JONATHAN Lacey proved that you don’t have to be the most experienced bowler to triumph.

The 20-year-old Gaghills bowler proved to be just too good for the rest after winning the Jimmy Jowett Memorial Knockout Tournament at Queens Park.

A total of 24 bowlers took part in the competition held at the Burnley venue but it was Lacey who reigned supreme after beating David Ashworth of Lowerhouse in a final that paired the competition’s two best bowlers.

But despite Ashworth being in fine form on his march to the final he just could not deal with the in-form Lacey in the East Lancashire Saturday Bowling League event as he sealed a 21-13 victory.

“It was fitting that both of the finalists happened to be the best bowlers throughout the tournament and reached the final playing fantastically well,” said tournament spokesman Peter Taylor.

“David Ashworth had played some brilliant bowls to reach the final but Jonathan Lacey was the most outstanding bowler in the competition.

“Jonathan saved his best bowls for the final and no matter what David threw at him he could not get the better of him throughout the final.

“Jonathan was on the block (jack) and he very rarely wasted a bowl, so it was no surprise that he won the final.”

Lacey was given a tough opening encounter when he beat Mark Worgan from St Andrew’s 21-15 in what proved to be a testing game.

Reigning champion Brian Smith from Lowerhouse booked his place in the quarter finals with a narrow 21-20 win over George Isherwood from Queen’s Park.

Causeway bowler Lisa Harrison staged a remarkable comeback to beat Philip Johnson of Briercliffe 21-20 to also reach the last eight.

The tension cranked up a notch in the quarter finals and there was some intriguing match ups.

Lacey once again had to be on top form to beat Lowerhouse bowler Ian Beecroft in another close match 21-16.

Champion Smith moved smoothly into the last four with another win over a Queens Park player, this time it was Alan Walsh who was dispatched 21-13,

Harrison, who showed her fighting spirit in the last 16 clash, had a more of a routine victory this time around as she eased to a 21-9 win over Michael Ashworth of Lowerhouse.

And David Ashworth, who had been going along very nicely and been playing some very good bowls in the competition completed the semi final line-up when he beat Briercliffe’s Ian Paton 21-11.

In the semi finals Lacey put on a brilliant display to beat the holder and former three times winner Smith 21-13.

In the other semi final, Ashworth was also in fine form to beat Harrison 21-9.

But despite that fine form in the earlier rounds, he had no answer to the bowling of Lacey who deservedly got his hands on the trophy.