The 2025 P&D Champion of Champions Tournament was held, as usual, at the P&D’s President’s Club on Priory BC’s green at Milton Park over the Weekend of 6th & 7th September

First of All, we’d like to thank and pass our appreciation to the Ladies at Priory for Feeding and Supplying Beverages to all the Players, Spectators and Officials over the course of the Weekend.

It was also a disappointment that only 14 Club Champions turned up but at least it made the P&D Competitions Sec’s Job Easier in that there would be only 2 Rounds to be played on the Saturday, with 2 Champs getting straight into the Round of 8.

To ensure there were no claims of Bias, a “Blind Draw” was made for rinks before the Round of 16 was started.

Round of 16

• Alexandra’s Don Lilley finally got through a Tough Game with Naismith’s Kelvin Chandler 21-17
• After their match had been level 10all after 13ends, Graham Nicholson [Emsworth] got the better of Gosport’s Simon Batcheler 21-13 8ends later.
• After a close start, Waverley’s Harry Biggs took over in his game against Leigh Park’s Barry Dixon to run out 21-9 victor
• The shock of the day was Rowner’s Phil Pinder 21-8 win over Priory’s Martin Eggleton on his Favorite Rink!!
• After a “Too-And-Fro” start on the 1st 10 ends, Cosham Park’s Brian Buist took control of his match against Pembroke Gardens’ Andy Birbeck to run out 21-11 Winner
  • “One in the Eye for my Club Mates” was Brian’s Post Match Comment
• In the Final match in the round, Hayling Island’s Mark Pearson found the pace of the rink much more to his liking than Purbrook Heath’s Paul Doggett to run out 21-14 winner

Round of 8

• After his battle in the previous Round, Don Lilley had an easier time against Graham Nicholson, with a 21-6 Win.
• Phil Pinder had a much tougher match with Harry Biggs, finally getting through 21-18 after 22ends
• Obviously Mark Pearson was finding Priory’s Green Much to his liking as he trounced Brian Buist
  • “Took too much out of myself proving the doubter’s wrong” was Brian’s Post Match Comment
• The Final match was the one between the 2 who had sat out the Round of 16 and it was Denmead’s Mike Wright who got to grips of the rink better than Fareham’s Derek Powell, running out 21-11 winner but it took 24ends!!

So, the 4 Victors packed their bags and fought the Traffic getting out of Portsmouth and made plans of how to the delays the next day [Isn’t wonderful how planners decide to almost shut down the 3 Roads into Pompey on the same weekend!!!!)

Finals Day

Semi-Finals

• It was a real scrap between Don Lilley and Phil Pinder in the 1st Semi, that Don must have thought he’d won when he was 20-15 up after 21ends. But Phil is always a Tough Cookie and he proved it by winning the next 4 ends to take the match 21-20 after 25ends
• In the 2nd Semi between Mike Wright and Mark Pearson, the 1st 9 ends were even, with Mark holding a 1 shot lead 8-7. Mike then made his greater experience with “Pressure” Bowls Games tell as he took control to win 21-13 after 17 ends

So, there would be a new name on the Trophy as neither had reached this stage before.

Final

After a decent break to allow both bowlers to refresh, it was Phil who took the 1st 5 ends to lead 7 zip. Mike then picked up a 4 and after 13 ends, Phil led 11-10. Picking up a 3 on the next looked to have turned it Phil’s way again, but Mike picked up 7shots on the next 3 ends to lead 17-14, the 1st time he’d been in front the whole match. Unfortunately for him, he lost his line, Phil regained his and 3 ends later took the Title 21-17

It had been an enthralling match to watch.

Congratulations to Phil, Commiserations to Mike.

And they would both be at it again next weekend in the Men’s Finals

Dave Wildman