Harrogate Bowling

Brian Walker lifted the Harrogate Individual Merit Cup for the fourth time after another impressive display.

From a field of 64 bowlers, the last eight players got the final underway at Bardsey Bowling Club.
First to the green was Bilton Clubman Derrick Fox against Phil English from Black Swan. Fox continued his impressive form of recent weeks to take early command of the game. English fought all the way but Fox’s strangle hold on the game proved too strong as he ran out a 21-7 winner.

Wayside’s Brian Walker and Alan Rothery from Bilton WM Club had arguably the best battle of the day as they fought tooth and nail to the end. In a game that could have gone either way, Walker finished strongly to take a close 21-19 win.

In the second half of the draw Martin Hemmingway from Black Swan played Low Harrogate’s David Spilsbury. Hemmingway got himself onto a favoured mark early in the game that saw him take an early lead. It was a lead Hemmingway maintained right to the end to take a very well deserved win.

In the final first round game Black Swan’s Peter Nacey played Wayside’s Gordon Flower. Having come out on top in a number of their previous encounters Nacey made a confident start. There was grit and determination in Flower’s play however that pushed him all the way to a 21-14 victory.

Walker and Fox played the first semi-final but it soon proved the rub of the green wasn’t going Fox’s way. In a game where each knock and hit just seemed to go against him Fox fought on but Walker maintained control of the game going on to a 21-11 win.

Flower’s determination continued in his semi-final bout with Hemmingway. Choosing a corner to corner mark across the Bardsey green Flower made a quick start. Hemmingway’s determination was equal to Flower’s however as the pair fought to gain some control of the game. As the game swung back and too, it was Flower who finally managed to edge the advantage bowling a short mark along the clubhouse edge of the green. Leading well he capitalised on this advantage to run out a 21-13 winner.

And so it was to an all Wayside Final between Walker and Flower. With not only the title but bragging rights at stake it was first blood to Walker. Flower stayed close on his heels in the early stages but struggled to take any advantage. As the game progressed then so did Walker’s dominance. With some exceptional bowling Walker took control of the game that saw him right through to his fourth and very well deserved title victory.

Vice President John Gibbins presented the cup congratulating all the bowlers on an excellent performance and thanking Bardsey for their hospitality.

In what proved to be an excellent weekend for Brian Walker, he followed up his victory by also clinching the Tadcaster League Individual Merit title for a double celebration. Held at Black Swan, Walker finished a hard fought day by beating club mate Mark Reynolds 21-20 in the final.