Welcome to the 2024 Eastbourne Open

Sunday 14th to Friday 19th July 2024

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It is a special year for the Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament in 2024. It is one hundred years since the inaugural tournament in 1924. To help celebrate, every competitor will receive a free souvenir mug. And 2024 also sees the return of the Ladies singles.

Entry is now open. So why not make 2024 a year to enjoy competitive bowls in a friendly tournament where you will form new and enduring friendships with local and national bowlers.

Celebrating 100 years of great bowling
Singles, pairs and triples events
The ladies singles is back!
Coastal location with matches at friendly, welcoming Eastbourne clubs
Finals at Eastbourne Bowling Club on the Saffrons greens
Free evening social event
Free special edition centenary mug to all bowlers
Long-stranding reputation for good organisation
A Bowls England 5* licensed tournament
Secure and easy online entry

Report on the 93rd Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament.

Mayor of Eastbourne (Cllr Candy Vaughan) opened the Tournament on the greens of Gildredge Park BC, welcoming the visitors to the town and wishing all of the participants a successful week. The singles was hotly contested (as always) with five former Champions taking part. Andrew Albon (Unattached) – the 2015, 2017 victor and 2021 finalist fought his way through three rounds before succumbing to Rob Ferguson (Bearsted & Thurnham BC) 21-17. Reigning Champion and 2015 finalist Robert Ramsden (Gildredge Park BC) was an early casualty, losing his first round game to Jason Walter (Buxted Park BC) 21-7. Colin Nutton (White Rock BC) – Champion in 2019 and 2021, finalist in 2023, suffered an early defeat against David Bibby (Woodingdean BC) losing 21-19. Martin Biggleston (Eastbourne BC),2008 winner and 2013 finalist, made in through two rounds but then lost 21-19 to 2018 finalist Phil Saunders (Spartan & Lakeside BC). Veteran Francois Celada (Eastbourne BC) winner in 2006, went out in the second round to club mate Simon Knight 22-10. As a result, a new name was guaranteed to win the ‘Blue Riband’ singles event. In the semi-finals Alec Martin (White Rock BC) had a titanic struggle with Rob Ferguson when Alec triumphed 23-18. The second semi saw Jono Dalton (Downsman BC) successfully play out a similarly tight match with Nigel Froud (Cross In Hand BC) 21-19. The final, watched by an enthusiastic crowd, saw Jono Dalton race away to an early lead and although Alec Martin rallied he was unable to redress the early losses, Jono running out the winner 21-12 to take the coveted title.

In the Mens Pairs defending Champions Jack Till (White Rock BC) and Denis O’Mahoney (North Sheen BC) fell at the first hurdle to Paul Wilson and Gary Selvey (Royal Sovereign BC) 17-16. The Royal Sovereign BC pair went on to reach the Semi-final where they were beaten by David Payne and Adrian Wainwright (Eastbourne BC). The other half of the draw saw the ‘made up’ pairing of Andrew Stanley (Eastbourne BC) and Richard Ascroft (Woodingdean BC) go through to the final beating Roger Plant (Knighton Victoria BC) and Tony Ryan (Gildredge Park BC) 20-18. The final was cut short when the Eastbourne pairing conceded after 10 ends with the score 10-2 in favour of the new Champions – Stanley and Ascroft.

The Mixed Pairs final was contested between local pairing Ellen Strevens and George Murray (Gildredge Park BC) and the Westborough BC pairing of Eileen and John Kellum. The home pairing proved too strong on the day winning 25-6.

The Mens Triples saw defending Champions Charles Wright, Jack Till (both White Rock BC) and Denis O’Mahoney (North Sheen BC) taken out in the first round by Jason Walter (Buxted Park BC), Jono Dalton ( Downsman BC) and Paul Ward (Worthing Pavilion BC) in a low scoring game 13-11. The final was contested between Barry Kenward (sub), Jack Wilson and Martin Biggleston (Eastbourne BC) and Robert Ramsden (Gildredge Park BC), Chris Antiss (Knighton Victoria BC) and Andrew Albion (unattached). It was the Eastbourne trio who emerged victorious after a closely fought match 16-14.

The Mixed Triples final saw Megan Gaffney, Colin Nutton and Alec Martin race to a 14-6 lead after 13 ends against the Eastbourne BC trio of Julie Greenslade, Mike Taylor and Andy Hayward. The game then swung around and at 18 ends was all square (15-15). The extra end saw the title go to the Eastbourne BC team, completing their comeback.

The quality of bowling in all of the five competition held throughout the week was extremely high and onlookers witnessed some fabulous matches. The Mayor presented the prizes at Gildredge Park BC with Tournament President Vince Smith and Mike Taylor (Tournament Organiser) thanked all of the members of the hosting clubs who worked tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to ensure the success of the event, with catering, bar staff, green stewards, car park attendants and markers. He also thanked the Umpires (who are lead by ‘Grumpire’ Terry Boniface) for their help. Mike thanked Rob Ferguson of Aford Awards for the donation of the keepsake prizes. He also thanked the long term Sponsor: Wendy & Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel), the advertisers and those who purchased Raffle tickets – producing much needed income. Next year sees the Centenary Tournament take place, which he was delighted to announce will once again be sponsored by Wendy & Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel).

Results:

Singles

Champion: Jono Dalton – Downsman BC
Finalist: Alec Martin – White Rock BC

Men’s Pairs

Champions: Andy Stanley – Eastbourne BC
Richard Ashcroft – Woodingdean BC

Finalists: David Payne – Eastbourne BC
Adrian Wainwright – Eastbourne BC

Mixed Pairs

Champions: Ellen Strevens – Gildredge Park BC
George Murray – Gildredge Park BC

Finalists: Eileen Kellum – Westborough BC
John Kellum – Westborough BC

Mens Triples

Champions: Barry Kenward (sub) – Eastbourne BC
Jack Wilson – Eastbourne BC
Martin Biggleston – Eastbourne BC

Finalists: Robert Ramsden – Gildredge Park BC
Chris Antiss – Knighton Victoria BC
Andrew Albion – Unattached