The local stages of the national competitions are reaching the various area finals. After already securing a place at Bristol in the latter stages of the mixed fours the Vipers David Bolt made it a double in the mixed pairs. With Jackie Stewart Tallack leading in the Shields pair won a thrilling area final 17-16 against Cumbria’s Stu Irwin. In the last sixteen at Bristol Bolt will face Colchester’s Dan Rodger.
In the triples the Vipers James Sneller booked an area final place with an emphatic 21-4 win over The Parks Chris Yeomans in only 12 ends. Sneller will face Cumbria’s John Baird in the area final for a place at Nottingham. In the fours Houghton’s Peter Thomson’s run came to an end losing 22-7 at Shields against Mal Peach, Paul Hartley, Gary Farquhar and David Bolt. The Vipers will face the winners of the all Cumbria affair between Stuart Robson and Stuart Irwin in the area final.
In the Over 60’s Fours Houghton’s Frankie Froud had a cracking 20-18 win over Stanley’s Brian Harris, the Houghton lads will face Cumbria’s Jackie Walker in the next round.
South Shields Pam Carlin booked a place in the women’s pairs area final after beating Stanley’s Ann Baggett 21-7, Carlin will face Cumbria’s Linda Rose in the final.
In the women’s Vivienne Trophy the South Shields Vipers had a cracking last sixteen 70-66 win over North Cave, that success sets up a quarter final against Lincoln on February 8.
There was good news in the Top Club for the region as Hartlepool beat Malvern Hills to secure a semi final place at Nottingham in March. Paul Mosley got home in the singles 21-13, Bryan Henderson beat M Smith 25-7 and Marc Squirrel beat M Holmes in the fours 18-14. The triples skipped by Gary R Smith were 13-12 down when the overall result was confirmed, the other loss came in the women’s singles 21-19. In the semi finals Hartlepool will face Spalding.
In the Denny Cup last eight there was heartache for Cumbria as they were beaten by a single shot by Spalding. Stu Airey beat Matthew Orrey 23-20 while Mark Dawes romped to a 34-10 win over T Morton, however it all went wrong on the other two rinks. Stephen Farrish went down 25-11 against Dominic McVittie and Stu Irwin lost 22-8 against Jordan Philpot to leave Spalding 77-76 winners, in the semi finals they will face Falcon. In the Denny Plate York were beaten in the quarter finals 93-76 by Beccles.
The latter stages of the Champion of Champions take place at Dolphin this weekend. In the men’s event the Vipers David Bolt is flying the flag for the region. In the last sixteen Bolt tackles Isle of Wight’s Darren Griffith.
Following Gateshead’s 6-4 loss to Durham in the Inter Club a place in the final is up for grabs this weekend as Gateshead and Houghton are locked at the top of the group, Gateshead take on Stanley while Houghton face bottom of the group The Parks.
In the seniors inter club Houghton Sancroft’s hopes of making the play off’s are virtually done and dusted, Stanley’s 5-0 win over Gateshead moves them five points clear at the top of the group and only need a single point against winless South Shields in their final group game.
In the county champion of champions Houghton’s Jimmy McAdoo moved into the semi finals of the triples after a 20-11 win over Ferryhill’s Colin Larcombe, the Houghton lads will face Hartlepool’s Mark Higgins next.
In the seniors Houghton’s Frankie Froud will face Stanley’s Ian Peacock in the semi finals of the fours, this after Froud beat Hartlepool’s J Gough 21-16. Froud is also through to the triples semi finals, a 25-11 win over Darlington’s Martin Lynch sets up a clash with Gateshead’s Brian Orrell.
Tickets for the 2024 British Isles Home International Series and the Championships at Falcon IBC are now on sale. Tickets cost £5 per day and can be purchased via the club on 01245-443666 or via email at info@falconbowling.co.uk. The event starts on 8 March until 16 March.
With numbers declining in the Sunderland Women’s outdoor league a special general meeting was held to discuss changes to the current format. Six clubs, 47 players and a delegation from the men’s SDBA met at Barnes Park where it was agreed to open the league up to men allowing a maximum of two per rink, the format will remain as double fours but clubs can enter as many teams as they want. Clubs have until February 2 to confirm their numbers to Eleanor Watson.
The fixtures for the 2024 outdoor season have been released, the Earl Cup holders will open their defence at home against newly promoted Houghton DL B. The Swan Cup holders Seaham Town will host newly promoted Hylton Colliery Welfare while the Harold Howey champions Roker Marine A have a local derby against the Marine B team. The Storey Bowl champions Seaham Town host Houghton Town who return to the league.
The Grindon League holders Silksworth Pumas will open up at home to Whitburn.
Photo credit Peter Tallack