THE Borough of Croydon Bowling Association celebrated its 75th anniversary with an 18-team competition for member club officers on Monday.

Croydon BC, the host club for the day, was one of the founder members of the BCBA in 1935.

The Association had as its guest of honour the Deputy Mayor of Croydon councillor Susan Winborn and her husband Allan Winborn.

Warlingham Park held a slender early advantage by the lunch break as the only team to have won all their matches.

The challenge to Warlingham's lead came in the form of winning runs by Croydon BC, Purley Bury and the BCBA Past Presidents.

It was Croydon who went closest to overhauling Park when they levelled the scores at 13 points each, the other challengers being pipped by a single point on 12. Park won with a shot difference of 33.

At the presentation dinner the Deputy Mayor congratulated Warlingham president Kevin McNamee and his team on a fine day's bowling, before handing them the BCBA 75th Anniversary plaque.

President Mark Miles gave an account of the history of the BCBA and mentioned well known bowlers of yesteryear who played a major part in the administration and success of the association.

A special tribute was paid to one of the players Ray Hambling, a past president who had served the association for over 20 years as an officer and had played over 400 games for the BCBA.