gilpin looked to have blown his chances in the semi final going 1-12 down to Ant Aldridge.

But he picked up the block and played full corners brilliantly to win 13 of the next 15 ends to take the match 21-16.

Coupe eased his way to the semis with a regulation 21-16 win over Wrexham’s Kevin Nicholas and resisted Danny Barwise (Liverpool) before taking the quarter final 21-18.

He then proved too strong for Ian Nicholson in the semi, running out the 21-13 winner.

The final saw Gilpin race to a 19-9 lead before Coupe upped his game. But Gilpin dug deep to finish the match 21-17.

“This has been a fabulous event for all the players,” said Gilpin. “The setting is magnificent and the superb hotel facilities are something we don’t usually come across on the competition circuit.”

RESULTS FIRST ROUND: Danny Barwise (Liverpool) beat Tommy Johnstone (Warrington) 21-16, Simon Coupe (Hoghton) beat Kevin Nicholas (Wrexham) 21-16, Gary Wallis (Doncaster) beat Lee Lawton (Lower Hopton) 21-14, Ian Nicholson (Kendal) beat Mike Tunstall (Liverpool) 21-6, Martin Gilpin (Kendal) beat Callum Wraight (Castlefields) 21-15, John Bailey (Llanwrst) beat Chris Brown (Woodlands) 21-20, Andy Cairns (Rawtenstall) beat Matt Bower (Jump Welfare – Sheffield) 21-19, Ant Aldridge (Woodfield) beat Nichola Boulton (Frodsham) 21-5.

QUARTER FINALS: Simon Coupe beat Danny Barwise 21-18, Ian Nicholson beat Gary Wallis 21-19, Martin Gilpin beat John Bailey 21-10, Ant Aldridge beat Andy Cairns 21-16.

SEMI-FINALS: Coupe beat Nicholson 21-13, Gilpin beat Aldridge 21-16.

FINAL: Martin Gilpin beat Simon Coupe 21-17.