THE conditions really tested the hardy group of bowlers who turned up for the Winter Flyers in Birkenhead Park on Sunday.

At the end of play it was John Hignett Jnr over from Manchester who coped best with the difficult playing surface and he took the top prize beating Tixall's Nigel Hughes in the final.

In his quarter final game Hignett had to come from 19-13 down to just scrape through against Joe Edwards of Levers before he then had another hard battle in the semis against John Jones who plays for Mold in Wales.

Hughes could not have had a more difficult route through to the final coming up against two of his club mates from the Tixall Club.

In the quarters he beat last week's winner Mick Andrews and then he triumphed over the always dangerous Matthew Gilmore.

The final was tight but Hignett was clearly able to cope a little better with the conditions and he took a 21-18 victory.

Results:

Quarter Finals: J. Hignett Jnr (Manchester) 21, J. Edwards (Levers) 20; J. Jones (Mold) 21, J. Cosgrove (New Brighton Quarry Vikings) 16; M. Gilmore (Tixall) 21, T. Walker (Hoylake Central) 15; N. Hughes (Tixall) 21, M. Andrews (Tixall) 16.

Semi Finals: Hignett 21, Jones 18; Hughes 21, Gilmore 18. Final: Hignett 21, Hughes 18.

In addition to the Tixall Classic Tournament mentioned last week the Tixall Club are also inviting entries to the Charles Stephens Tixall Junior Classic which takes place on Saturday, June 27.

This tournament is open to all juniors who must have a BCGBA membership number.

The event is in two sections, under 14 and under 18, the age qualifying date being January 1, 2015. The entry fee is £1. Players wishing to enter should contact Robin May on 678 0613.

A training course for bowls referees is being held at the Manor Road Club at 1.30pm this Wednesday, January 21, next Wednesday (January 28) and Feburary 4. The test day is February 11.