Durham’s hopes of qualifying in the Middleton Cup took a set back after they were beaten 18-4 by Cumbria at a windy Wigton. Durham were always playing catch up and eventually succumbed to a twenty two shot defeat. Durham won on two of the six rinks, Liam Macey 16-12 and John Mansfield 18-15. It could and maybe should have been even better. David Bolt battled back to lead 19-18 but let things slipped away late on losing 23-19. Dale Oram collected a late five only to rue a dropped seven on the next end in a 27-19 loss. The Other group game saw Yorkshire beat leaders Lancashire in the battle of the roses 16-6. Durham host Lancashire at Dairy Lane on Saturday in the knowledge it is a must win game.
Latest Table – Lancashire 2-26, Durham 2-23, Yorkshire 2-19, Cumbria 1-18, Northumberland 1-2
The County women’s Johns Trophy squad return to action on Saturday also knowing a defeat will end their respective campaign; Durham head to Redcar to face Yorkshire, both counties lost their opener 18-4.
There was another great escape for Durham as the female young gun’s snatched the qualification place in the Amy Rose regional day at Dunnington. The Durham squad of Olivia Lewis, debutee Ellie McQueen, Charlotte Williams, Charlotte Welsh, Sophie Wood and Abi Porter beat Lancashire in their opener 4-2. Qualification hopes took a hit as Durham lost to Angels Of the North (combined Cumbia, Yorkshire and Northumberland team) 4-2 to leave them third which slipped to fourth after their bye. In their next game Durham hauled themselves back into contention beating Lincolnshire 4-2. With Angels of the North top but played up Durham needed a perfect storm to get over the line. They did their bit beating Derbyshire 6-0 and when Lancashire snatched a draw in the triples against second placed Lincolnshire the unexpected happened and Durham qualified on shots difference. Durham will be joined by Surrey A, The East Anglicans, Leicestershire and Dorset at Leamington Spa on Sunday August 16.
The Durham women’s Northern Trophy squad kept their title hopes alive with a 8-2 win over leaders Yorkshire at Darlington Woodlands. The win moves Durham to within half a point of Yorkshire at the top, there is a break until July when Durham travel to Caldbeck to tackle Cumbria.
There has been plenty of action in Bowls England (BE) competitions. In the men’s Double Rinks Houghton Dairy Lane B were beaten at home 42-32 by Lyndhurst, they will head to New Herrington next after Herrington’s thrilling 30-29 win over Consett Park. Silksworth Pumas beat Blackhall 38-35 and will head to Darlington RA after they ended Pemberton’s hopes 55-22. The ties will take place on Sunday June 28.
It has been a busy week in the Sunderland & District leagues. Week six in the Swan Cup saw leaders Houghton Diary Lane maintain their unbeaten start with a 6-0 win over Silksworth Pumas. Barnes Park had a good 5-1 win at North Biddick and are four points behind the leaders, both Roker Marine and Seaham Town recorded wins to move up to mid table. In Division Two the top two are racing away with both still unbeaten. League debutee’s Simonside won 5-1 at Hetton Workmen and have a 1½ point lead over Pemberton, the latter won 5-1 away at Houghton Town.
Round Seven in the Earl Cup saw Barnes Park extend their lead at the top to seven points after a 5½-½ win at Dairy Lane B. The Dairy Lane A team started off unbeaten after four games but back to back losses has seen them drop down to fifth. The latest defeat came at defending champions Silksworth Pumas 5-1 who now move to third with a game in hand of the leaders. The bottom two are starting to get cast adrift, Sunderland suffered back to back 6-0 loss this time at Pemberton while bottom of the table North Biddick are still searching for their first win after losing 5-1 at home to New Herrington.
In Division Two the top of the table saw leader s Hetton Workmen’s unbeaten start continue as they beat Seaham 6-0 to open up a thirteen point lead at the top. Usworth moved to second with a 5-1 away win, only 1½ points cover the chasing pack.
In the Harold Howey leaders New Herrington B march on after a 3-1 home win against Whitburn B. Holders Barnes Park are the only team still unbeaten as they notched a fourth win 4-0 at home to New Herrington A. Thompson Park’s 3-1 win at Roker Park kept them unbeaten at top of Division Two. Second placed Silksworth Pumas unbeaten record is also still intact after a 3-1 win at Pemberton B. North Biddick B’s wait for a first win is over after a 3½-½ win over Washington A.
The Storey Bowls holders Seaham Town won the battle of the top two 6-1 against Hylton Colliery Welfare. Thompson Park’s 5-2 win at New Herrington lifts them up to second, Jarrow West End’s 6-1 win over Houghton Town lifted them off the foot of the table.
In the women’s SWBA league, holders New Herrington’s perfect start continued with a 4-0 win over Roker Marine. Sunderland got back to winning ways 3-1 against Whitburn, Barnes Park got off the mark with a 3½-½ win over Washington Glebe.
This year was to be a highlight for the Usworth club members as the club is celebrating its Centenary year. Sadly a few weeks ago there club house suffered significant fire damage after an arson attack from local youths. However not to be out done the club did hold a Centenary match at the weekend against some of the Sunderland & District local clubs (Washington & North Biddick). With the backing of The Little Onion Club who allowed use of their clubhouse, the Friends Of Usworth Park, The Knitting Hinnies and the Community Support Team the club did manage to celebrate and mark the hundredth year in style.
