Last updated 11:49, Thursday, 18 September 2008

CARLISLE SUBSCRIPTION’S Mark Nanson is Cumbria’s new Champion of Champions.

Just champion: Mark Nanson

Nanson won the title at Edenside when he beat Ken Johnston of Stanwix the 1989 Champion.

The win ended a long barren spell for the Subscription Club which last won the title some 35 years ago courtesy of Jimmy Bell.

Nanson was in good form throughout the two day event scoring an easy win over Dalston’s Steven Watson at Appleby before beating Wigton’s Stephen Farish 21-11 in his second game. In the semi-final at Edenside he made a great start against Frank Wilson of Longtown who to his credit battled all the way after going 9-0 down.

The game was evenly contested after that, there being just those nine shots in it at the end. In the final Nanson continued in fine form and with Johnston unable to reproduce his previous form he went on to score a comfortable final win to take the title. The other beaten semi-finalist was Ian Williams of Workington.

COUNTY FINALS: In other finals played at Edenside on the same day the county mixed pairs title went to Lewis and Sandra Parker of Silloth.

The Silloth pair lost out in the final in 2006 but made no mistake on this occasion when accounting for Barbara Hamill and John Hodkin in the final. The Seasiders got off to a great start and by just after halfway had a double figure lead which they never looked likely to relinquish and eventually ran out comfortable winners.

In the Secretary’s Singles County President Anthony Little rounded off his season in style when taking the title for the third time though his opponent Colin Hartness of Currock put up a bold show after a slow start before going down 21-13.

In the final of the Restricted Singles, formerly the Unbadged Singles, Wigton Park’s Joe Coulthard made a good start but Brampton’s Chris Allason gradually found his form and eight shots in just three ends mid way through the game saw him overhaul his opponent to go on and take the title by 21 shots to 15.

PBA QUALIFIERS: Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club has been staging the World Bowls Tours PBA Qualifiers and this who have taken the time to visit the have been treated to a feast of singles play.

Many of the names will be unfamiliar to most bowlers but there has been some tremendous quality play equal to anything that you will see later in the season when the actual WBT Singles events are televised.

As well as good play there was of course quite a bit of local interest and that interest was sustained until late on Monday evening when Trevor Taylor who played a major part in getting these qualifiers here at Carlisle gained reward for his efforts, and some reasonable bowls as well, by qualifying for the International Open.

After a preliminary win on Saturday Trevor began his campaign at 1.00pm on Monday and had to battle his way through five stamina-sapping games before earning his place in front of the cameras. Who says bowls is an old mans game.

Stuart Airey raised hopes of further success on Tuesday but went down in the quarter final on the three end tie break to Alan Theobold of Stanley IBC.

This is the first time that the PBA Qualifiers have been staged here in Carlisle but the event has been a great success thanks to the work of the club staff and of course a small but enthusiastic band of members who have assisted in all sorts of tasks to ensure that the event has run smoothly and been a credit to the club itself.

Those who perform such tasks are often forgotten but they are undoubtedly the backbone of any good club and once again they have come up trumps here in Carlisle.

Incidentally, anyone who has been unable to see any of this weeks play will have another chance on the last week-end this month when the world qualifiers take place here in Carlisle on Saturday and Sunday 27 and 28.

TONY BROADBENT: Dalston Bowls Club lost one its stalwarts with the death of Tony Broadbent last week.

Tony was a former County Outdoor President and for some time was also involved in the County Indoor Association as well as being a grand servant to the Dalston Club itself where his presence will undoubtedly be missed.

CBA LUNCHEON: Eric Johnston has asked me to remind all bowlers that the County Luncheon will be taking place in Shepherds Inn on Saturday October 11th at noon.

Tickets priced £14 are available from Eric and should be ordered by the end of this month. The Luncheon is open to everyone.