LEE WALTERS of Barremman Bowling Club and Helensburgh’s Andrew Sneddon secured victory in Helensburgh Bowling Club’s popular Toyota Gents’ Pairs Open after a nailbiting final which went all the way to an extra end.

The contest, held over the course of a week at the end of June, is run on a knockout basis and attracted entries from the clubs in Helensburgh and beyond.

The early rounds of the week-long knockout tournament were played last Tuesday and Wednesday, all over 12 ends, with the semi-finals and final, over 14 ends, following on the Friday evening.

In the semi-finals the Cardross Bowling Club pair of Donald McDonald and Stephen Telford lost out to Craig McCleary and Charles McClelland of Eastfield BC in Dumbarton, while in the other last four tie Lee and Andrew defeated Bob Backer and Alan Godfrey of Cove and Kilcreggan BC.

The final saw some excellent bowls played, but after winning five of the first six ends to open up a 10-2 advantage, it was the Eastfield pair who looked to have the trophy well within their grasp.

But it was at that point that Lee and Andrew began their fightback – and they turned the tie around in spectacular fashion after scoring five shots at both the eighth and 11th ends to put themselves 14-12 in front going into the final end.

Craig and Charles, though, weren’t finished yet, and they scored a two to make it peels after 14 and send the tie into an extra end.

But it was Lee and Andrew who held their nerve, scoring a single shot in that last end to win the prize.

Club president Roger Jones thanked Helensburgh Toyota for sponsoring the competition all the players for taking part and Allan Howie for organising the competition.