GARETH Jones was crowned BIG Smash Bowls League champion after an impressive Grand Final triumph over Roy Moxham.

Victory also means Jones is the first player to complete a BIG Smash double, having won the main event last year – a great achievement against some high-class opposition.

After seven weeks of fixtures and some dramatic matches, The BIG Smash League reached its climax with Grand Finals Night.

This brought together the top four finishers in the league – Jones, Moxham, Andy Thornton and Liam Howard.

In addition, the bottom two finishers, Barry Lowden and Simon Perry, were battling for the right to stay in the competition.

First up saw the first play-off semi-final take place between Moxham and Thornton.

With Moxham being one of the most consistent bowlers in the area and Thornton having led the BIG Smash League for the majority of the season, this was always going to be a great tussle.

It was Thornton who started the game well, but Moxham gradually pegged him back to earn a great 17-12 comeback victory and seal a place in the final.

Next up it was second-versus-third as Howard battled it out with Jones, and it was Jones who produced some fantastic woods to triumph by a 17-10 margin.

The relegation battle between Perry and Lowden saw the latter win 18-12, which means he keeps his place in the tournament for 2018, while Perry will have to play in the qualifying rounds.

Then came the climax of the competition, with Jones taking on Moxham in a thrilling final. Jones hit top form from the very start and raced into a 13-3 lead. Moxham tried desperately to stay in the game but Jones maintained his advantage, and with the score at 18-10 he claimed the single he needed to be crowned champion.

A statement from the The BIG Smash team read: “We would like to thank all the players for their great play and attitude during the season, it has been fantastic and will get better and bigger in 2018 with the inclusion of eight new players to take to the total to 16.”

Thanks also go to the following sponsors for their support: Ross Estate Agencies, The Old Vicarage, Drakes Pride, Andy Rigg Carpets, MGL Group, Paul Rawlinson, Driving Sales, Piping Hot Plumbing And Heating, Cumbria Training Centre, The Clarence, Joe Murphy Flooring, Auto Diesel Technics, South Lakes Lettings, Charnleys Home And Garden.