Spalding IBC captain and tournament co-organiser Graham Smith said: "It was a gamble to try this, but was a complete success and will now be a yearly fixture."

The only big disappointment was World number 12 Billy Jackson having to withdraw due to a chest infection and personal reasons. His place was taken by Spalding's Annalisa Bellamy.

The quarter-final line-up was Martin Pulling (Grantham) v Calvin Leuty (Spalding), Andrew Ware (Ely) v Peter Hobbs (Barwell), Annalisa Bellamy (Spalding) v Graham Smith (Spalding) and the tie of the round Nicky Brett (Ely) v Jamie Chestney (Gallow).

This should have produced some close games with four internationals, one junior international and one past international on display, but, although top class bowls was played, all four games were easily won.

Pulling won 8-7, 5-3, Hobbs 6-3, 8-2, Smith 9-2, 8-4 and Brett 7-3, 6-2.

In the semi-finals Pulling always had enough in the tank to beat Hobbs in two straight sets, but the other game was a cliffhanger.

Brett won the first set fairly easily, but Smith levelled at 1-1.

Smith said: "At 7-1 up with two ends to play I should not have had to get a result with my last bowl of the last end to win the set."

The tie-break was a classic, Smith holding well in the first end only for Brett to steal shot with his last bowl with a slightly lucky result.

Smith levelled again on the next end and held the upper hand in the decider, but everytime he tried to kill the end off, it went wrong and left Brett slightly more room each time.

Brett had about 11 inches to draw in with his last bowl.

He came up about that distant short, and won it on a measure.

The final was a game too far for Pulling and a bit of an anti-climax.

He is retiring from bowls due to a back problem and struggled to cope with the accurate drawing of Brett, who won 7-2, 7-4.

He was presented with the Brian Thorold Trophy by Brian's widow Eileen and Smith presented the money and champagne. Pulling went home with £200 and a bottle of champagne.

Smith said: "The club wishes to thank Stonehaven Residential Home in Quadring for sponsoring the competition. We could not have done it without them.

"Thanks also to Leisure Connection for free use of the rinks for the day and J2 Catering for good food, keeping the players watered and for supplying champagne.

"Myself and Simon Lilley spent hours preparing the tournament, but we must thank all of our helpers and markers on the day and Colin Wilson for umpiring."