Leadbeater and Batiste lift maiden titles at 70

IT'S year of the pensioner for island bowls. Don Batiste won his first island men's singles title at the age of 70 and yet found himself outshone by a player even older and producing one of the shock scorelines in the long history of championship finals day.

It was not just that Pauline Leadbeater, 71, beat Alison Merrien to win the de Putron women's singles - it was the way the Vale Rec veteran went about it.

Merrien, who has played all around the world and developed a reputation as one of the finest women players anywhere, indoors or out, was thrashed 21-4.

Few could believe it, including the two finalists and the match marker, Garry Collins.

'I've never seen Pauline play so well,' was his verdict.

The new champion agreed and was shocked to have won.

'I didn't even think I could win, but that's the best I've ever played.'

Merrien had no excuses.

'She was playing very well in what was her third game of the day,' said the Guernsey number one.

'I didn't find the line at all.

'It was very heavy and I didn't find the same line as she did,' Merrien added.

Collins had expected to oversee another Merrien triumph, but was well aware of Leadbeater's capabilities.

'She has been a very good bowler for a while. To win seven out of seven semi-finals must be a record.

'Pauline dominated and everything that Alison did Pauline turned over. Alison tried to change the mat length, but full or short she could not shake her.'

Leadbeater's triumph was her third of the first day of the finals weekend and, after a night's, sleep she was to make it four trophies out of four the following morning when she partnered Wilma Le Feuvre to a 21-14 Brookman Pairs win over Sally Tranter and Gwen de la Mare.

But the dream of a clean sweep was ended in the early afternoon drizzle, when she lost in the Bell Team decider.

In contrast to Leadbeater, Batiste had looked set for a tough time when he slipped 11-4 behind to his North clubmate Ricky Nash in the main men's final for the Elliott Trophy.

'I was struggling early on and it took me a while to find it,' said the new champion, who gradually eased back into the match to level at 11-11 and then forge 17-11 ahead.

Nash got back to within three at 17-14 and then produced a stunning match-saver at 20-14 down.

With his opponent holding two and Nash grasping his last bowl, the former policeman fired the jack into the ditch to win two himself and keep the match alive. But on the 24th end it was over.

Batiste suspected he was holding shot with just his final bowl to come and although he failed to get closer, the marker's tape confirmed his suspicion and Nash warmly offered his hand in congratulation.

'The drizzle spoiled the game and the rink was playing funny tricks,' said Nash, whose consolation was a victory in the Smithard over-60 singles.

Among the other highlights was a 21-15 win for Matt Le Ber over Dan de la Mare in the Bell under-25 singles final to complete a hat-trick of successes in one of the British Isles qualifying competitions.