Barnard Castle Bowls Club
Monday Evening League
AFTER the previous week’s monsoon it was a pleasure to get back on the green in such marvellous bowling conditions. It obviously helped the players as three teams scored 13 points and four scored 12.
The Boys in Blue featuring old faithfuls George Armstrong and Don Hutchinson were on top form, going in at halftime 7-1 up against Bold Eagles John Robinson and Bill Carter. The cup of tea did nothing to raise the Boldies’ game and despite a lot of huffing and puffing the Boys stuck to their task, winning 13-4.
The Evergreens were able to field their original team in the form of Marjorie Nelson and Beryl The Peril Embleton for their game against the The Likely Lads who started proceedings with Peter Shovlin and Kevin Mannion.
The Evergreens were 5-3 up at halftime when the Lads decided to play their sub Dennis Richards, who was well stoked up on half a dozen biscuits.
This move had the desired effect as Marj and Beryl never moved while the Lads raced on to 12 points.
The Lavender Ladies were in cracking form when they took on the Oddbods who, you may remember, walloped WWW last time out. The Bods started with Mike Courtley and Cannon Ball Ken Wilson but they were no match for Gillian and Joan who powered their way to a 8-1 lead at halftime.
John Dent and Colin Metcalfe were handed the reins for the Oddbods and brought a bit of respectability to the score, but the Lavs still romped home 13-5.
Team Kryptonite’s numbers were severely depleted so John Tallentire had to recruit permanent substitute John Brown to help out for their game against the Pink Panthers featuring Ann Hodgson and Deadly Denise Dent.
TK were always chasing the game having shots taken off them by the girls who have both come on in leaps and bounds and fully deserved their 10-7 win.
The Alwyn Brothers were at full strength with the Dowson/ Metcalf combo taking on Joyce Chapman and Rene Armstrong from the Redbreasts, with Ursula Munnerley getting a runout at halftime.
One apiece after two ends then two apiece after four was as close as it got as the Alwyns powered their way to 13 while the RBs struggled along to five points.
The Men in Black started off with Angus Dowson and Neil Bailey and were cruising along nicely as they went in at halftime 5-3 up against Odd Bowls Alan Butcher and Kevin Cross.
A tactical talk between the MIB during the break resulted in Neil getting a rest and Frank Ashmore coming off the bench. Due to lack of any other choice the Oddies plodded on with the same personnel and were eventually beaten 12-5.
The Quattro Amigos didn’t have much of a selection quandary as there was only Kevin Murray and Chuck Hughes to choose from.
Their opponents the Carter Family once again went with their youth policy and played Pam and Tim who had been allowed to stay up late.
It was nip and tuck for the first eight ends with both teams going into the break on four points.
It was a different matter in the second half as Pam and Tim’s lack of match practice started to show allowing the Amigos to romp home 12-5.
Wix, Wall and Watters were still smarting from their first week drubbing at the hands of the Oddbods but there was to be no repeat as Neil Watters and Stephen Wall got into their stride against Margaret Sparrow and June Parkin from Trio Nova.
This was another game when things were fairly tight at halftime but the girls couldn’t keep pace with a rejuvenated WWW and were eventually beaten 12-5.
Once again the Boys in Blue can enjoy the facilities at the top spot with 25 points but they had better look out as Quattro Amigos and the Alwyn Brothers are sniffing around the door with 23 apiece.
Meanwhile, on Desolation Row, the Carter Family are becoming more familiar with the surroundings on ten points.
Men’s Vets
THE A team entertained Richmond and recorded a 3-1 win. Kevin Cross, Dave Walker and Malcolm Branthwaite made up the top rink winning 25-13 helping the town to the long game 56-45.
It was a similar result when the B team visited Middleton St George. It was a bit of a struggle on a heavy green but the lads dug deep to take three of the four points on offer.
Top rink consisted of George Armstrong, Kevin Mannion and John Tallentire who won 26-10. Barney took the long game 52-47.
Men’s Thursday
Evening League
IT was knock-out week and both teams were at home.
The A team played Bishop Auckland while the B team took on Darlington North Park and it was a good night for the club as both teams progressed to the next round.
The A team won 3-2 with Alwyn Metcalf, Stephen Wall and Neil Watters making up the top rink, winning 33-11.
The B team went one better taking the tie 4-1 with top rink honours going to Kevin Murray, John Brown and John Walker who won 29-7.
Club Triples
THIRTY players were randomly drawn into teams of three and should have played five games with ten points on offer.
However, the elements were against us and only three were played before conditions became too bad.
It was decided that was enough to constitute a match and the winners with six points were Mary Lambert, Alwyn Dowson and Kevin Cross.
There were five teams on four points but with the better shots difference of +15, Tony Barkshire, Peter Rimmington and Peter Shovlin took the runner up position.
JT
Ladies’ bowls
THE opening Evening League match was at home against Bedale. Barnard Castle took three points with Denise Dent, June Parkin and Beryl Embleton winning their rink 20-12 and the home team taking the long game 49-47.
Honours were shared in the Afternoon League match at Northallerton.
On an unusually fast green for the start of the season, Anne Hodgson, Mary Lambert and Beryl Embleton won their rink 15-9.
Debbie Bailey, June Parkin and Rene Armstrong were unlucky to lose by one shot on the last end from a wayward opposing wick, but Barnard Castle took the long game 44-41 and two points.
JP
