Last updated 13:35, Saturday, 12 April 2008

Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club trio in Carlisle was further enhanced this week when Craig Docherty, Trevor Taylor and Stephen Farish clinched the national triples title at Nottingham.

The same players won the title back in 2003 but they were even more impressive this week beating some high-class opposition in tremendous style. In the first round they saw off the challenge of Cotswold’s Dave Howes 22-5 and then followed up in round two with a scintillating 19-5 win over Lincoln’s Billy Jackson.

In the quarter final it was a similar story when coming up against a home trio skipped by international skip Brett Morley, the home side shaking hands after fourteen ends as Cumbria powered home 18-6. In the semi-final they looked to face their stiffest task when taking on a City of Ely triple, which included both Nicky Brett and Greg Harlow, two of the three highest ranked players in England.

This proved to be a tremendous battle with burned ends aplenty; indeed in one spell there were only two completed ends in eighty minutes of play. The Cumbria trio always just had the edge and though Harlow had a chance to win the game with his final bowl Cumbria held on well to win 17-13. The final against a Clarrie Dunbar triple skipped by another international Graeme Shadwell proved to be a much more straightforward affair as Cumbria once again powered to a superb victory 17-3 after fourteen ends.

Great stuff from the Cumbrians and after the game skip Stephen Farish was quick to praise the performances of his colleagues.

Earlier in the week Stephen Farish, pictured, skipped his fours side to a comfortable first round win and looked on course for a place in the quarter final when leading Richard Bray of Bodmin 17-8 with just six to play. As can so often happen a fluke which resulted in a count of four for Bodmin changed the game and with three to play Cumbria led 17-16. In the last three ends Cumbria could manage just a single while Bodmin picked up two singles to take the game by the minimum margin.

In the pairs Cumbria IBC was represented by Eddie Murray and Gavin Taylor and they held a slender lead for the majority of the game only to fade in the final quarter and go down 19-13. Further hopes of success at the championships now rest with Mark Nanson who represents the club in the singles on Friday

OUTDOOR BOWLS: The outdoor season is not yet under way but already there has been great news for eight of the county’s top players. The international selectors have included four players in the senior trial and four in the junior trial.

Not unexpected of course is the selection of current internationals Stuart Airey, Craig Docherty and Stephen Farish though it is good to see that Airey is to be given the opportunity of playing third for Farish in the trial. Airey skipped his Subscription four to the national title at Worthing last August and it was this achievement which probably accounts for the inclusion of club mate Richard Chandler who will also be playing third in the trial for Ian Bond of Devon.

In the junior trial John Bell, David Forster, and Danny May are all expected to retain their international places while Scott Beattie will be looking to earn his first cap. The junior trial takes place at Norgren Bowls Club in Warwickshire on May 24 at 11am while the senior trial takes place the following day at the same venue.