Barnard Castle BOWLS Club
Monday Evening League
THE weather was a bit damp but it did nothing to dampen the spirits of the intrepid Monday leaguers as they assembled for week two.
Team Kryptonite’s David Gurnhill and Tony ‘short bowls’ Barkshire set off like a house on fire as they took all four compulsory short ends and two others to go in at half-time 6-2 up. Following a tactical decision John Tallentire remained on the bench.
Their opponents, Kevin Cross and Alan Wearmouth representing the Odd Bowls, struggled with the heavier conditions and green variations, using the break to discuss what went wrong.
Following the conclusion that they just weren’t playing very well they got stuck in and won five of the last eight ends. However TK’s superior play carried them over the line 9-7.
The Alwyn Brothers were back and raring to go after a late fitness test to take on the Likely Lads, who this week featured Peter Shovlin and Paul Craddock.
Alwyns’ Metcalf and Dowson started brightly taking two of the first three ends but went downhill from there losing the next nine giving the Lads a 10-2 lead with four to play. Following some kind of divine intervention, the brothers’ form picked up and including the joker they took their total to six while the Lads finished on 11.
Trio Nova kicked off with Rene Armstrong and Joan Lee and if they were hoping for any gentlemanly generosity from Wall and Watters, they were sorely disappointed.
They trailed 6-2 at the break and even bringing on June Parkin for Joan Lee couldn’t stop the rot as Stephen and Neil pushed on to go 11-2 up with four to play. Trio Nova managed to win two of these and with both teams winning their jokers, the final score was 13-5.
Cries of anguish could be heard coming from rink four as Men in Black Angus Dowson and Neil Bailey took on Pink Panthers Ann Hodgson and Denise Dent. The first four ends were shared before the MiB pushed ahead to go in at the break 5-3 up.
Neil was deemed surplus to requirements, making room for Frank Ashmore who, along with Angus, kept the score ticking over and including a sneaky joker they reached ten points while the Pinks had to make do with seven.
The Young Ones were allowed to stay out late again giving Bob Lockyer and Bill Carter a run out for the first half against Gillian Harle and Debby Bailey representing the Lavender Ladies. Points were hard to come by for the Lavs but they persevered and were only 5-3 down at halftime.
I thought it was thundering but it turned out to be Bill’s stomach rumbling in anticipation of his meal out so he went and Brian Smurthwaite joined the fray.
Refreshed by the tea, the Ladies levelled the score at 5-5 with six to play and things were getting tense resulting in them not moving for five ends until they won their joker on the last end. Meanwhile, the Young ‘uns made it to 11.
The Bald Eagles are usually in with a shout but they had to work hard tonight. John Robinson and Graham Moore huffed and puffed against Boys in Blue Peter Rimmington and Dave Smith, going into the break at 4-4.
They were level in the tenth and the 12th but the Boys went into the last end one point in front. However, the Baldies had kept their joker back and by winning the last end snuck the game 9-8.
In the post match interview Graham said his back was aching with carrying John for most of the game.
With the scores in, it’s extremely tight at the top. The Likely Lads have kicked the Men in Black out off the top spot and have it all to themselves with 24 points, while Trio Nova would love to share Desolation Row with somebody on nine points.
JT
Club Triples
In this competition, the players are randomly drawn into threes and then play five games in a round-robin format.
There was keen competition across all the rinks but no team managed a full house of ten points.
After a slight hiccup, runners-up with seven points were David Gurnhill, Michael Littlefair and Alan Wearmouth and the winners were Alan Gowland, Alwyn Dowson and John Robinson with eight points.
Ladies bowls
After two years of no league fixtures, the ladies were decidedly rusty in their opening contest at home against Shildon.
Nevertheless, they did win two rinks and lost the third by only one shot.
Ursula Munnerley, Denise Dent and Debbie Bailey forged ahead towards the end of their match by achieving high scores on two successive ends and won 17-12.
Barnard Castle took the long game 43-34 and three league points.
We are always looking for new players. If you would like to try bowls, please contact 01833 631900.
JP
