THREE Margate bowlers with a formidable record in local tournaments won the second annual open mixed triples at the Thanet club.

Alan Walton with husband and wife duo Geri and Nick Wood (skip) picked up £60 each after totally dominating the final, writes Dave Cooper.

They cruised clear by 23 shots to 7 against the all-Ramsgate line-up of Albert Brockwell, Audrey and Denis Sumpter (skip) who conceded with one end still to go.

The new champions were off to a flying start and their only hiccup was in conceding a four at the 10th which clipped their lead to 14-7.

After that, however, they reigned supreme with a series of pin-point drawing bowls and took the next seven ends to clinch the crown.

The losers shared £120 while Ron Breakspear, Enid Hilton (both Broadstairs) and Mike Barnes (Margate) claimed £25 apiece for winning the play-off for third.

They edged home 15-14 against Linda Blackman, Terry Gausby (both Ramsgate) and Ray Greenstreet (Margate) who shared £45.

Prizes were presented by the deputy mayor of Ramsgate, Cllr Alan Poole, and Barry Coppock who were representing sponsors Frank Thorley, of Thorley Taverns and estate agent Damien Cooke.

Entries totalled 28 which was 30 per cent up on 2007 and organiser and men’s club president Barry Bryant said the event was now firmly fixed in the bowls calendar.

He added: “the sponsorship is very welcome indeed but we are very much an expanding club with our excellent facilities steadily pulling in new members.”