Barnard Castle Bowling Club
Monday Evening League
Four weeks down and seven to go, the sun might shine or the wind might blow. I always wanted to start off with a bit of a rhyme and now I have.
Following last week’s personnel juggling act, the Young ‘uns went for stability with Bob Lockyer and Alan Gowland going the whole hog against Boys in Blue Peter Rimmington and Dave Smith.
The first half was itself a game of two halves with the Boys taking the first four ends and the Young ‘uns taking the next four teeing up what should have been a scintillating second half.
However the Young ‘uns were once again slow out of the blocks but their joker on the 15th brought them to within two points. Unfortunately, the Boys hit back with theirs to take the game 11-7.
Trio Nova are struggling for numbers and had to cadge Graham Moore to come on at the break to replace Joan Lee, who had peaked early, and partner Rene Armstrong, whose rallying call is: “We’re not getting any younger you know” .
Their opponents the Alwyn Brothers are having a bit of a revival and Messers Dowson and Metcalf set off well, taking three of the first four ends and cruising into the break 5-3 up. All square with one to play it was Trio Nova who edged the last end to win 9-8.
Men in Black Angus Dowson and Neil Bailey started the night in the top spot but had to do some quick packing as joint second place the Bold Eagles, featuring John Robinson and Colin Watson, didn’t give them a look in, going into the break 7-1 up.
The referee at this point was thinking of stopping the game to avoid further punishment but Angus and Neil were determined to carry on and duly lost the next three.
Following a pep talk, they made a bit of an effort and with the help of the joker reached six points, but the Boldies made it to12 points.
John Tallentire and David Gurnhill, representing Team Kryptonite, succumbed to their first defeat of the season. In a tight game against Likely Lads Peter Shovlin and Paul Craddock they were tied 3-3 after six ends, 6-6 after 12 and 8-8 with one to play. However, keeping their joker back, the Lads took a sneaky two to win 10-8.
The stress of organising the ladies’ team seams to be taking its toll as once again Gillian Harle and Debbie Bailey, of the Lavender Ladies, produced a below par performance on their way to collecting four points.
Matters weren’t helped when Odd Bowl Kevin Cross, finding himself “Billy no mates” , poached Frank Ashmore and together they went in at the break 8-0 up. The Lavs managed to win three ends, including their joker, but by then the Oddies were on 14 points.
Wall and Watters did themselves no harm, winning their game against the Pink Panthers 12-5.
Ann Hodgson and Denise Dent kicked off for the Pinkies, Mary Lambert came on at halftime and they were holding their own just two adrift at 5-7 after 12 ends. However Stephen and Neil had been hanging back for bets and took the last four ends to finish on 12 points.
It’s still tight, sharing room service at the top spot on 43 points are Wall and Watters and the Bold Eagles. Just outside the door are the Odd Bowls on 42 points with Team Kryptonite coming up the stairs with 39 points.
Meanwhile looking for someone to service their room on desolation row are Trio Nova with 22 points.
JT
Men’s Vets League
THE A team were away at Darlington Hundens B, winning 4-0. Top rink honours went to Graham Moore, Frank Ashmore and Neil Watters following their 27-9 win.
The B team entertained Darlington Woodlands B and are top of the league after securing a 4-0 win.
Top rink went to David Gurnhill, John Tallentire and John Robinson, who won 22-7 helping to take the long game 61-40.
Men’s Darlington and
District League
BARNEY were drawn at home against Middleton-St-George in the first round of the knockout and progressed to the next round with a 5-0 win.
Top rink went to Brian Smurthwaite, Neil Bailey and Kevin Cross, who won 29-8 helping Barney to the long game 89-45.
Birkbeck Singles
AFTER a closely contested round-robin competition, Kevin Cross found himself in the final with eight points and a better shots difference than the other two on eight points.
His opponent, winning through from group two, was Neil Bailey who amassed nine points, but he couldn’t keep his form going and lost out 3-2 in the final.
Ladies bowls
TUESDAY’S Evening League match was at home against Darlington South Park Thunderbirds. Barnard Castle scored three league points with the rink of Laura Angel, Ursula Munnerley and June Parkin winning 28-10. The home team took the long game 63 shots to the Thunderbird’s 43.
In the Afternoon League match on Thursday, again at home, our opponents were another South Park team. The same trio again scored convincingly winning 25-11. All three rinks played well to take the long game 66-37 and all four points.
Do get in touch if you fancy trying bowls – 01833 631900.
JP
