Both are previous Black Opal winners.

Lambourne's team took out the title in 2000, Sherriff's team won it in 2002, then Lambourne beat him in 2003 to once again claim the prize money.

"I'm sick of looking at his ugly head," Sherriff joked during the final on Friday afternoon before Lambourne shot back, "So it's our turn to win then?"

In the end, though, it was Sherriff's team which carried the day with a convincing 22 to 9 victory that caused Lambourne to concede defeat three ends short of the finish.

Sherriff and his teammates, Eddie Knight, Pat Reynolds and Henry Gordon, claimed $10,000 for their victory.

Lambourne and his team of Denis Dalton, Simon Mitchell and Greg Lambourne got $4000 for second place.

The $2000 prizes for third and fourth place went to teams lead by Jeff Dolan and Roger Henson, while the consolation prize was taken out by equal winners Peter Bevan and Lindsey Williams.

Bowling Club president Peter Williams was extremely pleased with this year's tournament.

"It's been a wonderful success, this one always is," he said.

He was also impressed by the standard of play.

"It was a good, even competition in the sectional play. In most sections it went right down to the last game before we could see who was going to go through."

The Black Opal Classic is the major event on the Lightning Ridge calendar and it draws players from all over NSW and Queensland.

They come to party as much as play bowls and the club was busy all week.

"It's been a pretty full-on week,'' Mr Williams said.

"Everybody joins in the spirit of the event and everybody left happy, wanting to come back next year."