BRIGHT sunny weather greeted 22 teams in the President's Shield three-wood triples tournament at Bungay Bowls Club last Sunday.Divided into two qualifying groups, each team would play three qualifying games with the first placed each group heading for the grand final, whilst the runners-up would compete for third place.

BRIGHT sunny weather greeted 22 teams in the President's Shield three-wood triples tournament at Bungay Bowls Club last Sunday.

Divided into two qualifying groups, each team would play three qualifying games with the first placed each group heading for the grand final, whilst the runners-up would compete for third place.

With just one qualify game to play in the first group five triples were on contention for a finals place with shot difference expected to be the key. Two of those triples faced each other in their last match. Michael Watson and Derek Barley (Sparrows Nest) playing with Robin Turner (Waveney) scored a four on the final end to beat group rivals George Howes (Mettingham), Pat Skelly (Waveney) and Peter Nunn (Bungay) by a single shot and improve their shot difference to +17.

Bob Norman and Bob Wright (Mettingham) playing with David Snowling (Beccles Caxton) won their last game 8-7 to remain unbeaten and with a shot difference of +22.

Last year winning entrant, Peter Hurren, playing with Blundeston teammates Ralph Kippen and Kim Dyer won 14-6 to also remain unbeaten and with a shot difference of +24. Though Peter's triple had improved from third to second in the group the Caxton trio of John Hogwood, Trevor and Maureen Wright took first place by winning 19-6 and giving them a shot difference of +34.

In the other group just three triples had 100 percent records with a game to play. After losing the first end Grenville Wright and Mick Battle, playing with Jack Newnham (Laxfield) took control of the game to win 12-5 against another unbeaten triple of Valerie Pryke, Brian Pryke and Paul Hazelwood of Trimley to increase their shot difference to +26.

The other unbeaten triple from Costsessy Crown of Ray Lutkin, John Arthur and Reg Harvey had a poor start to their final game before recovering to lead 12-7 with an end to go. Though they dropped a three they still remain unbeaten and took the runners-up position in the group.

In the match for third place Peter Hurren's triple led 7-4 after seven of the ten ends before dropping a five, a two and a single on the last three ends to give Ray Lutkins's triple third place.

Grenville Wright's triple started with a seven against John Hogwwods's triple and led 12- 4 at the half-way point. John's triple fought back and John's last wood on the penultimate end made two shots to keep them in with a chance of winning, though they would need a score of eight! In the end they only scored a single and had to settle for the runners-up up position.

Bungay's Barbara Wortley presented the prizes to the finalist and Bungay chairman Dominic Belisario thanked all those who had helped make the day such a success.

Last Friday Bungay pulled off a major surprise as they beat area favourites Kessingland in the quarter final of the Suffolk EBF Senior Cup at Bungay. Bungay seemed well in control of the match until the last quarter where Kessingland got to within three shots of Bungay. However, the home team held their nerve to hold on to the lead and win by 70 shots to 65. Bungay will play either Halesworth or Lowestoft Railway in the semi-finals at Bungay tonight.