BOWLER Malcolm Ehrler was crowned Herefordshire men's Champion of Champions for Bulmers after winning four of the last five ends to take victory in the final.

Nine clubs took part in the competition and champions of their clubs in 2017 went through to the tournament, but due to adverse weather the competition was switched to 2018.

The unlucky players drawn in the singles preliminary round were David Bithell (Kington) and Greg Farndon (Eardisland). Bithell started the better taking a 18-6 lead but Farndon fought back to make it 20-16 on 18 ends, before the Kington player picked up the one to win the game.

In the quarter-final Bithell and Phill Williams (Hereford) fought a very tight game in the early stages with a score of 13-12 after ten ends. Bithell then won the last five ends to come winner 21-12.

John Davies (Aston Ingham) played the host club Weobley Bowling Club champion Mike Simon and found himself down 3-13 after nine ends. Davies then won the next four ends to reduce the score to 9-13 before Simon finished stronger and won 21-10.

Malcolm Ehrler (Bulmers) was tested by John Walker (Wellington) before coming out winner 21-17. The final quarter-final was the longest game of the day and was fought by Colin Walters (Bodenham) and Alec Tandler (Brimfield), after 23 ends Walters was down 16-17. Tandler then picked up two three’s to win 23-17.

The first semi-final was played between Ehrler and Tandler with the first 18 ends being very close with the Brimfield bowler leading 15-14. However, Ehrler finished strongly to win 21-15.

In the other semi-final Simon dominated play against Bithell dropping only two ends to win 21-5.

The final between Ehrler and Mike Simon was nailbiting and after 17 ends the score was 13-13.

However, as in previous rounds Ehrler finished strongly and won four of the last five ends to become the Champion 21-14.