Harrogate Bowling

Week 3 Report

The first honours of the season go to Collingham as they lift the England Cup after an exciting encounter against Starbeck.

Derrick Bellamy and Iain Campbell got them underway with two wins but Karen McLeod and Mike Hine responded for Starbeck to keep things close at the half way mark. Terry Mitton got the middle order off to a good start for Starbeck but Eric Gomerson and Philip Skelton put in two strong displays for Collingham. With the score now standing at 125 each, it was down to the wire in the last game as Collingham skipper Lorraine Poulson took on Starbeck’s up and coming young star Jon Lynch.

Lynch made a good start but couldn’t take any advantage over Poulson as the Jack changed hands constantly over the first half. On a smooth running Wayside green, it was Poulson who finally found a consistent lead to apply the pressure and take control of the game. Bowling exceptionally well she left little room for Lynch who despite battling to the very end and running every wood home could not respond to Poulson’s dominance. In true Captain’s style Poulson led her team on to a 146-136 victory and well deserved cup winners. President Derrick Fox presented the cup and congratulated all bowlers on an excellent display.

Black Swan ensured they remain 3 points clear at the top of Division 1 with an exceptional 9-1 over Bilton WMC. Paul Birtwhistle 21-1, Martin Hemmingway 21-5 and Alan Whittaker 21-5 doing the the damage in a very pleasing home win over normally very strong opposition.

Wayside put last week’s defeat behind them with a commanding home display against Starbeck. Stalwarts Gordon Flower 21-5 and Brian Walker 21-7 dominated once again. It was a home derby down at Knaresborough as the Tigers took on the Lions. All games were well tight with both team’s taking four games apiece. By just four Chalks it was the Lions however that took the aggregate and a 6-4 win.

Dacre Eagles were pleased with their 5 winners over Bilton Centurions. The Centurions battled on however and helped by Carol Sunter 21-6 they eventually done enough to win the aggregate and again a final 5-5 draw. Nigel Swainson 21-6 got Low Harrogate off to a good start against Bardsey. Despite finding the green difficult going Bardsey pulled back to gain a 7-3 win.

In Division 2 Karen Bishop 21-4, John Small 21-5 and Chris Light 21-8 ensured a 6-4 win for Bilton Sparans over Almscliffe Climbers. Wayside Wanderers were pleased with their 8-2 win over Low Harrogate B after wins for Sue Richmond 21-5 and Cedric Cockcroft 21-6. Terry Prince was Tewitt Well’s best player of the night winning 21-9.

Pateley Bridge put themselves in the top three after beating Collingham 7-3. Jenny Kirkbright 21-4 and Tom Shardlow 21-7 put in the best performances of the evening. Wetherby gained 3 winners in their home tie against Bilton Trojans but a 21-5 win for Linda Mokes ensured the aggregate and a 5-5 draw.

Dacre Falcons dominated their Division 3 tie with an 8-2 win over Pateley. Ray Swires 21-6 and Athol Hill 21-7 bowled very well for Dacre. Harold Holdsworth 21-8 was Pateley’s best competitor. Bilton WMC proved too strong for Wayside Rangers as Ray Carrick 21-4 led them to an 8-2 win. It was the same margin for Knaresborough Badgers as they beat Starbeck. Dave Roger 21-5 and Alan Walker 21-6 were excellent at home with John Johnson 21-8 getting Starbeck’s best win of the night. It was a good win for Boston Spa away to Almscliffe 7-3. John Kinroy 21-9 won well matched only by Gaynor Olding for Almscliffe. Max Dodd 21-8 was the best bowler of the evening as Bilton Athenians beat Wetherby 8-2.

In Division 4 there was a good 8-2 win for Black Swan over Knaresborough. Peter Hartley 21-3, Dot Hemmingway 21-6, Bob Parker 21-6 and George Moorey 21-8 all bowling their difficult green well. Knaresborough’s two winners were Brian Clementson 21-6 and Herbert Renision 21-8. Clive Dunnington was the best bowler of the evening as Bilton Corinthians beat Pateley 7-3.

It was a result shared by Collingam as the beat Low Harrogate C (Jean Godrich 21-8, Iain Campbell 21-9, Ken Porter 21-9). Dacre wrapped the week up with an excellent 8-2 win over Starbeck (Kirsty Clarke 21-8, Mary Cowie 21-8, Audrey Hardcastle 21-9).

In Division 5 Starbeck beat Dacre Owls 7-3 (Trevor Baronovski 21-2, Hanna Palmer 21-8, Edna Ryder 21-2, Gladys Booth 21-0). There was also a good 8-2 win for Black Swan over Knaresborough Hounds (David Rhodes 21-2, Simon Hodgson 21-5, Audrey Hodgson 21-6 and Roy Flynne 21-9).

It was a difficult weekend for the North Yorkshire representative team. In the National Federation league North Yorkshire went down 20-12 losers to a very strong Preston team.