The Erewash event saw a very tough field coming through the round robin section with the quarter final line up looking very strong, including several ladies, Alison Merrien - the 2012 Ladies World Matchplay and Mixed Pairs World Matchplay Champion, Debbie Stavrou and Janice Gower, all of whom came out as winners from their tough groups.
The Quarter final line up saw some of the top PBA men coming through and set for an exciting finals stage to the day. Jason Parkinson v Danny Dennison, Rhys Vaughan v Debbie Stavrou, Andrew Ware v Tom Doig and Neil Smith v Janice Gower. All four quarter finals were exciting matches to watch and led to the semi-finals promising to be two good quality matches, Tom Doig v Neil Smith and Jason Parkinson v Debbie Stavrou. With Tom and Debbie finally biting the dust the final line up looked really good for the audience.
After coming so far in qualifiers and reaching several finals Neil finally made the last hurdle and claimed the UK Masters Erewash title yesterday after a long hard day of suberb bowling. Coming out as winner of his tough group in the round robin section Neil said that he felt that it could be his day as he felt comfortable on the rinks.
Meeting Janice Gower in the quarter finals Neil did not get it all his own way with Janice fighting every inch of the way and proving to be a difficult player to get past with some superb tight bowls from both opponents. Janice took the first set by one shot and Neil claimed the second set after a tight fight by two shots, the tie breaker finally went Neils way 2-0.
Semi Finals saw Tom Doig proving just as difficult an opponent but finally Neil took it on a tie break 2-1, the final proved to be a massive battle against Jason Parkinson, another player who has reached several finals and eventually Neil Smith played bowls that would have proved a credit to a TV Final and finished with a score line of 10-1, 7-4.
Neil now goes through to the Co-operative Funeralcare UK Masters Tour Final in May 2012 where he, with others, hopes to take one of the two Tourcards on offer for the 2012-13 season plus the £750 holiday vouchers.
Full results are attached
