Century-old Hastings tournament ready to roll

The 104th Hastings Open Bowls Tournament will take centre stage at White Rock Gardens throughout the coming week.
The 2016 Hastings Open Bowls Tournament will get under way tomorrow morning and continue throughout the weekThe 2016 Hastings Open Bowls Tournament will get under way tomorrow morning and continue throughout the week
The 2016 Hastings Open Bowls Tournament will get under way tomorrow morning and continue throughout the week

The historic event will get under way at 9.15am today (Monday) with a bowl out between the Mayor, Councillor Judy Rogers, and the deputy Mayor, Councillor Nigel Sinden. The competition proper will start shortly afterwards.

Entries are a little down on last year, although there is an encouraging increase in the Gibbons, Mannington & Phipps Open Triples and the preliminary matches will start immediately after the Mayoral duo have strutted their stuff.

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A tournament spokesman said the reduction in numbers is partially attributable to the Olympics getting under way as a similar thing happened in 2012. The event has, however, still attracted its usual entries from the midlands and the north.

Today’s competitions will continue with the first round of the Kiley’s Karpets Ladies’ Singles and preliminary round of the Croft Glass Men’s Singles.

With every rink in use, it will be a fine sight - even better if we have some decent weather. Spectators are very welcome to come and watch, and drinks and refreshments will be on sale from the clubhouse.

The tournament committee is greatly indebted to Hastings Borough Council for the use of the greens, the aforementioned sponsors, Don and Gwen Softley, the Brickwall Hotel - which once again has been very generous with its funding - and all the companies who have advertised in the tournament programme and provided prizes for the 'monster raffle'.

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The bowling will continue throughout the week and conclude with the various finals on Saturday afternoon.

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