WOODPECKERS are champions of Wellington Bowling Club’s Weekend Triples League after a thrilling finish to the competition.

All six teams in the league had only one game left to play with the battle on for first and second place. Who would be champions?

Woodpeckers came into their last game with 30 points, just one ahead of Southsiders who had 29. Woodpeckers knew they had to win their match to be sure of becoming this year's champions and Southsiders had to win theirs and hope the Woodies lost.

The first game was between Southsiders and fourth placed New Rollers. Phil Hutchings, Angie Moore and skip Tony Woollard's Southsiders had a difficult job on their hands. Chris Johns, Paul Mitchell and skip Martin Speakman's Rollers were no pushover at the best of times.

In the third end the Rollers were holding three shots when Southies' skip Tony Woollard came to the mat and fired! He hit the jack and knocked it back among his team's bowls to pick up a huge six shots. Southies won the game by ifve, 13 – 8.

Woodpeckers played in the second game. They knew Southsiders had won their match so it was vital they win theirs. Sue Channon, Tony Jennings and skip Nick Channon's Woodpeckers set off at a good pace and led 12 – 1 after five ends but Pat Bridger, Dave Bridger and skip Ian Stewart's Skylarks fought back to level it at 13 all with two to play.

Four vital shots in the last two ends gave victory and the championship to Woodpeckers 17 – 13.

The final game saw Les Hubbard, Jane Hubbard and skip Martyn Beed's Ninchers play Paul Kelsall, Suzanne Worth and skip Shirley Samuel's Allstars in a competitive game which Allstars won comfortably 21 – 8.

Everyone congratulated Woodpeckers on becoming this season's Weekend Triples Champions.