Day one of the Co-op Funeralcare European Masters got off to a flying start at Blackpool Newton Hall Holiday Park with 48 competitors looking to grab the two winning ‘Tourcard’ spots into next season’s WBT TV Ranking events. With a really strong field out there it was a great start to the day for Paul Hartley (Hartlepool), newly returned to the PBA, took his first match against Rhys Vaughan, (Ffrith).
Wheelchair bowler, George Ridgeon (Mid Glos) took on Steven Mead ( Foxhills) in a determined effort but it was Mead that took the honours in that match. Norman Coad (Bodmin) had been stirred to have another try after seeing Scotsman Charlie Bence do so well at the World Championships in January and he went up against an equally determined Lee Rowland (Ipswich) and it was Rowland that took that match.
Simon Skelton (Nottingham) was also there looking to get back into the WBT Top 16 and he faced Scott Edwards (Adur). Skelton was in devastating form as he blitzed his way to a two set clearance. Charlie Bence (Blantyre) entered against Pat Briscoe (Betteshanger). Once again it was the old Scot who perservered and he managed to steal the match in a tie break from Briscoe.
As the day progressed it was great to see the new WBT full HD stream on the WBT Facebook page as well as the normal Youtube Stream and this will be analysed over the coming days to see what comes of this new initiative.
Match scores and play schedules are all on the website and are updated as quickly as possible after match completion.