Hevingham SMBC hosted the Bure Singles Championships which produced a competitive night of bowls on which Halvergate’s Ryan Fox emerged as champion after three bowlers finished level on points. Defending champion Chris Willies of East Tuddenham started well with a 12-2 win against Hevingham’s Melvyn Barker while Ryan Fox beat Horford’s Keith Ruddock 8-4. In the second session Chris Willies continued with his foot on the gas pedal beating Ruddock 11-3 but Fox saw his hopes of the title take a massive knock as he was defeated 7-6 by Thorpe Marriott’s Tony Turner. Fox was cruising at 6-1 up at the halfway stage before Turner won the last four ends to put himself in contention for the title. The third session saw Chris Willies looking to consolidate his position as he faced Ryan Fox on mat one. Both players went into the game with their attacking heads on and both looking to use weight at any opportunity. Fox led 4-2 after four ends and then won the last four ends to earn an 11-2 win. On mat two Tony Turner added his second win beating Melvyn Barker 10-4 leaving Fox, Willies & himself level on points. Session four saw Willies and Turner meet on mat two where the East Tuddenham bowler dealt Turner’s hopes a blow beating him by 12-4 while Barker picked up a win beating Ruddock 9-5. The last session of the night left Ryan Fox needing to beat Melvyn Barker by seven shots or more to lift the title while the defending champion could only sit and watch to see the outcome. With three ends remaining Ryan Fox led Melvyn Barker by a narrow 4-2 margin but over the next two ends extended his lead to seven shots. Fox just had to win the last end to become champion and did it in style taking four shots for a 13-2 win. On the other mat Tony Turner beat Keith Ruddock 10-4 to move onto six points with Ryan Fox and Chris Willies and secure third place. Final positions – 1st Ryan Fox 6 points (+23 shots), 2nd Chris Willies 6 points (+18 shots), 3rd Tony Turner 6 points (+5 shots) 4th Melvyn Barker 2 points, 5th Keith Ruddock 0 points. On Friday Halvergate have the chance to complete a clean sweep of the Bure Championships when defending champions Jason Woods & David Lamb defend their Bure Pairs title at their venue in Upton. Hevingham will be represented by Lesley & Brian Turner who will face East Tuddenham's Robert Howlett & Mike Smail in their opening game. Thorpe Marriott's Gavin Gray & Richard Perkins will begin with a game against Chris Walsgrove & Sally Bates of Horsford BC. Woods & Lamb's first game will be in the second session against Walsgrove & Bates.
Ryan Fox of Halvergate SMBC wins Bure Singles
Chris Willies of East Tuddenham was runner-up