Hooper claims Observer bowls title

The Martlets player went into the finals full of confidence having been a part of the four that won at the Hastings Open Bowls Tournament just two days previously.

Hooper stormed into an 8-0 lead against club-mate Tony Midwinter in the Observer Cup after rattling up a couple of fours on the opening two ends. A three on the sixth saw Hooper open up a commanding 12-3 advantage and although his opponent pegged back some shots it was never going to be enough as the trophy was won 21-12.

Mary Bray, of Polegrove Ladies, won a very tight Ladies' Observer Cup 21-20 against Gwen Mann of Bexhill Women. There was never much in it and fittingly the outcome was decided by the final wood when Bray took a two on the final end to clinch a thrilling victory in her first appearance in the competition.

Earlier in the day, Hooper and Terry Hodd won the Stan Howe Men's Pairs 25-19 in an all-Martlets final against Ray Hodd and Dave Shorey. After seven ends Hooper held a useful 14-4 lead but a fortunate five on the 10th end brought Hodd and Shorey back into the game at 15-10 and this soon became 19-17 before a three and a single over the next two ends ended all hopes of a comeback, Hooper and Hodd eventually winning 25-19.

The Ladies' Stan Howe Pairs was won by Denise Hodd and Cherrie Stephens (Polegrove Ladies) who triumphed 21-18 in another close final against Lorraine Kemp and Marion Boswell (Bexhill Women).

Kemp and Boswell had the early advantage and were still leading by three shots after 14 ends when a four on the 15th gave the Polegrove duo a slender lead. The Bexhill pair responded with a three to regain the advantage but Hodd and Stephens won the last four ends 1,3,1,1 to claim the trophy.