DREAMS of an historic cup double were shattered for the City of Ely Bowls Club at the weekend as they lost the Denny Cup final in a dramatic final end. Ely have been in scintillating form this season, brushing all aside in their quest for double cup glory

DREAMS of an historic cup double were shattered for the City of Ely Bowls Club at the weekend as they lost the Denny Cup final in a dramatic final end.

Ely have been in scintillating form this season, brushing all aside in their quest for double cup glory but they fell agonisingly short against defending champions Cumbria, in a game that came down to the very last shot.

A dramatic finals day began with Ely competing against Bristol in the semis and registering a convincing win by 94 shots to 64 to set up a final with three-time champions Cumbria.

After a closely fought match the final reached its climax after all of the rinks bar one had completed their matches with the scores level at 80 shots each.

On the very last end Andrew Easy's rink was two shots down with the Ely skip having a single remaining bowl. With the crowd on their feet Easy drove at the head and the jack flew off the rink to take the match into an extra end.

With the championship hanging in the balance Stuart Seymour, opened brilliantly with two bowls virtually touching the jack. Close bowls followed until Andrew Ware drove the jack into the ditch.

Steve Farish, for Cumbria, dropped his first bowl a yard short but held shot. Farish then delivered a near perfect shot finishing only 18 inches short of the ditch. Ely now required a minor miracle to save the match and lift the trophy.

Easy's deciding bowl seemed to be on a perfect line and length as it rolled towards the ditch and with both sets of supporters holding their breath it seemed like an eternity before it finally came to rest two inches short. Cumbria therefore took a single shot and won the cup for the third successive season.