A new name is set to grace the cup in the singles at the 54th Southend Open Ladies Bowls Tournament.

Current holder Peggy Taylor (Prittlewell) and 1995 singles champion Barbara Overall (Castle Point) were among the casualties in yesterday's competition.

In breezy conditions which made bowling difficult the final 16 competitors battled it out to get to the quarter-finals.

The quarters saw some good bowls played and sorted out the semi-finalists which will be played from 12.30pm tomorrow.

Jean Bowtle of Rochford booked her place in the semis by beating two-time former champion Shirley Cohen and Maureen Newman yesterday. In the quarter-final she beat Sue Case from Hockley 21-18.

Maureen Goodman (Greenways) defeated Sylvia Everitt in a game which saw the score at 20-19 in Maureen's favour going into the final end.

She scored three shots to take the score to 23-19 and book a place in the semi-finals against Jean Bowtle.

Wickford's Sheila Hennessey made it through to the semis after beating Peggy Taylor in the quarter final. Sheila had earlier beaten Carla Appleford (Shoebury) 21-8.

Sheila will face Margaret Truman in the other semi-final after she recorded a 21-18 victory over fellow Victoria club-mate Margaret Green.

Yesterday also saw the mixed pairs competition get underway.

Margaret Truman capped her singles success by notching up going through in the mixed pairs with her partner John Flower. They will meet previous singles winner Evelyn Schooling and John Warman from Victoria.

Pam and Reg Wood from Rayleigh scored three shots on an extra end to win over former singles champion Steve Smith (Victoria) and her husband Mike.

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