The JP Classic Cup Triples Open 2019 sponsored by John Parkinson , Steak & Co. & Smokin Joe’s BBQ took centre stage at the Retreat Lawn Bowling Club Sat/Sun 25/25th May.
A turnout of 48 bowlers both expat and Thai for this annual event which boasted excellent trophies and a prize fund of 50,000baht, guaranteed that this would be a hard fought event.
Saturday saw the Teams play 3 matches of 14 ends with a further match being played Sunday morning to see the top eight teams advance to the Classic Cup main trophy knock out stage with the next eight teams competing for the Mini Classic Cup.
The weather although hot was tempered by some cloud cover and with no rain forecast the tournament got off to a good start. Played on both the new artificial green and also the grass green,the qualifying matches required a particular skill to adjust to the different playing surfaces, which were played on alternately and on which the bowls travelled at far differing speeds.
With a few surprises en-route, which saw some of the favourites fail to qualify for the main trophy knockout the tournament progressed to the quarter final eliminations with six out of the top eight places being occupied by Thai teams.
This bodes well for Thailand national squad who were using the tournament as an opportunity to gain experience of different greens before travelling to Australia to compete in the Asia Pacific Championships and later in the year to the Philippines for the SEA games.
The Semi-finals and Finals of both the Classic Cup and Mini Classic Cup were played on the grass surface with the standard of play and tension escalating as the matches became even more competitive (if that was possible).
Ultimately it was one of the Thai National sides Team TNN; Kunanon Poungsiri (Tong), Saman Phonlangoen (March), Sonti Mana (Ti) that took the coveted Classic Cup Trophy and 25,00 baht prize
Runners Up were Team Paradise; Sukum Moongchomklang, Poonsak Tongsri, Phitaya Sarapol having to settle for individual trophies’ and 12,000 baht which in itself was no small return for a fun filled two days of top level lawn bowls.
The winners of the Mini Classic Cup were Team Aussie Poms; consisting of Anthony & Michelle Griffiths and John Underwood. With Team Jane’s Boys; (Chenchira Duanghayap (Jane), Pongwit Kaeaopas (Hut), Don Pritchard taking second spot.
After a hard fought two day of bowls played in a great spirit and with a fun presentation buffet and party the biggest winner over the weekend was the game of Lawn Bowls.
The next competition is a Pairs tournament on June 15th/16thth everyone is welcome to participate or spectate.
For a more social game the Retreat is Open 7 days a week 1000-1800 (Call 0995454272 for details).