Bowls
Monday Evening League
It was the final night of the league and it produced more drama than the Old Vic.
The Blue Aces only had to keep up their run of good form but with Dennis Richards injured, was it all going to end in tears? Gillian and Debbie were up against the Young’ns featuring Blistering Bob Lockyer and Alan Gowland who won the last two ends to finish on eight apiece putting the Aces on 134 points.
The Bold Eagles who have led for most of the season gave all of their team a run out starting with Colin Watson and John Robinson, with Graham Moore replacing John at the break.
Their opponents PPK led off with Paul Craddock and Peter Rimmington holding Kelvin Cox back to replace Peter at half-time. PPK seemed to lose their way as for five ends they got stuck on three, allowing the Boldies to reach ten while with the aid of the joker they made it to seven.
It must be said Team Kryptonite have had better nights as first Tony Short Bowls and John Tallentire and then Tony and Dynamic Dave Gurnhill struggled to keep up with Stan Zaremba and Alan Wearmouth from the Odd Bowls.
TK were 6-2 down at the break and never really recovered and with both teams playing successful Jokers the game went to the Oddies 12-6.
The Rock & Rollers set off like a house on fire as Kath and Dave Palmer cruised to a 6-2 lead at the break when Kath was replaced by Lynda Zaremba.
The recipients of this mauling were Bill Carter and Jane Sampson and at halftime Frank Goat came into the fray. I’m not sure who went off but it didn’t make any difference as the R&Rs showed no mercy running out 11-5 winners.
The Red Robins finished with a strong performance when first Lyn Blackburn and Rene Armstrong then Dianne and Geoff Pusey kept the score ticking along to reach nine points. Their opponents the Limelights gave Penny Jacques a full shift partnering first Chris Swift then Ursula Munnerley and despite a slow start they also scored nine.
The Winchesters were another team slow out of the blocks trailing 6-2 at the break. A second team briefing had decided that Kevin Murray should go the whole hog with Rob Dominick replacing Billy Wilson. Things did improve in the second half enabling them to score seven points.
Over in the other corner the Men in Black started with Neil Bailey and Frank Ashmore with Angus Dowson taking over from Frank for round two. They just managed to do enough to stave off the Winchesters’ challenge and finished on nine points.
As I said last week Cockfield Connections were coming up on the rails but I thought they might have left it too late but I was wrong.
Starting with Neil Watters and Michael Littlefair they stormed their way to a 9-0 lead at the break completely marmalising Pink Panther’s Denise and Abbie Dent who were both doing a full shift. Michael stepped aside for super sub Alwyn Dowson as the CCs eventually reached 13 while the PP’s had to settle for five.
But what’s this? That put Cockfield on 134 points the same as the Blue Aces so a one-end sudden death shoot out was required to settle the runner up spot.
Both teams stuck to the same players as the lead changed hands until ice cool Neil Watters found a gap and slotted in the winning bowl.
There you have it, the Bold Eagles have taken over the Top Spot with 142 points and the Red Robins were hoping to overtake the Pink Panthers but failed and have Desolation Row to themselves with 75 points.
So that’s the 16th year of the league finished and thanks to all the teams for their good sportsmanship.
Darlington and District Vets
The A team were playing Darlington Hundens at home and it was a very tight game. Saying that, they only got one point from the rink of Michael Littlefair, Frank Goat and Alan Wearmouth who won16-15. However they only lost the long game 48-51.
The B team got four points without getting out of bed as Darlington North Park couldn’t get a team and conceded the game.
Darlington and District Thursday Evening League
The team was without some of its regulars which was a shame as they were playing against the strong and in-form Spennymoor A.
Barney managed one point, curtesy of Peter Rimmington, Angus Dowson and John Robinson who won 17-14. Suffice to say on the other rinks we bowled too many bad bowls while they bowled too many good ones.
JT
Ladies bowls
For a refreshing change, Tuesday, July 23, was a very pleasant weather wise and Barnard Castle played with two rinks against Lodge Ladies.
The rink of Chris Swift, Debbie Bailey and June Parkin seemed an even match. On the eighth end they were all square with seven points each, but after that the Lodge Ladies only scored another four points whilst Barnard Castle went from strength to strength to win their match 24-11.
On the other rink, with Penny Jacques, Mary Lambert and Gillian Harle, it was a one-sided affair with our ladies winning 26-3.
Barnard Castle also won the long game 50-14, thus gaining the maximum four points on the league table.
On Thursday, July 25, Barnard Castle ladies travelled to Darlington to play Woodlands. Weather was good, conditions were fine but it was a disappointing afternoon.
We lost all three rinks and the long game, 30-66, so no points were gained. It was a baptism of fire for Jane Sampson playing in her first ever league game.
In fact her rink, consisting of Jane, Denise Dent and Debbie Bailey put up a very good fight considering they were up against a former British Isles Bowls Champion, Ann Anderson, only losing 14-18.
PJ
