As the National Championships at Nottingham enters the final few days it has been a quiet time for the local qualifiers. In the men’s pairs both lost their opening ties, the Vipers David Sykes & Gary Farquhar went down 17-11 to the eventual winners Westlecot’s Shaun Jones & Scott Edwards. Meanwhile Hartlepool’s Marc Squirrell narrowly lost 16-15 to Swales Andrew Rodgers.
In the first round of the fours the Vipers quartet of Mal Peach, Paul Hartley, Gary Farquhar and David Bolt lost a low scoring last sixteen clash against Westlecot’s Edward’s 14-13. Hartlepool’s Marc Squirrell won his opener 17-11 against Desborough’s Stephen McAlister but then went down 17-12 to eventual finalist Spalding’s Dominic McVittie. The title went to the Torquay Utd quartet of Ryan Whitlock, Kieran Kniveton, Jamie Walker and Sam Tolchard.
The women’s fours title went to Solihull’s England star Emily Kernick, in the final the Solihull quartet beat Tilbury’s Elaine Score 14-6. The latter ended Hartlepool’s Samantha Richardson’s hopes 18-11 in the quarter finals.
In the Family Pairs title Solihull’s Tom Holmes added to his singles success with a 20-8 win over Cumbria’s Mark & Stu Irwin 20-8.
Stanley’s Derek Craig missed out in the Over 60’s pairs losing 17-10 to Falcon’s Martin King. Hartlepool’s Steve Slaughter also lost in the first round 18-15 to the eventual winner Dolphin’s Gary Fountain.
In the triples the Vipers trio of Paul Hartley, Gary Farquhar and David Bolt missed out in the last sixteen losing 22-14 to Riverain’s Lloyd Sabatini, it was the same case for Hartlepool’s Mark Higgins who lost 22-13 against Egham’s Mark Smith. In the women’s Hartlepool’s Samantha Richardson beat Whiteknight’s Morgan Merryweather 17-15 but lost in the quarter finals 22-7 to Barwell’s Barbara Lewis.
Hartlepool will be looking to end the championships on a high, following the Egham title the men’s Over 60’s Double Fours will tackle County Arts in the semi finals, Kempston Park and Plymouth contest the other semi final.
Norfolk women lifted the Atherley Trophy, in the final they beat Dorset 124-114 while Falcon beat Egham 39-33 to take the Mason Trophy.
Four club finals have been played at Houghton, there was a thrilling finish in the Over 60’s Pairs as Chris Blake & Colin Watson beat Freddie Fletcher & David Wright on an extra end. There was some consolation for Fletcher & Wright in the Over 60’s fours final, playing alongside Peter Brickle and Colin Watson they beat Peter Thomson, Richie Jobling, Mal Baker and Frankie Froud.
The ladies pairs went to Joan Watt and Elizabeth Morris while the husband and wife pair of Linda & Colin Watson took the mixed pairs.
The Houghton AGM takes place on Saturday 26 April at 10am.
South Shields have also been holding club finals, the men’s fours went to David Sykes, Mal Peach, Gary Farquhar and David Bolt. The Senior’s went to Mal Peach, Fred Knubley, Dave Paterson and Billy Ferry. The Senior Pairs saw Peach & Ferry complete a double.
There are five more finals taking place this week, Josh Minto tackles Ian McIntosh in the singles, the triples will see Paul Hartley face Stewart Hubbard. The ladies singles will feature Maureen Charles and Margaret Tindale.
The final of the Doshi U25 County Pairs saw the Vipers/Darlington combination of Layton Sykes & Alex Wood (pictured) beat the Darlington pair of Abi Porter and Nail Thompson.
The first of the PBA Scottish International Open qualifiers took place at Carlisle, Paul Hartley’s hopes were ended in the first round losing 2-0 on a tie break this after taking the first set 10-4 against Gateshead’s Alex Bryden. The Gateshead lad went on to have another tie break win this time over Scotland’s Connor Milne only to then succumb in the last eight to West Denton’s Nick Armstrong. In the semi final Armstrong in his first PBA event took eventual winner Scotland’s Robert Gordon to a tie break but missed out 2-0. In the other halve of the draw the Vipers Josh Minto went quietly about the job with notable wins over previous qualifier Steven Scott and the host clubs Trevor Taylor. In the semi final Minto narrowly missed out on the tie break 2-0 after taking the first set 7-4. The final also went to a tie break with Gordon beating Lancashire’s Lloyd Milligan 4-10,7-4,2-1.
The qualifier at Dolphin suffered from thirteen late withdrawals, eventually it was Torquay’s England star Sam Tolchard who sealed his place at West Lothian in October. There is another PBA qualifier on Saturday at Glasgow, it will be live streamed again via the Wrongbias Podcast FB & Youtube platforms.
The only Open Singles Circuit in the area takes place on Good Friday at Hartlepool, a field of 64 will compete for the £750 first prize. The following three days will also see the Hartlepool Masters Pairs take place, last year the host clubs Russell Bewick and Bryan Henderson took the honours, there will be live streaming of the last eight on Monday via the Wrongbias Podcast FB & YouTube platforms.
The majority of outdoor club greens opened at the weekend, as is the norm the weather will revert to cold for the start of the Sunderland & District leagues. The Earl Cup gets the season underway, holders Silksworth Pumas have a bye. runners up Dairy Lane A head to New Herrington while newly promoted Sunderland have a tough opener away to Barnes Park, Dairy Lane B host the other promoted outfit Usworth, the remaining game will see Marine host Seaham Town.
In Division two last season’s relegated teams both have home games, Hetton Workmen face Thompson Park and North Biddick face Washington. Pemberton host Houghton Town, Ryhope face Hylton CW and Whitburn tackle South Hylton.
The Sunderland & District are doing a recruitment drive, fifteen clubs will be hosting a free Open Day for the public from 1.30pm to approx 4pm. Its aim is to try and attract the general public onto the greens and sample the sport in the hope they get the “hook” and comeback for more then maybe even join one of the various clubs.