Harrogate Bowling

Pairs Merit Week

Black Swan’s Dave Rowson and Chaz Charleton lifted the Harrogate Pairs Merit title in fine style this week.

They opened the quarter final match against Bilton WMC pair Derrick Fox and Alan Rothery. Getting off to a storming start they went 10-1 up after the first 5 ends. It was a start the clubmen struggled to counter as the Swan pair ran out 21-5.

Josh Coker and Stephen Walker made a dynamic start in their first major finals event together. Playing with confidence and skill they were soon in a commanding 10-3 lead over Bardsey’s Alan Baldwin and Ray Milner. The experienced Bardsey pair slowly started to pull things back though bringing the lead down to 14-9. They then went on a terrific break of 10 chalks over 4 ends to take firm control of the game at 19-14. Coker & Walker fought to the end but the Bardsey men held on to win 21-16.

Wayside’s Chris Rigby and Mark Reynolds were up next against Swan’s Dave Hodgson and Richard Hebblewhite. Rigby & Reynolds got their noses well in front with a great start that saw them take a 15 chalk lead that went unanswered. With things looking bleak Hodgson & Hebblewhite rallied together to pull off a great run that saw them win 7 of the next 8 ends and pull the match back to 17-12. Rigby & Reynolds killed the game off scoring 4 chalks on the final end to secure their semi final place.

Phil English and Peter Nacey got off to a flyer in their game against Starbeck’s hotshots Cory McLeod and Alex Wolfenden. With English leading with pinpoint accuracy the Swan men took an early 9-2 lead. In a great run the Starbeck lad’s took 8 of the next 9 ends to edge clear 13-11. The game then swung back and too until 19 across. With two singles it was McLeod and Wolfenden who secured a fine win.

It was neck and neck in the first semi final between Rowson\Charlton and Baldwin\Milner all the way to 12 across. The Swan pair scored a vital 4 chalks followed by a 2 to take advantage. It was an advantage they maintained right through to the end gaining a good 21-15 victory.

It was soon clear in the second semi between Rigby\Reynolds and McLeod\Wolfenden that both pairing’s were favouring a long corner to corner mark across the Almscliffe green. An early 7-2 advantage for the Wayside team was soon turned around bringing the game back to 8-8. Rigby\Reynolds got their noses in front once again going 14-10 ahead but the Beck boys pulled together a good break of 7 taking a 17-14 lead.

With a single chalk win the Waysiders got the Jack back in their hands. In a terrific finale both McLeod and Wolfenden showed great skill to take 4 chalks and the game 21-15.

In the Final Rowson\Charleton again got off to an excellent start taking control of the game and building a good lead. Wolfenden finally found his length however taking the Jack and allowing his partner McLeod to finally get into the game. Leading well the Beck team fought back to get themselves right back in it and set up a tense last few ends. With everything to play for it was the Swan pair who held their composure

In the Challenge Cup Semi Finals Wayside progressed after a tense and exciting match against Bilton Dragon. With the last 4 games to play Dragon held a slender 1 chalk lead. Every game was close with both Wayside and Dragon constantly taking the lead from each other. With 3 games still playing Wayside had gained a slender 3 chalk lead. Going right to the last end just got themselves over the line with a 21-20 and two 21-19 hard fought victories. It was great credit to both teams for a fantastic match that could have gone either way.

In the second semi final Wetherby put up a good fight against Black Swan with Irene Burke bowling exceptionally well to gain a great win. Sitting top of both the 1st and 2ND Divisions however Black Swan have been in great form all season and proved too strong running out well deserved winners in the end.