We were treated to some exciting games today at Portland BC for the first set of finals taking place for the Women’s County Finals as well as the Men’s Junior Pairs.
Morning Session:
- Men’s Junior Pairs
The Men’s Junior Pairs saw holders St. Georges Dragons Luke Jameson & Benfield’s Matty Bishop take on New Delaval Knights Pair in Paul Shilton & Alex Scott. The Delaval lads started well leading 4 nil after 3 ends, and held a slight advantage reaching the half way stage (9 ends) – leading 7 – 5. This lead was extended out to 10 – 5 after 11 ends, but Jameson & Bishop hit back scoring a treble, and then 2 shots 2 ends later to only trail 11 – 10 and on the next end game the match was level at 11 all with 3 ends to go. Each end Bishop and Scott turned heads and on occasions it was bowl for bowl. The New Delaval lads scored a two to take the lead again 13 – 11, with only 2 to play. On end 17 Jameson & Bishop lay shot and Scott attacked the head and got a result to lie one shot, Bishop with his last bowl narrowly failed to get the shot, which meant Shilton & Scott were 3 up playing the last end. Shilton played a tremendous end, lying 2 with his first two bowls, and with his 3rd bowl turned the jack past the bowls and out of sight. Despite Jameson & Bishop’s efforts to disturb the shot bowl and to convert it was not to be, and Paul Shilton & Alex Scott lifted the Junior Pairs title and their first Bowls Northumberland title as well. Unlike other events we only send the winners (same as Senior Fours) to the National Finals. I would like to congratulate all players not only how they way they played, but how they conducted themselves throughout. Well done – the future is certainly bright!
- Womens’s Pairs Final
H.Smith (GC) 16 v K.Milner (M) 14
Heather and Ann got off to a strong start and were leading 5-1 after 3 ends. Then Karen and Fiona replied taking the following 2 ends to cut their deficit to 3-5. GC then scored a 1& 2×2 on the next 3 ends to extend their lead to 10-3. The Morpeth pair kept the pressure on and took the next 3 ends with 2×1& 3 to reduce their deficit again to 8-10. By end 13 the teams were level on 12-12. GC took the following 3 ends to lead 16-12 and even though Morpeth scored on the last 2 ends it was not enough and Heather and Ann won the game 16-14.
Both teams played exceptionally well through heavy rain at times but that didn’t affect the quality of play!
Congratulations to Heather and Ann from Gosforth Coxlodge becoming County Pairs Champions.
- Women’s 2 Bowl Singles Final:
R.Cartwright (BD) 15 v S.MacDonald (HX) 4
Rachel took an early lead and was winning 5-1 after 5 ends. After 12 ends she had extended her lead to 9-3.
Both Rachel and Susan fought hard and played some brilliant shots, but it was Rachel who was on fire on ends 13-15 taking 3×2 to lead 15-3. Susan took the last end with 1 shot but it meant Rachel could not be beaten as she won the game 15-4 and has secured her place at the National Finals.
Congratulations to Rachel from Benfield becoming our County 2 Bowl Champion.
Afternoon Session:
- Women’s 2 Bowl Champion of Champions Final:
B.Ware (WM) 14 v K.Proctor (BD) 15
After 3 ends Bev was leading 3-1, but then Kayleigh took the following 3 ends to lead 5-3. Kayleigh extended her lead after 9 ends to 8-4. Bev then replied taking the following 3 ends to level the game 8-8 after 12 ends. Kayleigh scored 2×2 to re take the lead after 14 ends 12-8. Bev replied with a 2 to cut the deficit back to 10-12, but then Kayleigh scored 3 on the following 2 ends to lead 15-10. Bev took the last 4 ends with 4×1, but not managing to score a much needed 2 to level it back up. Kayleigh won the game 15-14.
Congratulations to Kayleigh on becoming our County 2 Bowl Champion of Champions.
- Women’s 4 Bowl Champion of Champions Final:
N. Scott (ND) 19 v R. Cartwright (BD) 21
This game certainly had the spectators on the edge of their seats, witnessing some great shots played by Naomi and Rachel.
Rachel took an early lead of 5-1 after 5 ends. After 10 ends Rachel still had the lead with 9-4. By end 13 Naomi had cut her deficit to 7-10. Rachel scored on the next 2 ends to extend her lead to 12-7. Naomi then scored a 3&4 to take the lead for the first time with 14-12 on end 17. The game was level on end 18 at 14-14. With some exciting play from both ladies the score was level at 18-18 after 24 ends and after 26 ends they were level again on 19-19. It was Rachel who took a 2 on the last end to win the game 21-19.
Congratulations to Rachel on becoming our County 4 Bowl Champion of Champions.
- Women’s Senior Fours Final:
P. Browne (BD) 23 v K. Milner (M) 14
Benfield got off to a strong lead of 8-1 after 5 ends. Morpeth took the next 2 ends to cut their deficit to 4-8. Benfield got in their stride and dominated the following 6 ends to extend their lead to 19-4. Morpeth then replied with a 5&3 to cut their deficit to 12-19. Benfield immediately responded taking a 4 on end 16 to lead 23-12. Morpeth took the last 2 ends but unfortunately it was not enough and Benfield won 23-14 and have secured their place in the National Finals.
Congratulations to Benfield on becoming our County Senior Fours Champions.
Thank you to Portland BC for your excellent support in hosting this event, and for providing non stop hot drinks and refreshments which were greatly appreciated.
Our thanks yet again also go out to our much valued umpires (AM Murray & J Proctor) who weren’t kept too busy today, I’m sure that will change tomorrow!
It was great to see so many spectators coming to support our County Finals, despite the weather conditions!
More finals tomorrow, with 9 games taking place – so please join us for more exciting bowling and we are all praying for some more sunshine!! (at least the forecast says it is meant to be better!)