Subscription are the tops
Last updated 11:36, Thursday, 08 May 2008
CUMBRIA’S two strongest clubs met in round one of the national Top Club competition at Subscription when Wigton were the visitors.
Not surprisingly it proved to be a close encounter with the home side, that came close to ultimate success last year, getting home 3-2.
In the two wood singles there was a repeat of the indoor club final when Danny May met Stephen Green and the form was confirmed with May winning 17-11.
In the four wood singles Stephen Farish got off to a flyer against Neil Karge and led 14-4 at one point but Karge improved as the game went on and two excellent last bowls towards the end of their game which produced seven shots saw him reduce the deficit to 19-17.
Farish however held on well to win 21-17 to level the scores. In the pairs Chris Bowe and Paul Barlow held a narrow advantage midway against Ken Johnston and Ian Gallagher but the home pair finished the stronger to win 17-11.
After a fairly even opening to the fours Subscription took command from halfway and they scored a comfortable win to ensure the home side ‘s victory. The triples was an absorbing encounter with John Baird, Richard Chandler and Stuart Airey at one point threatening to run away with the game against Ian Wells, Ron Gass and John bell but the Wigton trio battled determinedly and in the end came out on top with a gritty four shot victory.
Carliol League: Dalston made a good start to their campaign when beating West End 10-0. Brampton also got off to a flyer when beating Courtfield 8-2 at River Street while British Rail edged out Edenside 6-4 at Gilford Park. Holme Head went down to Stanwix but only narrowly at 6-4.
In the Over 60s, West End head the table on 16 points following their 8-2 win at Brampton and are pursued by Subscription and Stanwix. Subscription took nine of the ten points at Dalston while Stanwix won 6-4 at Courtfield. Linton won 7-3 at Currock while Edenside won their game at Wetheral 6-4.
Roland Starkie Fours: Now in its thirtieth season The May Day Tournament enjoyed one of its best ever days weather wise and over 150 players took part in what is generally regarded as the seasons opening event.
Full results will appear next week though Peter Angood of Stanwix and Joe Douglas of Dalston were successful at Courtfield and John McGree of Courtfield and Jack Warren of British Rail were the qualifiers at Dalston.
Under 25 Double Rink: Cumbria are the current national champions and start the defence of their title on Sunday May 18 at Wigton Park when Durham provide the first round opposition.
The selected side is Kevin Harrison, Stephen Green, Mark Irwin and Danny May and David Forster, John Fieldhouse, Scott Beattie and Stuart Bowman with David Pattinson as reserve. The game commences at 2.00pm.
nIF like me you are concerned at the growing number of straight bowls which have come into the game you will be pleased to hear that, as a result of representations by Cumbria’s County Executive Committee, Tony Allcock of Bowls England has written to Gary Smith the Chief Executive of World Bowls to express the concerns of bowlers regarding this problem.
