THE final of the annual Alexandra Classic, sponsored by Star Bars and Clubs, certainly lived up to its title after Harry Hargreaves won a thrilling showdown with Andrew Judson.

The Darwen bowler came out on top in a final that went to 48 ends and lasted nearly an hour - a marathon contest in crown green bowling terms - as he edged a 31-30 victory at the Blackburn club.

Hargreaves, who plays for Darwen Subscription Club, was making his first appearance in the final of a competition that has been running for the last 28 years while Judson, from Shrewsbury, was making his Classic debut.

The final was the culmination of a day of superb bowling at Dukes Brown despite some difficult conditions on a wet green.

And the best was certainly saved until last it what proved to be a real nip and tuck affair.

Hargreaves was always ahead - but by no more than the four points he led by when leading 11-4 - until Judson took the lead for the first time at 30-29 on the penultimate end to move to 'match point'.

But Hargreaves, who bowled superbly throughout the competition, gained two chalks on what proved to be the 48th and final end to clinch a dramatic victory.

"It was one of the best finals I have seen, both as a player and an organiser," said Gary Fleming who has run the event for the last eight years. "It was a very cagey final, very nip and tuck. Harry was always ahead but only by one or two then it looked like Andrew was going to nick it right at the end.

"But fair play to Harry, he showed his skill to take two on the final end to win. He deserved it because he bowled superbly and had some real battles on the day."

Hargreaves was certainly made to work for his inaugural Classic title.

Having reached finals day from the third of the four qualifying events, he was pushed all the way by Malcolm Wensley of Ribblesdale Wanderers BC, Clitheroe, in the quarter finals, eventually winning 31-25.

His semi final with Darwen Subs team-mate Peter Renwick was even closer as he secured another 31-30 - one of three games that went to the maximum score.

Judson progress to the final was slightly more routine, beating Rochdale's Alan Lancaster 31-16 in the quarter finals and Ryan Goodman from East Lancs Bowling Club.

Goodman reached the semi finals after beating Phil Cookson from Winsford 31-21 while Renwick booked his place in the last four after beating former Classic winner Geoff Hilton from Bolton 31-30.

Hargreaves' heroics earned him the £400 winners prize fund with Judson picking up £200 as runners-up. The semi finalist received £100 and £50 for the quarter finalists.

Results - quarter finals: Harry Hargreaves 31-25 Malcolm Wensley, Peter Renwick 31-30 Geoff Hilton, Ryan Goodman 31-21 Phil Cookson, Andrew Judson 31-16 Alan Lancaster.

Semi finals: Harry Hargreaves 31-30 Peter Renwick, Andrew Judson 31-19 Ryan Goodman.

Final: Harry Hargreaves 31-30 Andrew Judson.

Qualifiers

Saturday, July 18: A Judson 31-21 L Longland,W Usher 31-21 D Waqlker, H Hargreaves 31-27 C Bly, C Wraight 31-26 D Fisher,.

Second round: H Hargreaves 31-16 C Wraight, A Judson 31-19 W Usher.

Sunday, July 19: A Lancaster 31-23 N Fryer, P Sutcliffe 31-14 K Thompson, P Cookson 31-22 J Hanson, D Butler 31-29 M Pye.

Second Round P Cookson 31-21 D Butler, A Lancaster 31-30 P Sutcliffe,

Saturday, July 11: C Ramell (Great Harwood) 29-31 P Renwick(Blackburn), D Parkinson (Burnley) 31-27 J Walker(Blackburn), A Harrison(Burnley) 31-24 G Downs, R Goodman (Blackburn) 31-16 P Brett (Blackburn),

Second round: R Goodman 31-30 A Harrison, P Renwick 31-13 D Parkinson.

Sunday, July 12: G Hilton (Bolton) 31-24 B Topham (Blackburn), E Doogan (Blackburn) 31-28 V O Donnel (Blackburn), M Wensley (Clitheroe) 31-21 R Jordan (Manchester), P Hawkes (Preston) 22-31 G Pilkington (Farrington).

Second round: G Hilton 31-29 E Doogan, M Wensley 31-15 G Pilkington.