Maureen Goodman claimed her maiden win in the singles final of the 54th Southend Ladies Open Bowls Tournament yesterday.

The Greenways bowler defeated Sheila Hennessey of Wickford RBL 21-16 to become champion for the first time at a sun-drenched Priory Park, Southend.

Sheila started off well and got within two shots of her rival at one point, but Maureen got into the lead and maintained it all the way through the final.

Maureen took three shots on the final end to clinch victory despite a brave fight from Sheila.

Connie Lunn and Ken Watkins of Shoebury triumphed in the mixed pairs by beating Marge Skilbeck and Paul Maynard 24-9.

The Shoebury pair quickly set up a 9-0 lead before Essex County player Paul and his mother-in-law Marg, who bowls for Murrayfield, levelled on the tenth end.

However, they remained stuck on nine shots, leaving Connie and Ken to take the game.

Victoria's Sue Edwards and Gill Flaxman led all the way to take the ladies pairs title. They beat Prittlewell bowlers Peggy Taylor and Marion Taylor 20-11.

"We had a good crowd there watching and there were lots of local bowlers and their clubmates cheering the finalists on," said tournament secretary Maureen Newman.

"The standard of play has been very high this year and it is the first time for a long time where we have not had any rain."

Friday saw the quarter-finals of the mixed pairs where Evelyn Schooling (Victoria) and John Warman (Essex County) beat Jan and John Adams (Shoebury), Connie Lunn and Kevin Watkins beat Margaret and Malcolm Benz (Hainault), Pauline and John James (Romford) beat Daphne and John French (Hockley) and Marg Skilbeck and Paul Maynard beat Barbara and Roy Smith (South Benfleet).

In the semi-finals Connie Lunn and Kevin Watkins beat Evelyn Schooling and John Warman, while Marg Skilbeck and Paul Maynard beat Pauline and John James.

Next year's tournament takes place between July 19 and 30.

l Would-be bowlers aged 12 to 18 can try out the game for free at Benfleet Bowls Club in Brook Road from 6-7.30pm this evening. Call Dennis Shrubshall on 01268 792081 for more information. All equipment is provided, just wear flat-soled shoes or trainers.

Ladies singles - (left to right) Maureen Goodman and Sheila Hennessey

Picture: ANDY PALMER

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.