Hit Men endured agonising wait before being crowned

A DRAMATIC last end in the last game of the HSBC Guernsey Open Fours Bowls Tournament saw Hit Men emerge as winners of the event. Remarkably the match did not feature them and, in fact, they were sitting rather nervously among the spectators watching the spectacular events unfold.

Hit Men had completed their programme of games and, having finished fifth in the qualifying stages, had a bye for the final session. Mariners' Inn were playing Rebels and Rabble were against Vultures.

Hit Men had five points from two wins and a draw. Mariner's Inn had four points from two wins and Rebels three points from one win and a draw. Hit Men had a shot difference of plus seven.

The possibilities were almost endless. If Mariners' Inn won, they took the title, Hit Men would be second, Rabble would be third (if they won their game with Vultures) and Rebels would be fourth. If Rebels won by seven or more shots they would win the event, Hit Men would be second and Mariners' Inn third. If Rebels won by less than seven, Hit Men would win the tournament, Rebels would be second and Mariners' Inn third.

Dramatically, the Rebels side of Mike Le Noury, Peter Harris, Steve Le Noury and John Wallis went into the last end seven shots up against Steve Desperques, ex-England under-25 international captain Lucy Beere, Neal Mollett and Matt Le Ber.

Rebels had the edge in the drawing department and, thanks to Mike Le Noury and Harris, held a few shots. Mollett played a devastating drive and killed the end.

Signal for a replayed end and events appeared to be unfolding in favour of the Rebels when again they held shot after the first two players from each team had completed their deliveries.

Cue a drive from Mollett, which missed its target, Steve Le Noury added a positional bowl and although the situation seemed pretty hopeless Le Ber requested Mollett to drive at a pack of short bowls to kill the end.

He did so with immense power, scattered the head and the jack went out of play again - end to be replayed once more.

Mike Le Noury drew well to the almost full-length jack, but Lucy Beere rescued her team by taking shot.

Harris, who had played increasingly well in this exalted company, trailed the jack several feet to make shot for Rebels.

Beere attempted to retrieve shot but narrowly failed and Harris played a brilliant bowl to run the jack into the ditch.

Harris galloped up the rink after his bowl - it was obvious to all that he was on target - and he duly ran the bowl into the ditch meaning that Mariners' Inn could not kill the end.

Lady luck could have been kinder to Harris and the Rebels because his red bowl could have stayed next to the jack in the ditch, which would have ensured that they had the shot that they needed, but bowl and jack finished about four feet apart.

That left the Mariners' Inn side needing to draw within four feet of the edge of the ditch without falling in.

Steve Le Noury for Rebels and Neal Mollett for Mariners' Inn attempted the feat, but it could not be certain who lay shot until Matt Le Ber drew to within two feet of the ditch.

Wallis was a little overweight with his first attempt and Le Ber drew another, again some two feet away and a little wider than his first bowl.

Crucially Wallis had to beat these two bowls to take first prize. It looked very much on course and the weight was perfect.

However, the line was always going to be tricky to judge, as the jack was also displaced from the middle of the rink and, sadly for Wallis and the Rebels, although the weight was good, the green bowl bent just a little too much and Mariners' Inn were left with two shots.

Rebels had beaten Mariners' Inn by five shots and therefore finished on equal points with Hit Men, but with a shot difference of plus five compared to Dan de la Mare's team, who had one of plus seven.

So de la Mare, Shaun Bichard, Will Ceillam and Kris Bichard, who had been assisted earlier in the tournament by Ricky Brehaut and Lianna Bichard, were presented with the HSBC Guernsey Open trophy and a first prize of £1,200 after over 40 hours of high quality competitive bowls.

Rebels took second, Mariners' Inn were third and Rabble took fourth after securing an emphatic 18-7 victory over Vultures with Irishman Colin Smith at lead, Scotsman Ian Glen at second, local bowler Dave Lock at third and Belfast-resident Scotsman Michael Merritt at skip all performing well in their final game of the week.

De la Mare in particular had an outstanding week of bowls and was hoping that he and pairs partner Kris Bichard would maintain their form for their British Isles adventure in early March.

In the consolation group The Good Guys from Bath and local side Head Hunters were level on points with three wins apiece as they went into their deciding match and amazingly this match finished 12-all as Len Bretel's side took two shots on the last end.

However, this was not enough to prevent the visitors taking the £75 consolation prize on shot difference with plus 27 compared to plus five.

Tiger Sharks sneaked four on the last end to take victory over Midas 19-18 to finish third in this group.

All in all a great week of bowls with final results decided on the last end of the last game with so many possible outcomes.

The Guernsey Indoor Bowling Association is hoping to attract similar sponsorship to hold the event next year as feedback from the visiting players has been better than ever and indications are that more visiting players will be across to the island next year.