Bowls By David Taylor

Last updated at 12:36, Thursday, 10 July 2008

DESPITE the desperate conditions when Saturday’s Middleton Cup game against Northumberland started, Cumbria proved too strong for their nearest pursuers.

Ian Gallagher

Cumbria won this northern group game 18-4 and by 44 shots overall. Needing only to keep the game close to earn a quarter-final place, Cumbria were not troubled by a side which is presently the only real challenger in the northern area.

Having said that, whether a side which is 44 shots behind can be called a real challenger has to be open to question.

It was not all plain sailing. Andrew Baxter, who came back to this level as a replacement skip for the injured Stephen Farish, found the going more difficult than in the Armstrong Trophy side and though rallying after a bad start he was still nine shots adrift of Northumberland team manager Chris Palmer.

John Bell also found the going tough after a series of good results, going down by seven to Craig Cooper. Other than those two results it was win win all the way.

Ian Gallagher was in impressive form against Paul Ging and a second end count of seven was a foretaste of what was to follow as he won 33-12 while Ben Sherwen was also in good form beating Robert Chisholm 29-11.

Stuart Airey continued his good run in beating Stephen Harvey by 13 and the result was completed when Rick Gallagher accounted for Tony Kempster by eight. Another good result particularly in the rain and gusty conditions and Cumbria remains one of only a small number of counties who still look capable of lifting the Middleton Cup.

In the semi-final, which is to be played at Kirbymoorside on Saturday week, Cumbria meet Nottingham in what should be an interesting encounter and I think we can come out on top once more.

At Workington, Cumbria’s hopes of taking a hand in the finish of the Alsop Trophy depended on obtaining a good result against Northumberland but it was not to be.

There was not a lot between the sides, just 11 shots at the end, but the ten points were vital and with Cumbria losing on three rinks Northumberland took the game 16-6 which puts them in an unassailable position 30 points ahead of Cumbria.

For the record, Peter Metcalf, Jim Hynds and Peter Irving came out on top while Peck Orchard, Rupert Cox and Alan McGuiness succumbed.

Cumbria still has a chance in the Armstrong Trophy and the result of Saturday’s game against league leaders Yorkshire at Courtfield is likely to have a significant effect on the eventual winter home for the Armstrong Trophy.

Cumbria is seven points adrift of the Tykes but a comprehensive victory would put us right back into the running and it certainly should not be beyond what is a good side.

The fours championship has now reached the semi-final stage and the two games will take place at Wigton Park next Monday evening.

Subscription’s Michael Downie meets Croft’s Paul Bannister while Richard Chandler of Subscription, current national and British Isles Champions will play Workington’s George Brewer.

In the Pairs championship David Forster will play Craig Docherty and this game is scheduled for Dalston next Thursday. The other game between Rick Gallagher and Mark Nanson will be played on Tuesday at Wigton.

Brampton are currently being shown as league leaders but the fact that Subscription’s latest result has not been received means that it has not been possible to formulate an accurate league table.

Publicity for the league continues to rely on the clubs who take part and if information is not received then the league suffers.

In the Friday league Stanwix keep up the pressure on league leaders Dalston after beating Courtfield 10-0. Dalston however stay top after winning 8-2 at Subscription but West End slipped up when beaten 6-4 at home by Brampton.

Edenside scored a welcome 7-3 win over Wetheral while Linton won the battle at the lower end of the league, winning 6-4 against Currock.

Cumbria v Yorkshire, Armstrong Trophy, Saturday July 12, 2pm Courtfield: L Baxter, G Allan, L Parker, A Baxter; R Baxter, M Bowman, J Fieldhouse, D Baxter; Mk Hodgson, G Shepherd, B Warren, V Emmerson; Mt Hodgson, A Hocking, J Barber, R Phillips. Reserves: A Newstead, JD Park.

First published at 11:40, Thursday, 10 July 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk