Well what a difference a day makes! The final day of our County Finals played at Portland BC took place in glorious sunshine, which brought out lots of spectators today, standing room only in some areas! They were all treated to some great games again today!
Morning session:
Men’s Fours:
New Delaval Knights took on St. Georges Dragons, and fresh from his junior pairs title Delaval skip Alex Scott was looking to double up, although same applied for his counterparts and opposition in Jonny Morgan & Darren Parkes after there pairs win on Friday evening. The game started well for the Knights, opening up a 7 – 1 lead after 6 ends, and 9 – 3 after 10 ends. The Dragons fought back over the next few ends to trim the deficit to 9 – 7, but a scoring run, where the Knights scored on four of the next five 5 ends, especially with great leading from Jamie Harrison throughout, and the game and title was heading to Blyth – with a final score of 16 – 9. Both of our representatives do qualify for the national finals and we wish both teams the very best of luck.

New Delaval Knights 4’s Winners: L to R: Graham Sivell, Jamie Harrison, Alex Scott, Dave ‘Starman’ Lovatt
Men’s Triples:
The Men’s triples was an all Gosforth affair, with Chris Yeomans taking on Jimmy Curtis. Yeomans triple started well leading 5 nil after 4 ends, and also led 8 – 3 after 8 ends. Curtis’s triple fought back to level at 8 all after 11 ends. But Yeomans hit back with 4 shots to lead again 12 – 8. Singles were exchanged, but the next end was possibly the turning point or decisive factor in the game (score 13 – 9 @ 14 ends). Curtis’s triple were holding 4 shots, with only one bowl from Jimmy Curtis to play, 2 foot to draw another and take the lead but unfortunately Curtis’s bowl arrived in to the head and was overweight, dragged the jack and only scored 1 solitary shot. The next end Yeomans scored a 4, and wrapped up the game on end 17 collecting a double to win 19 – 10. Again like the fours, both triples qualifiers go through to the national finals. One bit of information it was Dan Targar’s second county title, and was won on the actually same rink (rink 2) and same competition, and also against one of the opposition in that evening (John Harthen), as Dan’s first county title, where Dan’s triple won on an extra end on that occasion – back in 2012!
Men’s Junior Singles
Benfield’s reigning champion Matty Bishop took on Weterhope’s Jan Walton. The game was tight in the early stages, with the scores level at 5 all after 7 ends. But Bishop took the lead on the next end, and a lead that Matty would not relinquish. Jan was always within contention as was always 3 or 4 shots behind, and the gap narrowed to only 1 – with Bishop leading 13 – 12. But as soon as the gap narrowed Matty scored a 1, and 3 to lead 17 – 12. Again Jan fought back and scored 3 singles, to only trail 17 – 15. The pattern continued with Matty scoring a treble to only need 1 shot to regain his title. The end looked to be the last as Matty lay a good shot just off the edge of the rink, but Jan produced a bowl and got a result to score 2, and trail 20 – 17. However for Jan this proved to be his last scoring end, as Matty scored the vital shot to take the crown 21 – 17. Well done to both players, and both players will represent Bowls Northumberland at the National Finals next month.

County U25 Singles Champion – Benfield’s Matty Bishop
Women’s Triples:
K Proctor (BD) 24 v H Smith (GC) 16
The Benfield triple got off to a strong start again leading 9-2 after 5 ends. They kept the pressure on for the next 3 ends, despite Gosforth and Coxlodge getting in on the jack, Kayleigh was on fire today and just kept taking them out! After 8 ends they had extended their lead to 16-2. After 10 ends G&C had cut their deficit back to 5-16. Benfield took the following 2 ends to extend their lead to 19-5.
After 15 ends Benfield were still leading 22-7. Then an unusual mistake by Benfield on the 16th end gave 8 shots to GC cutting their deficit to 15-22. The game finished with Benfield winning 25-16.
Congratulations to Pat, Rachel and Kayleigh on becoming our 2024 County Triples Champions and retaining their title from last year.

Women’s Triples Champions – Benfield BC. L to R: Kayleigh Proctor, Pat Browne, Rachel Cartwright
Mixed Pairs:
S Roberts (P) 12 v G Myerscough (ST) 16
Gary and Victoria got off to a strong start and were leading 5-3 after 5 ends. They kept the pressure on Amy and Steve and they extended their lead to 12-4 after 10 ends. Steve and Amy then scored on the following 3 ends to cut their deficit to 9-12. Gary and Victoria immediately replied taking the next 2 ends to extend their lead to 15-9. Despite constant pressure from Steve and Amy, it was Gary and Victoria who won the game 16-12 after 18 ends.
Congratulations to Gary and Victoria on becoming our 2024 County Mixed Pairs Champions .

County Mixed Pairs Champions. Gary Myerscough (St. George’s Dragons) & Victoria Symons (Wooler BC)
Afternoon session:
Men’s Singles
The blue ribband event saw 2022 runner up in Gosforth’s Josh Minto take on Haltwhistle’s Jason Forster. The first end started well for Jason, lying two shots, but Josh with his last bowl drew the shot. Minto scored on end two, and Forster collected two singles on the next two ends to level the game at 2 all. The next few ends were pivotal in the result of the match. Minto collected a full count of 4, then collected a 3 on the next end to lead 9 – 2. The very next end Josh lay another 3, and with the two deepest bowls Jason played a runner for the jack, Jason connected with the jack but the jack stopped on Josh’s bowl and Josh scored another 3. The next end Jason’s luck was out again, Jason again was 3 shots down, and trying to promote his bowl lifted Josh in for another, and lead was 16 – 2. At this stage Josh, full of confidence, drawing exceptionally well and Jason had to pull out all the stops to get second or on the board. On the next two ends, singles were exchanged – so Josh lead 17 – 3, and scored a double on the next end to only need two shots to lift the title. Josh’s bowls were again on the jack and despite Jason’s efforts, Josh scored two shots to win the game and lift this prestigious title. Well done to both players, and for Jason – this is a first for the Haltwhistle club in reaching the Men’s singles final.

Singles Champion: Josh Minto (Gosforth BC)
Men’s Senior Fours:
Gosforth’s George Bennett took on St. George’s Dragons Gary Myerscough. The game was tight early on with the score being 3 all at 4 ends. The next end, Gosforth lay shot, but two tremendous bowls by Gary’s third player Steve Harvey, turned the head, and resulted in the dragons scoring a treble – to lead 6 – 3. The sparked a run of scoring, which ultimately proved decisive in the outcome of the game – as the Dragon’s lead 15 – 3. This was also extended to 18 – 4 after 12 ends, and despite Gosforth’s best endeavour’s, the game was done – with the final score being 20 – 7. Well done to all involved today and congratulations to the winners – Stephen Robson, Fred Short, Steve Harvey & Gary Myerscough – who will now represent Bowls Northumberland at the National Finals next month. The weekend was a good one for Steve Harvey, as Steve along with his son Phil qualified in the National Family Pairs yesterday – so that is another trip to Leamington for them – well done.

St. George’s Dragons Senior 4’s Winners: L to R: Fred Short, Stephen Robson, Steve Harvey, Gary Myerscough
Women’s 4 Bowl Singles Final:
F.Charlton (M) 5 v V.Symons (WR) 22
Victoria was still on fire after her mixed pairs game this morning and she took an early lead of 8-2 after 5 ends. Despite constant pressure from Fiona, Victoria was relentless, and had extended her lead to 17-4 after 10 ends. Victoria scored a 4 on end 13 to finish the game 22-5.
Congratulations to Victoria on becoming our 2024 4 Bowl Singles Champion and retaining her title from last year.

Women’s County Singles Champion: Wooler BC’s Victoria Symons
Women’s Fours Final:
B.Ware (WM) 13 v K.Proctor (BD) 20
W&M took an early lead in the first 2 ends but then they made a big mistake on end 3 by giving away a 6 when Kayleigh moved the jack back giving Benfield a lead of 6-2. W&M fought it back on the next 2 ends to cut their deficit to 5-6. However on end 6 Benfield confidently took another 6 to lead 12-5. After 9 ends Benfield were still in the lead with 14-6. After 13 ends Benfield had extended their lead to 19-8. W&M managed to score a 3&2 on the following 2 ends to cut their deficit to 13-19. Despite winning more ends than Benfield W&M knew it was too hard to come back from the 2×6 ends! Benfield confidently won the game 20-13.
Congratulations to Pat, Rosey, Rachel and Kayleigh on becoming our 2024 Women’s Fours Champions and retaining their title from last year.

Women’s County 4’s Champions: L to R: Kayleigh Proctor, Rosie Bartram, Rachel Cartwright, Pat Bowne (Benfield BC)
Massive thanks to Portland BC again for being great hosts, our umpires Jason and Ann-Marie, our markers and to all the spectators who have taken the time to come and support your clubs and our county bowling.
It has been a fab weekend and it was great to see a big increase in the numbers of supporters!