The Bowls England Balcomb Trophy and women’s Walker Cup were both held at the weekend with Redcar hosting the former and Gosforth the latter. Down at a chilly Redcar Day 1 saw Durham win two out of three games. In the opener against Cumbria the Durham lad’s won the pairs and triples to get over the line 73-64 (18-6), this was mainly due to Jaxon McKenna & David Bolt racking up a 25-9 win in the pairs. In the second game against Yorkshire things didn’t go to plan as Yorkshire ran out 75-58 (21-3) with the only Durham success coming in the triples where Mark Hodgson, John Mansfield and Paul Hartley won 21-12. The final game on Day 1 one saw Durham bounce back against Lancashire, in fact it was a clean sweep as Durham won all four disciplines 71-58 (24-0) which left Durham the overnight group leaders albeit on shots difference with Yorkshire but both still had to have their bye.
Day 2 saw Durham play their remaining fixture against Northumberland knowing nothing less than a win was needed, on a another cold morning to say it was a lack lustre performance would be kind as Northumberland just played the better bowls and ran out 73-56 (21-3) winners, Durham’s only bright spot saw Barry Hopkins win 21-10 in the singles. That result did still see Durham lead the table but they needed a perfect storm of results in the final round of fixtures to progress.
As things turned out Yorkshire and Northumberland were locked on the same points three behind Durham. The host county Yorkshire saw their hopes fade as they lost 69-58 (21-3) to Lancashire, that left the door open for either Northumberland or Cumbria to grab top spot. In a cracking game Northumberland held their nerve to beat Cumbria 67-65 (18-6) which was good enough to take top spot and qualify for the latter stages at Leamington Spa in August.
Final Group – Northumberland 63, Yorkshire 48, Durham 48, Lancashire 45, Cumbria 36
There was better news for Durham women at the Walker Cup event held at Gosforth. In the opener against host county Northumberland the Durham ladies got home 68-63 (18-6) with wins in the pairs and triples. Jackie Rogan and Teresa Pearson’s 24-14 win in the pairs secured the overall score. In round two Durham were on point and it was a clean sweep against Cumbria 75-44 (24-0) to end the day as group leaders.
Durham’s final fixture on Day 2 was against Lancashire with the knowledge that a win would send Durham to Leamington. The Durham squad put in a five star performance notching back to back clean sweeps 85-45 (24-0) to book a place at Leamington Spa in August. The Durham squad was Sophie Wood, Jackie Rogan, Teresa Pearson, J Hewitson, Hazel Forster, J Pattison, Joan Brown, Sharon Tennet, Arlene Stafford and Fay Slinn.
Final Group – Durham 66, Northumberland 24, Lancashire 24, Cumbria 12
Round 5 in the Earl Cup saw both Roker Marine and Silksworth extend their unbeaten starts, Marine won 5-1 at Dairy Lane A while the Pumas won 5-1 at Seaham Town. Barnes Park had a narrow 42-40 win at Usworth and Dairy Lane B inflicted a third consecutive defeat on Sunderland by a couple of shots. The Division 2 leaders North Biddick made it five from five with a 5-1 win at Hylton Colliery. Whitburn are second after a 5-1 win at Houghton Town, Thompson Park beat Ryhope 6-0 as did Pemberton against Washington, the other game saw Hetton Workmen win 4½-1½ at South Hylton.
Round 2 in the Swan Cup saw both Seaham Town and Barnes Park’s unbeaten record intact. Seaham had a cracking 5-1 win at Dairy Lane and Barnes Park beat holders Silksworth Pumas 47-38. New Herrington got off the mark with a 6-0 win over Usworth and Roker Marine opened their account with a 5-1 win over Hetton Workmen. Division 2 leaders Pemberton lost 5-1 at Washington, Hylton Colliery beat Thompson Park 6-0 and their was a good away win for South Hylton 53-38 at Houghton Town.
The first round of fixtures in the Harold Howey saw holders Barnes Park beat Roker Marine A 3-1, there was better news for Marine B as they beat South Hylton 3-1. Dairy Lane B and Hylton Colliery are top after opening 4-0 wins. In Division 2 both Usworth and Thompson Park have yet to drop a point after 4-0 wins over Washington A and Houghton Town respectively.
In the Storey Bowl holders Hetton Workmen lost a thriller against Seaham Town 73-72, their were wins for Houghton Town and Hylton Colliery.
Silver Jacks Results – G McPheators (HDL) 6-21 P Thomson (RM), B Sanderson (BP) 24-12 D Carter (Su), R Mckie (RM) 10-18 P Rodgerson (Pem), J Bennett (SP) 11-14 (I Teasdale (TP), C Watson (NH) 28-8 R Bambrough (NB), K Miller (TP) 11-26 D Hill (BP), R Cragg (RM) 22-6 C Smith (Pem), P Hore (Su) 15-18 D Sykes (SP), M Higgins (ST) 17-19 T Halcrow (SP), J Sneller (SP) 24-5 S Farrell (Pem).
David Morgan Mixed Pairs – P Bambrough (HDL) bt J McLaren (HT)
In the BE Double Fours both Dairy Lane squads made progress, the A team beat Dunston 36-21 and will head to Stockton West End next, the B team beat Pemberton 33-27 and will host Darlington Woodlands next on June 1. In the Top Club Pemberton lost 4-1 at home to Pelton Fell.
Barnes Park’s Bryan Sanderson moved into the next round of the Over 60’s Singles with a 21-15 win over Elm Tree’s Lindon Wilson. Silksworth’s Jon Bennett beat New Herrington’s Michael White 21-8 to set up a clash with Sanderson. In the Over 60’s Pairs Dairy Lane’s Steve Hanlon lost at home 20-6 against Pelton Fell’s Phil Stoker, the Pumas John Leeman beat Barnes Park’s Bryan Sanderson 21-17, Dairy Lane’s Ron Dixon is a round ahead of everyone else after a 22-19 win over Lyndhurst’s Paul Langley.
Women’s County Result (Stella Logan) – Durham 73-73 Northumberland (4½-5½)