D Taylor

Last updated 01:00, Thursday, 14 June 2007

Bowls

By David Taylor

CUMBRIA’s much-vaunted Armstrong side made the trip to Southport on Saturday for their first encounter of the season and despite the conditions came away with a great 17-1 win.

The Southport greens were quite reasonable in the mid-80s but have gone downhill since and one of the more experienced Cumbria players said that Saturday’s conditions were as bad as he had encountered in all his playing career.

Team manager Peter Irving had chosen a blend of youth and experience and though the youngsters struggled with the conditions they rose to the challenge and acquitted themselves admirably.

The team manager certainly led by example skipping his four to a resounding 34-13 win over D. Wilson. Robin Phillips accounted for D. Mulholland 26-13 and Andrew Baxter beat N. Macfarlane by three.

The only point lost was by David Baxter and he still emerged with credit playing a good last bowl to earn a draw against K. Higham.

All in all it was a most encouraging start though it has to be a concern that county fixtures are played under these conditions.

After a good start to the campaign against Yorkshire 12 days ago, Cumbria make the journey to Spennymoor on Saturday for the second group game against Durham.

Durham had hoped that the appointment of Cliff Simpson as team manager would have encouraged their best players to make themselves available and while one or two have returned, their side is still not as strong as it might be and I see no reason why Cumbria’s dominance should not continue.

Team manager John Bell has made only one enforced change for Saturday’s game. Paul Barlow is unavailable and his place at three will be taken by Rick Gallagher who was not available for the last game.

Cumbria’s second team will also be in action on Saturday, entertaining Yorkshire at Edenside.

Team manager Dennis Neale has kept faith with the players who secured a 20-2 win over Lancashire at Whitehaven with the only change involving Vic Emmerson who replaces Dean Haney who is not available.

Cumbria head the Alsop league table on shots difference from Northumberland who have played two games against Cumbria’s one and with another win for Cumbria on the cards I expect to see us extend the lead at the head of table.

Cumbria’s youngsters scored a good first round win over Durham in May and travel to Kirbymoorside in Yorkshire on Sunday for the regional finals.

The eight players performed well against Durham and the only change for Sunday’s game sees John Bell return to the side and John Fieldhouse move to reserve.

The first game starts at 10am against Lincolnshire with the winners meeting Northumberland or Yorkshire in the quarter final later in the day.

There is no doubt that Cumbria’s youngsters have matured in the last 18 months and I hope that they will be able to win on Sunday and go on to repeat their last success at Worthing back in 2005.

Ten of Cumbria’s newest prospects took centre stage at Dalston on Sunday when the Under-18 Singles Championship was played down to the last two.

Not surprisingly, having already been selected for the England Under-25 side, Workington’s David Forster made it to the final where he will meet Silloth’s Adam Hocking.

Forster beat David Pattinson in the semi-final and it looked like being a repeat of last year’s final when Ryan Prince led Hocking 19-11.

Hocking, however, stuck to his task admirably to win the semi-final 21-20. Because of international commitments the final date has not yet been agreed.

Entries are still being taken for the Annual Race Week Tournament but they must be in no later than Sunday evening, as the draws for each of the five events will be made on Monday.

If you haven’t already done so contact Gerry Bardgett as soon as possible.

The county singles have reached the last 16 and they will play off tomorrow night.

At Appleby, John Fieldhouse plays John Baird and Alan Walker meets Paul Wallace. At Courtfield Stephen Walker faces Neil Karge and Anthony Little will play Stephen Farish.

At Edenside Rick Gallagher faces David Sparrow while national indoor singles champion Craig Docherty faces a tricky game against Danny May. Also at Edenside, Mark Nanson meets John Crozier and Colin Jefferson will play Bob Au.

In the Thursday League a 10-0 win for Subscription at neighbours Courtfield saw them open up an eight-point lead at the top of the table.

The leaders’ nearest pursuers Edenside finished 5-5 at Brampton. Holme Head recorded another win, beating British Rail 6-4 while Dalston accounted for West End 8-2.

The top of the table in the Over-60s is very tight. Subscription are in pole position on 46 after beating Edenside 8-2. Courtfield remain second after winning 8-2 against Dalston just two points behind while Wetheral retain their third place after winning 8-2 at home to Stanwix.

West End are just one point further back after winning 7-3 at Railways and an 8-2 home win for Currock sees them in fifth on 41. Despite their 8-2 defeat at Courtfield Dalston remain within striking distance on 40.

Durham v Cumbria at Spennymoor, Saturday, 2pm

D May, S Beattie, M Nanson, S Airey; K Harrison, R Gibson, R Gallagher, S Farish; D Forster, E Orchard, N Karge, JN Bell; D McManus, M Irwin, C Docherty, N Currie; JA Bell, S Bowman, S Irwin, B Sherwen; S Walker, J Baird, I Airey, R Chandler; Reserve: D Gregory.

Cumbria v Yorkshire at Edenside BC Saturday June 16 at 2pm

W Bateman, R Litt, C Phillips, H Stewart; L Kelly, T Kelton, A Prince, A Little; J Lowther, R Irving, D Blackmore, A McGuiness; J Fieldhouse, B Fieldhouse, D Neale, P Metcalf; B O’Hare, G Robson, B Ditchburn, R Cox; D Cannon, R dent, V Emmerson, A Green; Reserves: A Walker, I Wells, B Warren, P Bannister.

Cumbria v Lincoln Under-25 two Rink at Kirbymoorside Sunday at 10am

D Forster, S Beattie, S Bowman, D May; JA Bell, K Harrison, M Irwin, S Irwin; Reserve: J Fieldhouse