THE Malvern & District Motor Cycle & Light Car Club are very proud of their annual charity skittles events held at their Beacon Clubroom in Link Way.

Every year since these tournaments first began in 1989 they have been a resounding success both in the calibre of the competitions and in the amount of money raised for The Cancer Research Campaign.

This year had an entry of 42 ladies teams competing for The Margaret Fildes Memorial Trophy and 39 men's teams competing for The Beacon Charity Shield.

It was because of the generosity of many people £1804 was raised and the total amount donated to The Cancer Research Campaign since the competition began in 1989 is £18,614.98.

The matches were played with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship, raffles were held on match nights and were well supported by both players and spectators.

The finals and presentations of the two competitions were held on separate evenings with the donation to The Cancer Research Campaign being made on Men's night.

Both evenings ended with a grand raffle and a splendid buffet provided by supporters of the events.

In the ladies semi-finals Easy Riders narrowly beat Poppetts by only five pins and Sugar and Spice beat Sprinters.

The final was very closely fought and was evenly matched with the title resting on the last leg, Sugar and Spice eventually becoming the 2000 champions by only seven pins.

The highest score of the Competition, was reached in the final by two players, firstly when Lynn Mitchell, captain of Sugar and Spice, scored 43 which included a 13 spare and then by Emma Barber of Easy Riders when she took 11 spare on the last leg.

Lorna Rodway, ladies organiser, thanked all those who had contributed in some way in the various aspects of the competition and congratulated everyone on another very successful conclusion.

Dorothy Layton of The Cancer Research Campaign Local Committee thanked all those who had worked so hard and went on to describe the marvellous research done by the charity and how dependable it was on financial support from local groups.

She then presented the trophies to the losing semi-finalists, Dave Phillips, club president, presented the prizes to the winners and runners up.

The Champions, Sugar and Spice, were Lynn Mitchell, Jill Bannister, Jackie Burston, Julie Daly, Karen Bannister and Lysa Hall, they each received Wedgwood boxes as well as the Margaret Fildes Memorial Trophy. The runners up, Easy Riders, were Babs Barber, Sue Waugh, Emma Barber, Veronica Lockett, Myra Baker and Debbie Farrell also received Wedgwood china.

The losing semi-finalists, the Poppetts and the Sprinters each received Wedgwood dishes. Highest scorers of the competition were Lynn Mitchell of Sugar and Spice and Emma Barber of Easy Riders with 43 pins and they each received a Wedgwood vase.

In the mens competition, Powick Nomads won their semi-final, with a high score of 151, beating Rejects "A". In the other semi-final Taffy's Sweepers beat Cradley "A".

In the exciting final both teams had chances to secure the match but it was last years' winners, Powick Nomads, who went on to victory and become champions for the fifth time.

Nick Taylor, mens organiser, thanked everyone concerned. Dave Phillips, club president presented the trophies to the losing semi-finalists and Dorothy Layton of The Cancer Research Campaign presented them to the runners up and the winners.

The champions, Powick Nomads were John Phillips, Keith Knight, Alan Tandy, John Ratcliffe, Paul Trussler and Tom Green each received Edinburgh Crystal clocks as well as the Beacon Charity Trophy. The runners up, Taffy's Sweepers were Graham Edmunds, Malcolm Knapper, Paul Knapper, Kevin Edmunds, Shaun Garfield and Dave Turner, they each received Royal Worcester plates. The losing semi-finalists Rejects "A" and Cradley "A" each received Stuart Crystal rummers.

Highest scorers of the competition were Paul Knapper of Taffy's Sweepers and Harold Bosley of XS Pins with 51, they received an Edinburgh Crystal tumbler.

Diane Phillips, competition treasurer, explained how the money had been raised and presented the cheque for £1800 to Dorothy Layton, chairperson of the Malvern branch of The Cancer Research Campaign.