BOWLS REPORT - August 13th 2011

The first two league titles of the season have been decided, firstly in the Harold Howey Vet’s division one holders Barnes Park B have retained there title, with an unassailable 10½ point lead Barnes retained there title with a win over Lumley however hopes of finishing unbeaten were dashed following a defeat by Roker Park B. The second title to be decided was in the Howey division three as long time leaders and still unbeaten in 12 games Houghton Dairy Lane B are promoted as champions, Houghton have only dropped 2½ rink points out of a maximum of 48 points. Back in the Howey division one league the battle to avoid the drop looks to be between three teams, with Houghton Town (12½) looking favourites for one of the places the remaining place looks to be between Roker Marine A (15½), Washington A (17) and Houghton Dairy Lane A (18½). In division two Ryhope A need only 2½ points from there last game to seal a return to division one, the remaining place is wide open as only four points cover six teams, the two relegated teams are Barnes Park A and Sunderland A. The remaining promotion spot in division three is between three teams with Thompson Park (34) the favourites from Pennywell A (30½) and Hylton CW A (30). In the Storey Bowl Hetton Workmen’s lead has been cut to just three points from Seaham although Hetton have played two games less. The top of the table battle in the Swan Cup division one saw Houghton Dairy Lane defeat holders Silksworth 4½-2½, that win leaves Houghton only half a point behind Silksworth with two games remaining, at the foot of the table three sides are locked on 24½ points – Barley Mow, North Biddick & South Hylton. In division two Houghton Town (56½) have a healthy 7½ points lead over Lumley and Washington. The race for the Earl Cup division one title is still wide open as all three teams collected 6-1 wins, with two games to play the standings are Roker Marine (68), Houghton DL (65) and Silksworth (62), at the foot of the table Herrington Workmen’s (23½) look set to take one of the relegation places while only six points cover the next five teams. The race for promotion looks like two from three as Sunderland (52½) and Houghton Town (51) have a slight advantage over Washington (48).

The draw for this years Sunderland & District champion of champions has been made and holder Barley Mow’s Brian Sanderson has a rare chance to retain the title, the only other player to achieve the feat was also a Barley Mow player T.Tindle back in 1946, the full draw is as follows –

First Round – T.Grimes (Pemberton) v B.Sanderson (Barley Mow), K.Fairweather (Barnes Park) or A.Bate (Dawdon) v A.Patterson (Grindon), Pat Thomson (Roker Marine) v F.Froud (Barnes West End), K.Stoker (Houghton Town) v J.McAdoo (Seaham), G.Wallace (Herrington Workmens) or J.Boyne (Lumley) v R.Nicholson (Ryhope), M.Smith (Usworth) v T.Collon (Whitburn) or D.Hulley (Thompson Park), M.Thompson (North Biddick) v M.Thomson (Washington) or JT.Todd (Sunderland), A.Dunn (Houghton DL) v  J.Purdy (Hetton) or D.Bolt (Silksworth)

 

Veterans Champion of Champions Draw

A.Ferguson (Silksworth) v R.Sanderson (Barley Mow), T.Murphy (Hetton Wkmens) v T.Jones (Pemberton), L.Todd (Houghton DL) v A.Welsh (Seaham), D.Hulley (Thompson Park) v A.Wilkinson (Houghton Town), M.Lowis (Grindon) or E.Reid (Ryhope) v W.Heslop (Whitburn), J.Smith (Roker Marine) v K.Fairweather (Barnes Park), M.Murphy (Wearmouth) v P.Talbot (Herrington Wkmens), JT.Todd (Sunderland) v W.Piggott (North Biddick)

 

Sunderland & District president Jeff Wilson took his tour team to Bury St Edmunds, during the week the tourists enjoyed some fine weather and decent bowling surfaces and returned home unbeaten from the six match programme, next season’s tour will be heading to Ayrshire and anyone interested in joining the tour can contact the district secretary Eric Weightman.  

 

At the ladies national championships at Leamington there was disappointment for the Houghton trio of Susan Foster, Glynis Morgan and Joan Rodgerson, following a good opening round 20-10 win over Hants K.Kerley they went out 19-5 in the second round to Devon’s N.Wilkins. There was good news for the north east in the ladies Over 55 pairs as the Consett duo of Theresa Pearson & Gill Jones took the title beating Kent’s C.Morton 25-17 in the final, the Consett duo were beaten in the final last year.