Derek Knight Flying High at Southport B Level (by Tony Thomas, 25/07/11)

Players came from as far apart as Scotland, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire and Warwickshire. The sun was bright, although the lawns were a little heavy and play took place to the accompanying roar of aircraft as the Southport Airshow tumbled and swooped overhead. The B Level Advanced is an open tournament for individuals with a handicap of between 2 and 8, and has been held at Southport for many years. The beautiful trophy is dedicated to the memory Ena and May Hawkins, who were leading members of the club in the 1970s. Southport members Barbara Haslam and Don Williamson came joint second, along with Brian Christmas of Shrewsbury. However, the honours and the trophy were carried off by Derek Knight of Beverley, winning five out of the six games played and reducing his handicap to 4.5. In spite of the noise and interruptions, players enjoyed the air-show, Derek saying it added to a very enjoyable competition and he is determined to return next year and defend his trophy. Results: Brian Christmas beat Fergus McInnes +1T; Dennis Graham beat Cliff Daniel +9T; Derek Knight beat Don Williamson +7T; Peter Moore beat Adrian Morris +17; Barbara Haslam beat Tony Thomas +7T; Brian Christmas beat Dennis Graham +6; Derek Knight beat Peter Moore +16; Barbara Haslam beat Fergus McInnes +1T; Don Williamson beat Cliff Daniel +7T; Tony Thomas beat Adrian Morris +16; Derek Knight beat Brian Christmas +3T; Don Williamson beat Barbara Haslam +3T; Dennis Graham beat Tony Thomas +9; Fergus McInnes beat Peter Moore +1T; Adrian Morris beat Cliff Daniel +19; Derek Knight beat Barbara Haslam +3T; Brian Christmas beat Don Williamson +12; Adrian Morris beat Dennis Graham +25; Peter Moore beat Tony Thomas +14T; Fergus McInnes beat Cliff Daniel +8T; Dennis Graham beat Derek Knight +2T; Barbara Haslam beat Brian Christmas +11T; Don Williamson beat Peter Moore +17; Fergus McInnes beat Adrian Morris +17; Tony Thomas beat Cliff Daniel +7T; Derek Knight beat Fergus McInnes +14; Don Williamson beat Dennis Graham +21; Brian Christmas beat Tony Thomas +1; Barbara Haslam beat Adrian Morris +6T; Peter Moore beat Cliff Daniel +17.

Terry Vernazza Wins Southport Jubilee Handicap (by Tony Thomas 29/05/11)

In a nail biting finish the weekend Jubilee Handicap reached its conclusion with a head to head contest between Terry Vernazza from Fylde and Tony Thomas of Southport. The match finished even, with both players on Peg and Rover, forcing the match to continue for the ‘golden hoop’. Both players hammered out chances which entertained the watching crowd, until Terry edged ahead to win the trophy. Despite the driving rain, strong winds and finally glorious sunshine, the weekend was a very enjoyable tournament, Peter Moore from Nottingham, on his first visit to Southport, was delighted with our wonderful hospitality and is determined to return for future tournaments.

Eileen Gallagher won the Swiss and Eileen Rossiter achieved her CA Bronze Medal at the by completing an ‘all round’ break in one of her winning matches.