John Ferrell Wins The Third Three Bridges Open
by Ian Holman
 Surrey's
John Ferrell was the winner of the
third Three Bridges Open held at Three Bridges Football Club on Sunday 27th January,
beating Billingshurst's Tony Ayres 3-0 in the final. In the semi-finals
Ferrell beat Paul Oakley (Thurrock) 3-0 and Ayres beat Gary Miles (Thurrock)
3-0. Ferrell picked up £182.50, Ayres £91.25 and Oakley and Miles £45.62
each. 73 players entered the popular competition with Ferrell winning Board
3 with wins against Nigel Panton (3-1), Ben Burton (3-0), Gary Blackwood
(3-0) and Rob Cross. Ayres won Board 2 with wins against Andy Gurr (3-2),
Graham Parker (3-0), George McKie (3-0) and Martin Burchell (3-0). Gary
Miles won Board 1 with wins against Zach Halsey (3-0), Ken Sowerby (3-0),
Rob Metcalfe (3-0) and Alan Colgate (3-0). Paul Oakley won Board 4 with wins
against Roy Oxlade (3-0), Joe Shanahan (3-0), Matt Wenham (3-2), Dan Gardner
(3-1) and Ian Holman (3-2). Former winner Danny King was surprisingly beaten
3-0 in his opening game against Colin Mills. At least fourteen 180s were hit on the day with John
Ferrell hitting four, Tony Ayres and Gary Miles two and one each for Ian Holman,
Dave Mansell, Steve Mecrow, Rob Metcalfe, Kevin Reilly and Matt Wenham. Alex
Whiteside hit the days best checkout with a magnificent 164 in his opening
round win. Neil Smith hit a 155, Ian Holman a 106 and Colin Mills hit
two finishes of 100. In the flying pairs competition Paul Oakley and Lee Passey
(£99) beat Gary Miles and Ben Burton (£49.50) 2-1 in the final from
an entry of 33 pairs. Losing semi-finalists were Colin Mills & Andy
Mason and Peter Sopp & Oliver Sopp. |