Harrogate Bowling

With the 1st and 2nd Division titles already tied up all eyes were on the third division which went right down to the wire.
With one game remaining Dacre lead by the slimmest of margins of 1 point, Starbeck were 2nd and both Knaresborough Badgers and Boston Spa were 3 points behind them.

With everything to play for Dacre were in for a tough time at party poopers Bilton WMC. With the clubmen in fine form it was a crushing blow to Dacre as they went down 7-3.

Knaresborough Badgers thought they must be in with an excellent chance when they pulled out all stops to beat Wetherby 10 -0. Boston Spa also gave themselves every possible opportunity after beating Wayside Rangers 8-2.

The final game was between Starbeck and Bilton Athenians but the Spa Lane boys looked to have thrown it away after a disastrous start. From their first four games only Alan Boyes could come up with a win. With things looking bleak John Johnson got Starbeck back on track with a fine 21-7 win. Barry Woodward and Darren Godber followed suit with another two good wins.

With the league tables now standing at 108 for Knaresborough Badgers and 107 for Starbeck there was only Graham Lynch versus Peter Ryan to play. It was a steady start from Starbeck’s Lynch but the experienced Peter Ryan made it clear he was battling for the win. With both players fighting for every chalk the game went right down to the very last bowl. Bowling one of his most important bowls of his career it was Lynch who clinched the last chalk to win 21-20 and give Starbeck an essential 7-3 win.

Starbeck finished Champions matching Knaresborough Badgers on 108 points but just clinching the title having the better aggregate.

Black Swan finished 1st Division Champions after an excellent season. Wayside Travellers finished 2nd and Dacre Eagles were relegated. In Division 2 Black Swan 2nd team dominated the league finishing champions by 36 clear points. Pateley Bridge were second with Low Harrogate getting relegated.

To complete a fantastic year for the club Black Swan 3rd team were Champions of Division 4. Bilton Corinthians were second with Low Harrogate D getting relegated.
Almscliffe Strollers managed a fantastic 10-0 win in the last game of the season to ensure the Division 5 Title. Black Swan 4th finished a close second.