The final PBA Scottish International Open qualifiers were held at Hartlepool and Bromley respectively. Both events were hit by withdrawals mainly due to the fact both were a week later in the indoor season.
At Hartlepool a field of fifty players from around the region and north of the border were all vying for the place in the main event at West Lothian in October. The Vipers David Bolt has a great record on the Hartlepool green in these qualifiers and once again the lad showed endurance and class to come out on top again. An opening straight sets win over Paul Morton was followed by a whitewash of Stanley’s Ryan Henson. Another straight sets win in the last sixteen over the host clubs Mark Higgins set up a quarter final against Lancashire’s Lloyd Milligan. The latter missed out in the final at the Carlisle qualifier and was quick off the mark taking the opening set 7-5. Bolt bounced back 9-0 in the second set and then went on to take the best of three tie break 2-0.
Cumbria’s Stuart Airey stood in the way of a final berth, in a cracking semi final Airey was outstanding in the first set taking it 6-4, Bolt bounced back taking the second set 8-2 and completed back to back tie breaks 2-0 to set up a final clash with former Welsh international Robert Chisholm.
Back in the region Chisholm accounted for a trio of area hopes, Houghton Peter Thomson in straight sets and host clubs Conrad Morrison also in straight sets. A quality semi final against Hartlepool’s Gary R Smith saw Chisholm take the first set 8-6 then Smith the second set 7-2. The tie breaks went Chisholm’s way 2-0.
In the final both players produced a string of quality bowls, it was however Bolt that took it to another level. A string of opening bowls kept Chisholm under pressure and despite the lads efforts it proved to much as Bolt ran out a 7-3, 8-2 winner. This is Bolt’s third trip to the latter stages of the WBT Scottish International Open and gains five ranking points however the lad will be looking to finally kick on at West Lothian.
Entries into the PBA World Singles and World Pairs open early July, the AbbeyView, Carlisle and Hartlepool qualifiers have already been confirmed streaming by the Wrong Bias Podcast.
The World Bowls held its Champion of Champions at Aberdeen, a tremendous last bowl in the final of the Mixed Pairs by England skip Dominic McVitte converted the head against Wales into a four to snatch the title 16-15, the talented Emily Kernick led in for McVittie. Both England players also reached the singles however both failed to complete individual doubles. In the men’s final McVitte lost to Aussie youngster Jack McShane while Kernick lost out to Scotland’s Sophie McGrouther.
The Houghton Indoor club held its AGM, one change will see teams now having the option of women playing in the 6.30pm.
The second round of Earl Cup fixtures took place, in Division One Roker Marine made it two wins out of two as they won 5½-½ at Dairy Lane B. It was a tough night for the Dairy Lane as the A team also lost 4½-1½ at Usworth.
Newly promoted Sunderland built on last weeks win at Barnes Park with another win this time 5-1 over the other newly promoted outfit New Herrington. Holders Silksworth Pumas got there title defence underway with a 5-1 win over Barnes Park.
Week 3 Fixtures – Barnes Park v Seaham Town, Houghton DL A v Sunderland, New Herrington v Silksworth Pumas, Roker Marine v Usworth.
In Division Two North Biddick racked up a second 6-0 win this time at home against Ryhope, Whitburn also notched a 6-0 win away at Hylton Colliery. Houghton Town made it two from two with a 5-1 win at Thompson Park, the remaining game saw Hetton Workmen infict a second loss on Washington 5-1.
Week 3 Fixtures – Houghton Town v Washington, Pemberton v Thompson Park, Hetton Workmen v Ryhope, Whitburn v North Biddick, Hylton CW v Sth Hylton.
The Swan Cup gets underway on Wednesday, title holders Silksworth Pumas open up at home to New Herrington.
Week 1 Fixtures – Hetton Workmen v Barnes Park, Seaham Town v Roker Marine, Silksworth Pumas v New Herrington, Usworth v Houghton DL, North Biddick v Washington, Pemberton v Hylton CW, Thompson Park v Houghton Town.
The Harold Howey Division Two gets underway this week, last years relegated teams are both in action. Roker Park host Pemberton B and Thompson Park go to Sunderland A. After dropping out last season Silksworth Pumas return to the Howey is on ice for a week due to them having a bye.
Storey Bowl holders Hetton Workmen open up their title defence away at Thompson Park, Seaham Town host Houghton Town and New Herrington host Hylton Colliery.
The Sunderland and District held its Open Day at the weekend, early indications point to a decent turn out around clubs which was blessed with good weather.
One of the early Bowls England County competitions takes place on May 17/18. The men’s Balcombe Trophy has been revamped into a Top Ten format. Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire will compete in a singles, pairs, triples and fours format at Redcar.
Durham line up – Singles – B Hopkins (RA), Pairs- J McKenna, D Bolt (Pumas), Triples M Hodgson, J Mansfield, P Hartley (Blackhall), Fours – M Ralphs, A Kirtland, A Henderson, L Macey (RA)
On the same weekend at Gosforth the women’s equivalent competition the Walker Cup takes place at Gosforth. Four counties minus Yorkshire have entered squads into the revamped format which is a duplicate of the men’s event.
There was some sad news as former Houghton Dairy Lane member Fred Turnbull (92) sadly passed away. Fred was a gentleman both on and off the green and during the 80’s was one the region’s top umpires.