GERRARDS Cross hosted a series of memorable finals weekend matches to close one of the best seasons in the history of the bowls club.

The men's blue ribbon match, the singles championship, saw Tom McGuinness up against Matt Hyde and it provided superb entertainment for an enthralled crowd.

Hyde took an early lead and applied pressure end after end. He held what appeared to be an unassailable winning position at 14-2. McGuinness however dug deep, never let his head drop and slowly came back into the game.

The match showed both to be playing at their very best and the crowd were royally entertained with a contest worthy of the final.

It was anyone's game at 19-19 but the tide had turned and McGuinness drew to victory in one of the most memorable finals seen at Maltman's Lane.

The ladies championship saw Katie Reid up against Anne Green. Whilst the men's final was fought out by experienced bowlers, in the ladies' it was relative newcomers to the game that had progressed having beaten more experienced players along the way.

It was an intriguing match played with a great deal of skill by both players who again put on a great game for the appreciative spectators with Reid taking the crown - a significant achievement in such a short time.

In a new competition to celebrate the life of Dennis Ward, a lifelong supporter and bowler at Gerrards Cross, an open format for both ladies and men had been devised.

The event was well supported by all members and the final saw Michael Gomme come up against Hyde. In another match worthy of any final, it was Gomme that came through to win the cup in its inaugural year.

It was an emotional time as Michael Gomme is the Grandson of Dennis Ward.