MANY past members gathered to watch the club’s most prolific winner, Paul Sigsworth, celebrate the Griffin Bowling Club’s 40th anniversary with yet another success.

Generously sponsored by Griffin stalwart Gerald Sykes, who provided commemorative medals for the finalists, the competition lasted nine hours and finished with a 21-15 victory for Sigsworth in the final against Brian Morley.

Along the way, Sigsworth defeated Yorkshire county colleagues Steve Hirst (preliminary round) and Ashley Daykin (21-9 in the semi-finals) and said he was delighted to win the landmark event.

In his semi-final, the in-form Morley defeated Ronnie Wormald 21-16.

Sigsworth thanked Sykes for his sponsorship and also for his work and dedication to the Griffin for over 30 years.

He said that sort of attitude and affinity to the club was what made the Griffin special and while it remains the premier club for winter bowling.

Griffin president Alan Hirst thanked Gary of the Junction Inn, greenkeeper Eddie Haigh, club caterers Sarah and Robbie and sponsor Sykes.

RESULTS, First round – JD Wright 21 D Walkden 9, T Holmes 12 B Morley 21, E Haigh 21 M Wood 15, R Wormald 21 R Sutton 14, P Ramsden 19 R Mudd 21, A Daykin 21 M Bramall 9, F Greenwood 21 R Whitwam 8, W Dews 18 P Sigsworth 21.

Quarter-finals – B Morley 21 JD Wright 12, R Wormald 21 E Haigh 19, A Daykin 21 R Mudd 13, P Sigsworth 21 F Greenwood 12.

Semi-finals – B Morley 21 R Wormald 16, P Sigsworth 21 A Daykin 9.

Final – P Sigsworth 21 B Morley 15.

The Non-Winners Competition is on Sunday (10.30am), and is sponsored by Schofield Metal Merchants. The winner will take home £160 from a prize fund of £420 and a place in the Champion of Champions final on Easter Sunday, which is the final competition of the winter season.

Draw (odds in brackets) – G Sykes (100) v G McMahon (12), G Senior (14) v D Hartley, S Fisher (3) v W Higgins (100), K Midwood (33) v P Conneely (100), S Pollard (40) v G Woodruff (40), T Holmes (20) v R Mudd (6), R Mozley (16) v JD Wright (16), B Walsh (66) v A Hirst (100), P Kain (7/2) v D Woodruff (66), B Tinker (100) v P Ramsden (25), S McMahon (100) v M Wood (16), D Beeby (10) v J Ollerenshaw (40), M Bramall (6) v D Rae (40), R Brook (6), v H Ellis (50), S Gilroy (16) v R Whitwam (25), J Abbott (66) v D Reeves (8).