New name on Over-80's KO Trophy

Veterans League

New age-qualified Roger Lunn won the Veterans League Over-80's competition at Waterloo on Friday. He beat the perpetual finalist, Gordon Walker, 21-17 in the Final. This was the 5th Final appearance for Kirkheaton Con bowler Gordon having won it once in those five Finals. It was to be Roger's day having beaten another regular winner of this competition, 92 years old Frank Greenwood, 21-15 in the semi-final. This was Frank's fourth Finals Day appearance having won it three times before.

On a very fast brown green at Waterloo which produced a lengthy competition with the Julie Fuller Trophy team Final played in between the two legs of the Over-80's as is the norm. What wasn't normal was the four hours it took to complete the three rounds of the afternoon's playing time. That was primarily the fast green producing a long competition with the woods seeming to roll forever after the slightest of initial pushes. That also produced its fair share of woods ending in the gutter to prolong proceedings even more.

For the bowlers, this made a tricky green difficult to play on, for the spectator it made riviting match play bowling. In the semi-finals Waterloo bowler Roger also seemed to be just out of reach ahead of the three-time winner (2018, 2021 & 2022) Frank Greenwood and that is how it ended with Roger winning 21-15. The other semi-final seemed destined to go to Netherton Con veteran Dennis Garner. He was quick out the blocks to lead 9-2 before Gordon Walker pulled him back to 11-across to swap alternate ends before Dennis established a 19-17 lead. Gordon rescued the situation to make is 20-across before pipping the final end and a fifth appearance in the Final for the Kirkheaton Con veteran.

The Final was becoming a copy of the semi-final for Gordon as he was always behind, culminating in a 17-19 deficit score once again but this time Roger was up for the challenge to collect two points at the final end and a 21-17 winning score and a first title. A thoroughly entertaining day of bowling once again.

A word about the day's referee Ray Tunnacliffe, who is age-qualified to play in this competition. Ray provides his services for the Veterans League free of charge, he really enjoys being part of these special days for veteran bowlers, but some days the matches take longer than expected. This was one of those days as the combined day of the Julie Fuller Trophy Final and two rounds of the Over-80's resulted in a 4-hour session ending at 5.30pm with Ray on the green all that time clearing up some matters and explaining the rulings with clarity and patience to the bowlers. The matchday referee and excellent free match programme produced by Paul English all contributed towards a special day for all the finalists.

The four Over-80's semi-finalists, along with referee Ray Tunnacliffe holding the trophy.