Hartlepool held the latest round of WBT World Indoor Singles qualifiers at the weekend and there was more regional success. Following on from Stanley’s Brett Arkley’s qualification at the Abbeyview event another local lad will don the infamous portable blue carpet at Potters in January. The host clubs Mark Higgins battled through a field of sixty four to secure his place at the World Indoor Championships. Higgins started his campaign with two straight forward wins, 7-3, 9-0 win over Scotland’s Alistair Elliott was followed by a 6-3, 6-2 win over PBA secretary Gillian Hinsley.
In the last sixteen Higgins was involved in a classic against Lancashire’s Lloyd Milligan, after losing the first set 6-1 Higgins bounced back winning the second set also 6-1, in three high quality tie breakers Higgins converted the head with his final bowl on the final end and when Milligan missed Higgins moved into the last eight. In the quarter finals Higgins eased past Hornsea’s James Baxter 10-5, 12-2 to set up a semi final against Scotland’s Colin Banks. In the quarter finals Banks ended the Vipers David Bolt’s hopes with a 2-0 tie break victory. Higgins was quick off the mark taking the first set against Banks 10-5 however trailed 6-2 going into the final end of the second set. When Banks failed to get another bowl within four feet it left his only bowl exposed which Higgins lifted out and his bowl stopped in for a dramatic last end four to tie the set 6-6 and book a place in the final.
In the final Hornsea’s Jack Bird provided the opposition, Higgin’s had yet to beat Bird in singles and that looked set to continue as Bird ran away with the first set 9-2. At the back end of that set however Bird appeared to lose his line and Higgins pounced winning four ends on the spin taking the second set 9-1 to set up a three end decider. With momentum on his side Higgins got over the line 2-0 to seal a first ever visit to the latter stages of the World Indoor Singles Championships.
The following day the World Pairs qualifier kicked off with a forty strong field, Higgins hopes of a double were dash early doors as former Poolie Gavin Abraham’s inflicted a 2-0 tie break defeat. Past qualifiers the Vipers Paul Hartley & David Bolt were one of the favourites, a 10-0, 11-1 opening win over the host clubs Michael Laydon was followed by a 8-4, 7-1 win over Jacqueline Henderson. In the last eight Hartley & Bolt beat Abraham’s 1½-½ to set up a semi final against Erewash’s Mike Bowley & Anthony Blackler. Things started well with the Vipers taking the first set 12-5 only to be pegged back in the second set 8-3, after taking the opening tie breaker end Bolt had the final bowl on the next to seal a place in the final, Bolt will be disappointed to have failed to draw within a good foot with both bowls – falling short by inches. That sadly came back to bite the Vipers as again a last bowl opportunity wasn’t taken and the Erewash lads got home 2-1 to play Colin & Carla Banks in the final.
In the final the Erewash lads just couldn’t repeat the exceptional standard of play from the semi final, although they did take the final to a tie break before losing out.
The Pool based Dolphin club also held qualifiers, the singles place was secured by Mikey Titcombe while the pairs spot went to Finley Williamson & Ryan Whitlock.
There are more qualifiers this weekend as Carlisle hosts another Singles & Pairs which is being live streamed via the Wrongbias Podcast FB & YouTube platforms. There is also a double header down at Guernsey.
The local section of the EIBA national’s are slowly getting underway, an early result in the singles saw a straight forward 21-2 win for the Vipers Josh Halcrow over Houghton’s Neil Reid. In the two bowl singles however Halcrow was beaten 21-16 at Gateshead by Alex Bryden.
The Vipers Paul Hart had a cracking 17-11 win at Gateshead against Alan Jobling to move into the next round of the Over 50’s triples.
The Viper’s young gun Layton Sykes heads to Northampton this weekend for the England Mixed Under 18 trials.
The first of the season’s Open Singles Circuit events was held at Lincoln, the £1,000 prize went to Les Gillett.
The Seniors Inter club gets underway this week with two of the three local teams in action. Houghton Gilpin host Ferryhill while the Vipers head to Great Aycliffe.
Gilpin line up – P Hicks, L Todd, I McConnell, D Robson, P Saunders, A Ross, D Hockaday, B Johnson, P Robinson, H Smith, G Stephenson, T Davies
Houghton ladies are also in action as they tackle South Shields in there Inter club opener.
At Houghton – P Bainbridge, P Ramshaw, G Ferguson, L Galley, J Watt, A Dale, E Faith, J Rodgerson
At Shields – M Hall, E Barkes, E Morris, N Stephenson, M Godfrey, J Todd, B Robson, J Baker
The Denny Cup draw has pitted both local sides against each other as Houghton face the much fancied South Shields Vipers outfit.
Houghton line up
At Houghton – M Baker, I Whorlton, J Webster, D Todner, C Milburn, C Blake, G McPheators, C Watson
At Shields – F Fletcher, S Patterson, P Brickle, F Froud, M Wright, N Reid, P Thomson (jnr), D Wright
Houghton men get their Inter club campaign underway with a game against Durham on Sunday. A change to the format will see all four rinks playing at the same venue, Houghton are the hosts this weekend (10am start).
Houghton line up is as follows – F Fletcher, I Armstrong, P Brickle, F Froud, M Wright, D Robson, B Johnson, M Baker, C Milburn, G Wallace, G McPheators, C Watson, C Blake, G Loadman, J Webster, D Wright