The Jubilee Cup started on Sunday, with Forest Hall BC and St. Georges BC hosting, with no fewer than 12 clubs participating at each venue in stage 1.
At a wet St. Georges in Section A Newbiggin B skipped by Lee Birch qualified unbeaten for stage 2, in section B two clubs were vying for top spot with Morpeth A and Benfield B on 4 points each after two games, with Morpeth’s Bob Leeson having the slight edge on shots difference. However Benfield’s B rink skipped by Jonty King were not to be denied and opened up a decisive and match winning early lead of 8 – 0 and this continued and they duly won the game, booking their place for stage 2 next week with a 100% record. In the final section, C – after 2 games each club had won one and lost one, with the key game being between Morpeth B (Wally Ray) and Crawford Park (Liam Darling), as these teams had the greater shots difference compared to St. Georges and Hexham House A. However if this game ended in a draw then the winner of St. Georges Hexham House game would advance. For these clubs it was not to be as Crawford Park edged ahead 7 – 3 and duly finished of the game by winning 9 – 3 and qualifying for stage 2 next Sunday.
In the other section at Forest Hall there were was a 100% record in Section D for Collingwood as they progressed to stage 2, New Delaval Knights put the other 3 clubs in their group to the sword and advanced with an unbeaten record from Section E collecting 5 points. In the final section (F) Benfield A, recorded 3 impressive wins and qualified for stage 2 next week – actually they will face their club colleagues Benfield B in the same section at St. Georges BC.
I would like thank all the bowlers today, and also to both clubs in hosting – that is Forest Hall BC and St. Georges BC – thank you for your help on this and support – it is much appreciated. In particular – John Philip at Forest Hall and both Eddie Barber & Keith Lowery at St. Georges.