Houghton’s hopes of securing a place in the end of season play offs are now out of their hands despite beating The Parks 9-1 in their final group game. At Houghton both home rinks had good wins, Michael Wright, Richie Jobling, Fred Fletcher and Peter Brickle turned on the after burners in the second half of the game against G Robson to run out 23-12 winners. Joe Sutherland, Dave Robson, Stevie Tindale and Dale Oram were always in control against Brian Rootham running out 22-10 winners which secured the home points 45-22. At North Tyneside it was a mixed bag for the Houghton rinks, Chris Blake, Richard Thorpe, Ray Robinson and David Wright got off to a flyer leading 12-2 against A Hall but had to withstand a late fightback by the hosts to get over the line17-14. The remaining rink of Stevie Hanlon, John Burglass, David Armstrong and Jimmy McAdoo were always playing catch up against Dave Palmer, 13-6 down at the half way mark and despite a late McAdoo charge the Houghton lads went down by a single shot 18-17, however the away overall was secured 34-32 to seal a 79-54 win. In the other group game the nearest challengers Gateshead lost 9-1 to Stanley which now actually puts the play off place into Stanley’s hands. Houghton lead Stanley by seven points but the latter have a rearranged game against the Parks to play and will only need those seven points as they have a better shot difference. The south group will also go to the wire, in the final game holders Hartlepool need to beat Aycliffe by a minimum of 14 shots and collect seven points to make the play off final, however if Aycliffe collect seven points then they will also over take leaders Darlington.
There was a cracking win in the senior’s champion of champion’s fours for Houghton’s Frankie Froud, in the semi final against Stanley’s Ian Peacock the Houghton quartet sealed the deal 16-9 to book a place in the final against the Vipers Mal Peach.
Durham County have named their Liberty Trophy team for the semi final against Norfolk at Erewash on March 2. There is only one player change with Hartlepool’s Mark Higgins coming back in three to club mate Bryan Henderson, the Vipers Josh Minto drops down to second with club mate Jaxon McKenna dropping to the bench.
Latest Top Ten standings – Hartlepool 10-74, Darlington 10-69, Houghton 10-64, Great Aycliffe 10-62, Stanley 10-46, Durham 10-36, Ferryhill 10-25, Sth Shields 10-22
In the area one final of the pairs Cumbria’s Daniel Pool won a thriller against The Parks Chris Yeomans 16-15 to seal a place at the national championships in April. There was disappointment in the triples area final as the Vipers James Sneller was beaten 18-4 in 13 ends by Cumbria’s John Baird. The fours area final takes place on Saturday at West Denton (1100am) and features the Vipers Mal Peach, Paul Hartley, Gary Farquhar and David Bolt against Cumbria’s Stuart Robson.
Stanley’s Bret Arkley won an all Stanley affair against Derek Craig 17-9 to book an area final place in the Over 50 triples. Arkley will face the winners of the Paul Barlow (Cumbria) and Houghton’s Dale Oram tie.
The area final of the family pairs will see the Vipers Ian & Shaun McIntosh take on Cumbria’s Steven Richardson. In the semi finals McIntosh ended club mates Layton & David Sykes hopes 22-6.
There was better news for young Layton in the area final of the novice singles. Trailing 6-3 against Cumbria’s Val Graham the Shield’s young gun turned the game around to lead 14-6 and 19-9, despite dropping a late treble Layton got over the line 21-13 and will head to Nottingham for the latter stages.
In the Over 60’s double fours Hartlepool A beat Stanley 36-26 to set up a last eight clash with Nottingham.
The Vipers Pam Carlin booked an area final place in the pairs after beating Stanley’s Ann Baggett 21-7, Carlin will face Cumbria’s Linda Rose. There is more area final action for the Shield’s club in the two bowl singles as Maureen Charles will also face Cumbria’s Linda Rose, Charles beat club mate Pat Browne 21-10 in the semi final.
Spalding have booked a place in the Denny Cup final after a 88-53 win over Falcon, in the final they will face either Torquay Utd or Egham. The Plate final will be between Northampton and Sutton. In the semi finals Northampton beat Beccles 91-84 while Sutton beat Torbay 75-61.
Scotland retained the women’s Under 25 Home International series played at Belfast. Scotland won all three games with a hard fought win in the series decider against England 86-75. Earlier the Scots beat Ireland 108-42 and Wales 116-57. In the wooden spoon clash Wales notched their only win 71-67 against Ireland. This weekend Glasgow will host the men’s under 25 series, holders Scotland will be attempting to become the first country to record four consecutive series wins.
With the outdoor season on the horizon and the future of the Sunderland Women’s leagues in doubt due to numbers there was some good news, following a change in format and opening up to men there will be a nine team league from the six clubs. Roker Marine, Sunderland and Barnes Park all have two teams alongside one from Whitburn, Silksworth and New Herrington. The league will run from June 4 to August 20 with three week breaks for the Sunderland & District tour and the Marjorie Marshall competition. A section will be added to the Bowls Sunderland website showing results and the latest table.