Over recent times when it comes to the Denny Cup the South Shield’s Vipers have had the upper hand over Cumbria. At the weekend as the two went head to head it was the Cumbrian’s who came out on top 87-67. The writing looked on the wall for most of the game as the Vipers found themselves at one stage 27 shots adrift but they show character and a late charge saw them get it down to just 12 shot. When news of a seven over Carlisle for Paul Hartley the comeback was on as that got deficit down to just five shots. However any thoughts of an amazing turnaround were put on the back burner as both home squads dropped trebles at the same time and the tie just slipped away as the Cumbrian lads ran out deserved winners by 20 shots overall. At Shields both home squads were beaten, David Bolt’s rink of Dave Paterson, John Leeman and Josh Minto lost 21-18 against Stu Irwin. Josh Halcrow, Paul Hart, Stewart Hubbard and Ian McIntosh were on the end of a 21-16 loss against Stuart Airey to leave the Cumbrian’s with a eight shot advantage. Over at Carlisle both the Viper away squads made slow starts however Paul Hartley recovered and thanks to a cracking seven beat Stephen Farish 24-20. The tie was ultimately decided on the remaining rink, former indoor singles world champion Mark Dawes has moved over Carlisle way and made an instant impact on his debut beating the Vipers Gary Farquhar 25-9 which sealed the deal for the Cumbrian’s. In the next round they will face either Stanley or Hartlepool next. In the Denny Plate Gateshead beat West Denton 74-71 and will play Redcar next.
There was more good news for the Cumbrian’s – this time in the ladies Yetton Trophy as they beat Houghton 78-52. At Houghton Joan Rodgerson steered Jean Watt, Margaret Eggleston and Susan Forster to a 23-9 win over A Hullock. After two cracking wins Val Bamborough’s winning run came to an abrupt end, alongside Evelyn Barkes, Gloria Armstrong and Jenny Smith they went down 22-11 but it still left Houghton three shots to the good. Sadly it was a tough morning for the two away squads as they went down by 29 shots. Joan Bakers rink of Margaret Godfrey, Florence Phythian and Brenda Robson lost 23-7 against L Metcalf and Maureen Hall, Elizabeth Morris, Karen Sinclair and Norma Stephenson were beaten 24-11 by E McCubbin to seal a 29 shot Houghton loss. In the next round Cumbria will face York who beat Scunthorpe 91-70.
In the area one national championships the Vipers Paul Hartley beat club mate Stewart Hubbard 21-5 to move into the next round of the singles, Hartley then received a bye off Gateshead’s Alex Bryden to move another round on. In another all Shields clash Mal Peach beat Chris McGready 21-19. In the pairs the Vipers Ian McIntosh won a thrilled against Houghton’s Gary McPheators 16-15 and another Houghton hope went out as Sam Patterson lost 24-12 at Gateshead against Frank Close.
The Vipers James Sneller eased into the next round of the triples beating West Denton’s Gareth Heard 28-7 and will host either Houghton’s Frankie Froud or Stanley’s Brett Arkley next. Houghton’s Dale Oram had a tight 16-13 win at West Denton against Paul Timney and will head to Shield’s next to face Gary Farquhar who beat Gateshead’s Brian Orrell 21-12. Houghton’s Peter Thomson beat Stanley’s James McKenna 21-14 and will host The Parks Chris Yeomans next, the latter beat West Denton’s Mark Heron 18-6.
In the fours Houghton’s Peter Brickle beat West Denton’s Clive Knott 19-12 while the Vipers Jaxon McKenna beat Stanley’s James McKenna 18-9 to set up a home tie against The Parks Chris Yeomans.
In the Under 25 singles Layton Sykes was beaten 22-9 by Gateshead’s Adam Rogan.
Gateshead’s Ronnie Richardson moved into the next round of the Over 60’s singles after a 21-3 win over Shields Dave Gray.
There was disappointment for the County young guns as they were beaten 36-33 by Yorkshire in the Under 25 inter county double fours, Yorkshire will face Lincolnshire next who got a walk over against Notts.
The Durham County seniors opened this season’s Midland League campaign with a rampant 87 shot win over Lincolnshire at Scunthorpe. The rink of Joe Sutherland (Houghton), Dave Paterson, Mal Peach and Billy Ferry (all Shields) cruised to a 45-6 win. The only Durham loss saw Houghton’s Dale Oram narrowly miss out 22-21 while Stanley’s Keith Minnis was held to a 21-21 draw. Next up in the Midlands league for Durham is a another clash with Yorkshire.
Houghton ladies are in double fours action as they open there national Mason Trophy campaign on Friday (1030am) as they tackle Durham.
At Houghton – M Godfrey, E Morris, V Bambrough, J Rodgerson
At Durham – M Hall, B Robson, J Baker, N Stephenson.
The Durham County seniors are in EIBA Over 60’s Inter County action today as they face Yorkshire, the county are using Stanley as their home base and Yorkshire the York club, the games gets underway at 1230pm at both venues. Locally the Vipers Dave Paterson, Mal Peach, Billy Ferry and Houghton’s Steve Tindale and Dale Oram are all in the squad heading to York.
The Vipers return to Egham Trophy action at the weekend as they go head to head with past winners Hartlepool, the victors will face Hornsea or Lincoln in the regional final.
The women’s Hong Kong Classic pairs final saw an auld enemy clash as England’s Nicole Rogers and Harriet Stevens faced Scotland’s Dee Hoggan and Rachel Sinclair. The England duo looked set to take the first set, leading 7-3 with one end left however they dropped a last end six to lose it 9-7. In another tight second set the Scottish pair got over the line despite dropping a last end double and surviving a measure for three tying it 9-9 to take the title.