THE annual Pendle Parks Bowling Championship came close to being a family affair...but not quite!

For husband and wife Jack and Irene Cunningham both reached the finals only to lose out while eventual men's winner Paul Edmondson missed out on a semi final showdown with son Jonathan.

The tournament brought together the best 16 men and ladies Pendle Parks bowlers to fight it out on finals day of the long running competition.

Edmondson senior of Victoria Bowling Club, Nelson won the men's competition after a hard fought 21-15 victory against Marsden Park's Jack Cunningham.

Edmondson booked his place in the final after beating Norman Beesley of Brierfield 21-13 -- the player who narrowly beat Edmondson junior 21-19 in the quarter final.

The youngster was the youngest player in the final and lost out on the last end of his quarter final clash.

Jack Cunningham made the final thanks to a 21-15 win against Tom Whittaker in his semi final.

But like his wife Irene, Jack had to make do with the runners-up spot.

Irene appeared to be in top form going into the final and beat Pat Allen 21-16 of Colne Parks in the last four.

Olive Cronshaw made the final thanks to a fine 21-10 victory against Barbara Robinson of Victoria Park.

However, in the final Cronshaw was in unbeatable form and beat Cunningham 21-6.

The finals day was the culmination of a series of qualifying matches at all of the Pendle Parks clubs.

Each club then sent their representatives to the final at Alkincoats Park to determine who the overall winners would be.

Unfortunately for the Cunninghams it wasn't to be their year!

The Des Lancaster Memorial Shield will take place at Foulridge on October 6/7.