THE 2015 crown green bowling season in the Kendal & District area got underway with the second annual FMB sponsored Super 32 Competition. Showcasing the top players from last year in a knockout style event at Netherfield Bowling Club, the competition included players from all divisions of the league.

Ian Nicholson of Victoria Bowling Club eventually took the title.

The early rounds of the Super 32 have become known for who will be the 'giant killing' victims and the crowd were not left disappointed by the displays of several underdogs from those lower divisions this year.

Verna Ashley (Lower Holker) was the first of those to triumph over #11 seed Dave Grisedale (Holme). Ashley started the game 5-0 up and finished it with the same points advantage, 21-16.

However, more impressive perhaps was Tom Wilson (Sedbergh); a fourth division entrant (starting 4-0) who demolished #16 seed Kevin Tomlinson (Bowness) 21-7.

The first semi-final saw a family affair with father and son Martin and Alan Gilpin (both Victoria) competing against one-another.

Gilpin was the only semi-finalist outside of the top four rankings (#7) and led superbly on short lengths to defeat his father 21-15.

In the second semi-final top seed Nicholson took on Holme youngster Mark Ashburn in the game of the day, with both players illustrating their quality and it was only a bowl-sized gap at 20 each that stopped Ashburn from reaching the final.

Nicholson quickly built a 9-4 lead in the final but Gilpin was determined not to disappoint the crowd and came back to 11-12.

But Nicholson played excellently to complete the win.

Gilpin will go on to represent the Kendal and District Bowling League in the £3,500 Builders Supply Invitational at Lune Road, Lancaster on August 15 later this season with Ian Nicholson already invited.