Billericay bowlers were hoping it would be a case of "cheers it's Foster's" when the final of the Midland Bank sponsored Southend Men's Open Bowls Tournament fours was staged at Priory Park later today (Friday).

For one of the town's best known bowlers, Reg Foster, was hoping to take the title for a fourth time.

To make that stage, Foster and his line-up had the tough task of overcoming Stock's Tony Allen in what promised to be a real ding-dong local derby semi-final.

The other semi was also a derby affair with Southend's John Betton up against Dave Bowtle (Great Wakering).

On Thursday, Foster had a great quarter-final success with a 22-18 win over Essex County's Bill Turner.

The Billericay boys were down at the halfway stage, but eventually won with two twos on the 19th and 20th.

Bowtle and his village line-up of Alec Willsmer, Stan Everard and Dave Brady looked like running away with their quarter-final when they led 6-0 on the first four ends.

He was still in front at 17-10 after 13, but was pegged back to 19-all on 17.

However, a three and two singles saw the Wakering team home to the last four with a victory over R Baker (Bantham).

Allen's team had a remarkably easy 33-8 quarter-final win after 18 ends against fancied John Beckwith (Bournemouth Park).

In the previous round Beckwith, who had lost the services of skip Chris Waller but found a great replacement in the shape of Shoebury Park's Peter Bates, enjoyed a thrilling last end win over the redoubtable Joe Stamper (Lionmede).

However, Beckwith and Co seemed to use up all their energies in this epic clash and were never at the races against Allen, losing 19 shots over the closing six ends.

If Betton can win the title it will represent a great personal double triumph for one of his team members, John Wells, who last week took the triples crown.

Betton, Wells, C Perry and Charlie Mead took on Woodside's Dennis Williams, Peter Tamlin, B Rogers and Dave Howard in the quarter-finals and won 19-10.

Betton was being held 10-all after 16, but then reeled off three ones, a two and a four without reply.

The two-week tournament, which has again been a huge success, was ending today with the finals of fours, pairs and mixed fours plus a number of consolation competitions.

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