Bowls By David Taylor

Last updated 13:34, Friday, 16 May 2008

DALSTON have taken top spot in the Thursday Carliol League after an 8-2 win at Edenside and a 10-0 home win over Holme Head on Tuesday.

British Rail who were in top spot have slipped to second after losing to last year’s champions Subscription 7-3 on Tuesday.

After a stuttering start Courtfield picked up maximum points against Stanwix and move into fifth place while Brampton remain in third despite losing 6-4 at West End.

In the Over-60s West End won 8-2 at Dalston and lead the table having secured 24 points from their first three games.

They have a three point lead from Subscription who beat Stanwix 6-4. Stanwix and Edenside who won 8-2 at Linton are vying for third place a further four points adrift.

Currock suffered an 8-2 home defeat at the hands of Wetheral while Courtfield sneaked home 6-4 against Brampton.

Edenside’s Junior Singles for the Gordon Willie Hodgson Memorial Trophy took place last week and there was some good play from the youngsters.

Courtfield’s Stuart Wilkinson saw off the challenge of home player William Brand and in the second round produced an excellent performance to beat Middleton player Kevin Harrison of Aspatria, scoring two singles to level the game and then winning the extra end.

Matthew Hodgson built up a useful lead against Rachel Forster but with victory in sight he faltered and Rachel picked up a four and a single to take the game 10-9.

Matthew’s brother Mark was another player to score a good win his victory coming against David Pattinson 11-6.

Vicky Forster made a good start against John Fieldhouse and held on well to win 11-5 before going on to beat Luke Targett 11-9 in the next round.

In the semi-finals Stuart Wilkinson showed that his earlier victories were no fluke when beating Rachel Forster 8-6 while Mark Hodgson made it an all boys final when beating Vicky Forster 10-7.

In the final Maryport’s Mark Hodgson made much the better start and soon led 7-1.

Wilkinson was unable to pull back the lead and Hodgson lifted the trophy 11-4.

Edenside President David Sparrow presented the prizes and congratulated the players on their performances.

If you want to see some Junior National Champions on view pop along to Wigton Park on Sunday afternoon when Cumbria’s Under-25 Double Rink side begins the defence of the title which was won at Worthing last year.

Durham provides the first round opposition and the game commences at 2pm.

The team is Kevin Harrison, Stephen Green, Mark Irwin, Danny May; David Forster, Jonathon Fieldhouse, Scott Beattie, Stuart Bowman.

Despite one or two late withdrawals tournament organiser Cyril Atkinson still managed a good field for this 30th running of the May Day Fours.

Played in excellent weather conditions, the last sixteen in draw order are as follows: J Coward Dalston v P Angood Stanwix; W Bracken Friars v J Carr Aspatria; J McGree Courtfield v G Allan Silloth; A Ross Whitehaven v P Bannister Croft; A Prince Whitehaven v S Walker Whitehaven; A Swindle Temple Sowerby v R Dent Appleby; J Warren Br Rail v H Parker Silloth; P Holland Lazonby v I Johnston Dalston.

These ties to be played on or before June 10.

In the Top Club Appleby made progress when beating Whitehaven 3-2. Silloth scored a comfortable 4-1 win over Egremont and Aspatria won their game against Seascale by the same margin. Aspatria was also successful when beating Whitehaven 37-31 in the Two Fours.

In the Senior Pairs Keith Tomlinson beat Danny Bradburn 21-12 and David Stanton was on the winning side when beating Jim Lewthwaite 22-10.

There have been four ties completed in the Champion of Champions. Stephen Farish accounted for Ken Johnston 21-13 while John Baird who was representing Shap beat his Carlisle Subscription Club mate Rick Gallagher 21-19.

Maryport’s Matthew Hodgson made Noel Christopher battle all the way before going down 21-19 and Paul Bannister also had a battle against Arnold Wilson before winning 21-18.

Wigton Bowls Club staged their annual invitation triples on Sunday and 32 teams took part.

The winners were Ged Laverick, Robin Thorburn and Ron McMath who beat Kirkbride’s Tony Graham in the final.

Losing semi-finalists were Rick Gallagher of Subscription and Paul Wallace of Silloth.

The Plate was won by Aspatria’s Kevin Harrison, Mark Irwin and Stuart Irwin who beat Silloth’s Graeme Batey in the final. Losing semi-finalists were Dave Bedlington of Wigton Park and John Lowther of Keswick.

Wigton’s popular Top Nine commences on Sunday and there are six teams taking part. Cockermouth Croft, Keswick Fitz Park, Seascale and Cleator Moor take to the green at 9.30am and will be joined by Gretna and Hartlepool at 11am.