Cloud and drizzle welcomed 72 players to Bungay Bowls Club on Sunday to compete for the C A Payne Property Maintenance Triples Shield.

The 24 triples were divided into two qualifying groups and each would play three games of 10 ends to determine the finalists.

Only two triples won both their opening matches in the first qualifying group. One of those from Oulton Broad, comprising Alan Buck, David Stow and Don Brearley won their third game 13-10 to head the group as their nearest rivals from the Beeches club of Kevin and Neil Day playing with Alfie Broughton lost 12-7.

This meant they and three other triples, who had also won two games, would only get into the third-place final based on shot difference.

The Bungay triple of Doug Skilling, Keith Brown and Bob Plumb were declared runners-up by having a better shot difference of five over their opponents.

Four triples won both their opening two games, but only two continued with their winning ways in the third game. In the end the two winning triples were separated by a shot difference of two as Bungay’s Philip Wright, Keith Patrick and Richard Brinded edged out Norwich Union’s Ron Mitchell, Trevor Burton and Ian Bishop for a place in the final.

Rain meant the finals were reduced to eight ends. In a closely fought third-place final Doug’s novice finalists narrowly beat Ron Mitchell’s trio.

Alan Buck’s renowned accuracy with fast running shots and a spot of luck meant the final ended early as Phil’s trio conceded after six ends.

It was Alan’s and Don’s second tournament win of the season at Bungay having previously won a tournament staged in May.

Keith Patrick thanked all those who had helped in organising and running the tournament while sponsor Chris Payne presented the prizes.

The final tournament of the season at Bungay is the Waveney Windows Triples on Sunday, August 9. Entries from Ian Gosling 01986 892982 or emailing via the club website at bungaybowlsclub.co.uk.

In the Suffolk Bowls England Millennium Trophy Bungay won at Stowmarket Rookery 4-1 and now meet Framlingham or Marlborough in the last eight.