Adderbury seal Hawker Cup glory

OBA Hawker Cup winners Adderbury; back row left to right Phil Gladden, Darren Sharpe, Ted Eley, Paul Jelfs, Ian Dunn, Nigel Eley; front row: Mick Jelfs and Chris Skidmore. Photo: Maureen Tyrrell

Adderbury joined Oxfordshire's bowls elite with a stunning 37-34 victory over Carterton A in the final of the prestigious county OBA Hawker Cup.

In a close and high quality final, Adderbury secured the most important triumph in the club’s 92-year history. Winning a competition such as the Hawker Cup is a massive achievement for a village club that played the season in division three of the Oxford & District Bowls League.

The cup win came after an undefeated league campaign and Adderbury bowler Phil Gladden winning the Longford Cup, a sought-after county singles competition.

Thirty-one teams entered the competition and to reach the final, played at Oxford City & County on Friday, Adderbury beat Oxford City & County, West Witney, Witney Mills and cup favourites Headington A, the Oxford & District League champions in the semi-final.

The competition was played over two rinks with aggregate scores deciding the result.

In the final, Mick Jelfs, Paul Jelfs, Phil Gladden and Darren Sharpe beat Paul Justin, Phil Monahan, Tim Jupp and Paul Sharman 19-17. Ian Dunn, Nigel Eley, Chris Skidmore and Ted Eley beat Peter Latter, Kevin Salway, Dave Clanfield and Remy Clanfield 18-17.