Mark Wilson Pairs 2024
Continuing the trend of previous iterations of the Mark Wilson Pairs, 2024 saw a new record number of entries – this year 112, a huge thank you to everyone who played!
As always, we had a great mix between non-bowlers, social players and competitive – the field for the first time included multiple World Champions and Commonwealth Gold medalists. We also had the usual colour and fancy dress on show, which along with the superb weather created a festival-type atmosphere across the whole weekend.
Through raffles and part of the entry fees being donated, we raised £1,400 for the South Essex branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
We are grateful for the support of ‘Rink 66’ who were in attendance all weekend and donated a portion of their takings to the charity also.
From a Club-perspective we had a superb weekend, taking roughly £5.5k over the Bar – thanks to all who worked so hard, along with T & K Caterers who were busy all weekend.
The final of the Trophy saw a return for 2023 champions Joe Dawson (Kingscroft) and Edward Morris (Essex County) who were taking on Aiden Maries and Dan Ellicott (Avenue Leamington) – the Warwickshire pair stormed to a 12-0 win in the first set which led to Joe and Edward changing positions (as allowed in the tournament rules). This brought them a change of fortune, taking the second set 9-2 and the tie-break on the very last bowl with Joe ditching the jack in a thrilling finale.
As with previous years the final was live streamed on Facebook and is now available on the Club’s YouTube page.
The Plate saw another Avenue Leamington pair involved in the form of Mark Smith & Chris Poole, they took on Ray Bone (Essex County) and Charlie Souter (Egham) – Avenue controlled the first set but Charlie played a bomb to gain a 3 to tie the set, however tide could not be stemmed any further than that, with Avenue claiming a close 2nd set for the title – a very good event for the Club!
The full results/draw for the Trophy can be found below.
Here’s to 2025!
2023 Report
The tournament this year saw an incredible turnout of exactly 100 pairs who battled it out in fantastic sunny weather across the whole weekend.
During the event, raffles, auctions and a spider all took place to raise a total of £2,200 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (including £500 from entry fees alone). Following the event, further generous donations meant we reached a donation total of £2,500! This was a huge amount more than previous years - thanks to everyone attending for being so generous.
It was particularly pleasing to see the Club so vibrant all weekend long, with many pairs opting for colourful attire and music playing throughout to create a party atmosphere!
The final of the Trophy was contested between Joe Dawson (Leics) & Edward Morris (tournament organiser) v Tim Godman & Matthew Hyde (Gerrards Cross, Bucks - also the previous year's Plate winners). Tim and Matt controlled the first set but narrowly lost the second and subsequent tie-break - congratulations to Joe and Edward, running out 7-9, 6-5, 1-0 winners.
The final was live streamed on Facebook and can now also be found on the Club's YouTube page - Essex County Bowling Club - YouTube
The Plate saw a return to the final for Ray Bone, our inaugrual winner in 2021, partnering Jack Butcher, as it transpired they were paired against Jack's brothers; George and Charlie Butcher. The final, somewhat unsurprisingly, produced a lot of noise and banter between the Romford clubmates and brothers, with Ray and Jack just having the better of things.
The full final draws/results can be found below (note, some scorecards were never received!)
2022 Report
A strong field assembled for the 2022 Mark Wilson Pairs, including the reigning National Pairs champions and numerous junior and senior male and female international players.
The short format provided plenty of shock results and excitement throughout, we were also lucky to be blessed with excellent weather throughout - especially on the Saturday, which encouraged a good crowd to form.
By Sunday evening the final was set:
Emily Ferguson & Charlie Souter v Elaine Score & Emma Pitts
Elaine and Emma (a mother/daughter combo from Springhouse BC, Essex) came out victorious and took away the trophy and top prize of £500, congratulations to them.
We also ran a Plate competition for the pairs who lost in the first round of the competition proper - this years winners were Tim Godman and Matthew Hyde from Gerrards Cross BC in Buckinghamshire.
All in all a great weekend for the Club as well as for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Mark's family - thank you to everyone who contributed to it's success!
