Three Sunderland & District titles have been decided over the last seven days. In the 3-2-1 Knock Out Triples final played at Pemberton the Silksworth Pumas ended a four year wait for another title success. In the final they beat a spirited Roker Marine 228-204, Marine have now lost in three finals while it is Silksworth’s twelfth success with the first being some thirty eight years ago.
To top off a great seven days the Pumas successfully defended their Earl Cup title with two league games still to play. This week’s 6-0 win over Dairy Lane A means they cannot be caught at the top, it is there ninth Earl title since 2010. The race for runners up spot is between four teams with only 3½ points separating them. Second placed Barnes Park lost 5-1 at Dairy Lane B. Both Usworth and Seaham Town have given themselves a chance of avoiding the drop, Seaham’s 5-1 win over New Herrington and Usworth’s 5-1 win over Sunderland has dragged the latter into a relegation scrap.
In Division two leaders Pemberton ground out a 4½-1½ win at bottom of the table Ryhope albeit by a single shot, Pemberton are thirteen points clear of third with only Hetton Workmen mathematically able to catch the top two. Whitburn beat Washington 5-1 to move up to third and are only 6½ points behind second placed North Biddick although there result this week hasn’t been submitted yet.
It is going to be a cracking last week in the Swan Cup with both title and relegation hopes resting on all four final games. Dairy Lane’s 5-1 win over New Herrington saw them leap frog to the top abeit by a single point, third placed Barnes Park will be rueing a 5-1 loss at relegation battlers Roker Marine, bottom of the table Usworth’s hopes are still alive after a 5½-½ win over now second bottom Hetton Workmen’s. The final games this week will see leaders Dairy Lane head to Barnes Park knowing six points would definitely seal the title, anything less would open the door for New Herrington provided they beat Seaham, Barnes would need to beat the leaders then hope Seaham beat New Herrington to sneak in the back door. The relegation battle will see bottom of the table Usworth head to Marine needing a 6-0 win and hope Hetton lose to the Pumas, the latter could also go down with a heavy loss to Hetton and a Marine win.
The Division two title has been decided, North Biddick’s 5-1 win over Hylton Colliery will see them make a swift return to the top division. Who joins them is wide open, second placed Hylton Colliery host bottom of the table Washington knowing a 6-0 win will see both last year’s relegated teams promoted.
Barnes Park (pictured) have retained their Harold Howey title, a 4-0 home win over New Herrington confirmed back to back titles. The Barnes squad are still unbeaten and will look to equal 2022 when they went through a twelve game season unbeaten as they head to Seaham Town A. Dairy Lane B got back to winning ways beating the A team 3-1 and move up to second. There were wins for New Herrington A, Seaham Town A and Whitburn B. Roker Marine B’s relegation fate was confirmed with a 4-0 home loss to Hylton Colliery, Marine won their opener but have lost the next ten games. Hylton Colliery will join them should South Hylton beat Hetton Workmen in the final round of games this week.
With two rounds still to go it is still all to play for in Division Two, Pemberton A’s 3-1 win over Washington B saw them open up a 2½ point lead at the top, Sunderland B’s 3½-½ win over the A team puts them into the other promotion place.
The women’s SWBA league title battle saw leaders Sunderland A lose 4-0 at Barnes Park B, New Herrington’s 3½-½ win over Roker Marine closes the gap at the top to 1½ points with the top two going head to head this week. Whitburn moved to mid table with a 3-1 win at Sunderland B.
The Tommy Thompson double fours final will feature holders Silksworth Pumas and Houghton Dairy Lane. In the semi finals Silksworth beat North Biddick 41-21 while Dairy Lane ended Hylton Colliery’s hopes 36-16. The final will take place at South Hylton on Friday 15 August.
The scheduled final week of Grindon League fixtures will see just a half point separating the top three teams. Leaders New Herrington host second placed Usworth while third placed Pemberton tackle fourth placed Houghton Dairy Lane. The Silksworth Pumas could yet gate crash the party as they have three games to play and are only seven points off top spot.
The final of the Burkett Shield takes place on Friday at Houghton Dairy Lane (6.30pm), the Barnes Park trio of Michael Wright, Bryan Sanderson and Frankie Froud will try to make it a third consecutive title defence. In the semi finals Froud beat Seaham Town’s Mark Higgins 21-16. In the other semi final the Silksworth trio of Layton Sykes, Billy Ferry and Gary Farquhar beat Dairy Lane’s Ian Armstrong 18-13.
Silver Jacks Semi Final draw
J Sneller (SP) v G Farquhar (SP), K Oliver (W) v P Harding (HW)
David Morgan Mixed Pairs Semi Final draw
G Williams (SP) v G Wallace (NH), P King (NH) v C Watson (NH)
The Seniors Champion of Champions line up has been confirmed, Silksworth Pumas Paul Baker beat Dairy Lane’s Steve Hanlon 21-6 to set up a final against Pemberton’s Steve Farrell at Barnes Park on 13 August.
The Bowls England National Championships at Leamington Spa get underway on 13 August.
As thoughts slowly turn to the indoor season there are plenty of league vacancies at Houghton, notably the 6.30pm sessions and the Sunday 10am sessions. There are also a few openings in the ladies sessions, anyone interested can contact club secretary Margaret Nicholson.