This year, the Bowls Algarve Poppy Pairs was held at the Parque da Floresta Club last Tuesday. Each Club held their own internal competition to select two pairs to represent their club at this annual event to raise funds for the British Legion Poppy Appeal. Sixteen pairs competed in an all - day round robin knockout competition, with four groups of four pairs, playing each team in their own group. The winners of each group progressed to the semi - finals. Two series of games were held in the morning, followed by an excellent and leisurely lunch laid on by hostess Janice and her helpers Noelia and Paula. The third series of matches just after lunch determined the group winners. The Green group was won convincingly by the Amigos 2 team of Paula Montgomery and Vince Cresswell with a maximum six points. The Black group saw John and Christina Laskey also take maximum points to qualify. The Red group was closer, with PDF 1 (John Woodworth and Paul Barry) just edging out Clive and Roy from the Tavira 2 team, both having four points. Meanwhile the Blue group was won by the other PDF team of Jean Palmer - Hall and Barbara Bird on six points also.

The semi - finals were keenly contested, John and Christina Laskey from Alvor narrowly beating Jean and Barbara from PDF by 6-5. In the other semi, the home pairing of John and Paul were defeated by Paula and Vince from the Amigos by a more convincing 8-1. Paula and Vince then went on to defeat John and Christina in the final by 10-2, whilst the two PDF Pairs fought it out for third and fourth, John and Paul winning 6-4 after an extra end.

The British Legion delegation of Peter & Sandra Wilkinson and Bill Bullock then kindly presented the prizes and the all - important Poppy Shield to the winners, Vince and Paula from the Amigos (based at the Alvor Club). The day was rounded off and made very worthwhile by the presentation of 1150 euros to the British Legion - all raised by the bowling clubs involved. The fund - raising was greatly helped along by a tombola raffle and a special prize of a bottle of wine personally signed by Sir Cliff Richard, won by Angela Lee from the PDF Club. A great day for all concerned and here's to next years' event.

Alan Clarke - Bowls Algarve League Director