The annual East Coast Triples & Pairs Week at Potters fabulous Hopton-on-Sea Resort, organised by Teresa & Selwyn Goldsmith, continues to attract big entries with nearly 200 bowlers and friends attending this week. With 20 mats in constant use in the famous International Arena fifty-five triples are competing to see which of them will lift the East Coast Triples Cup this year. At the close of play on Tuesday defending champions Will Townsend, Billie Barker & Melvyn Barker had enjoyed an unbeaten start with two wins and a draw in the Green Group although they trail Hazel Spry, Phil Spry & Colin Sharpe who produced three straight wins. But with each triple having seven more group games to play over the next two days there is still a long way to go. All triples in Red Group played four games on day one and four triples have picked up six points each. Suffolk’s Andy Noble, Donna Mills & Michael Rice lead the pack with a terrific shot difference of +23. Cambridgeshire’s popular ex England international Joe Peters, playing with Alison & Brian Eastgate, is in pole position in Blue Group after reeling off four straight wins. North Yorkshire’s David Brown, Keith Hughes & David Hunton are unbeaten in the Purple Group and look serious contenders this year. The Black Group has produced a series of tight games with three triples on six points and little between them on shots. Just with their noses in front are Heather Whalley, Jan Davey & Barry Chapman. The quick-fire East Coast Pairs began on Tuesday evening for those who want extra bowls. This is being played with four groups this year with bowlers needing to finish first or second in their group to qualify for Thursday’s quarter-finals. Charles Waling & Andy George lead Black Group with three wins. North York’s bowlers Paul Whitcombe & Arthur Jackson lead Red Group on shots while North Yorks Chris Prendagast & Freddie Alnutt lead Purple Group. Norfolk’s own Jimmy Delaney & Richard Broad lead Green Group after three straight wins.
A packed International Arena sees the start of the East Coast Triples & Pairs Week
