THE New Brighton Classic was played in beautiful sunny conditions on greens in perfect condition at New Brighton Cricket Club, home of Quarry Vikings BC, and won by local player West Kirby Victoria’s Jamie Fitzpatrick.

In the final he met Gerald Merry, the Cheshire player and at 18-8 down it looked all over but Fitzpatrick fought back in no uncertain style and, amazingly, he ran out a 21-18 winner.

Both the semi-final matches had also been very close games with Merry beating Anthony Thompson 21-18 and Fitzpatrick only just pipping his teammate Mathew Gilmore by the closest of margins.

Results: Quarter-finals: M Gilmore 21, L Henderson 18; J Fitzpatrick 21, G Lynch Jnr 16; A Thompson 21, J Hignett Jnr 18; G Merry 21, D Morrison 19.

Semi-finals: Fitzpatrick 21, Gilmore 20; Merry 21, Thompson 18.

Final: Fitzpatrick 21, Merry 18.

On Sunday, Wallasey Association Individual Merit Tournament was played on greens in Central Park. It was good to see a reasonable turnout of players and though there was heavy rain just before play got underway the games were able to start on time and the conditions got better through the day.

After some exciting games the final was between Queens Royal’s Paul Saville and last week’s winner Jamie Fitzpatrick. It was Saville who started the stronger and he raced into a huge 18-07 lead but, just as he had done the previous week Fitzpatrick began to fight back and it was a very relieved Paul Saville who finally clinched a 21-17 win. The second time he had taken this prize.

In the semi-finals Saville had beaten last year’s winner Craig Saville in a really thrilling contest while Fitzpatrick had been just a little too good for Les Henderson.

Results: Quarter-finals: L Henderson 21, S Wharton Jnr 18; J Fitzpatrick 21, W Atkinson 18; P Saville 21, T Walker 18; C Saville 21, I Mitchell 18.

Semi-finals: Fitzpatrick 21, Henderson 17; P. Saville 21, C. Saville 20.

Final: Saville 21, Fitzpatrick. 17.

Next weekend, Sunday, May 15, the focus of attention is the two British Parks CGBA Senior County games.

The Wallasey team take on Cheshire with the home game being played on the green at New Brighton Cricket Club.

While the Birkenhead and District team are playing North Staffordshire with the home game taking place at Tixall BC. Both games get underway at 2pm and both teams would welcome as much support as possible.

At the same time, the Wirral Junior County team are also playing a game against the juniors of North Staffordshire. This match is being played on the green at the Pensby Bowling Club.

This Saturday, May 14, the Wirral Junior Merit Tournament is taking place, also at the Pensby Club and this has an 11am start.

Players must have been aged under-18 on December 31, 2010. Any junior wishing to take part can turn up on the day or they should ring Mo or John Evans on 643 8779.

The Wallasey Association Cup Final between Bronze and Royden Hall is being played this Thursday, May 12, on the green at Manor Road, with a 6.30pm start.

It is still very early in the season but after the first few games West Kirby Victoria again lead the way in the Wallasey Association First Division.

In the Bebington League it is Oxton Cons who head the First Division while in the Birkenhead and Wirral League’s First Division four teams are still undefeated; Gladstone, Tixall, Heswall RBL and West Kirby Victoria.