Friday evening brought the start of the Men’s Fours.
First game to report was a a great home win for Seghill’s Ian Nolan, who defeated Gosforth’s Chris Yeomans (including in the rink Josh Minto, Simon Richardson and BJ Byles). Nolan’s quartet started well, 12 – 1 up after 7 ends. This pattern continued and Ian stretched the lead to 17 – 3 after 11 ends. Yeomans fought back and despite scoring on 6 of the last 7 ends, they could not overturn this deficit the Seghill quartet won the game 18 -12. Next up for Ian is another home draw next week against another Gosforth quartet.
It was a good evening for the Dragons, that is St. George’s – with the Northern God Gary Myerscough in action, against Benfield’s Daine Ross, where Gary was looking for revenge perhaps, as Daine defeated Gary in the singles on Monday evening. At 11 ends the Benfield four held a slender advantage, leading 8 – 6. But from this point the St. George’s rink scored 4, 2, 1, 6, and a 2 to wrap in the victory 21 – 8. Across the green at St. Georges saw an all St. Georges affair with Phil Harvey taking on clubmate Michael Barrass, with Michael playing 3 in the rink to Darren Parkes. For Phil the game started well 6 nil up at 5 ends, and 8 – 2 after 7 ends. But at the half way stage (at 9 ends) the scores were level at 8 all. With the momentum with Parkes, Darren collected 3 singles on ends 12, 13 and 14 to lead 12 – 9. Darren dropped a single on the next end, but scored a decisive treble on end 16 to lead 15 – 10, and despite Phil’s best efforts, scoring a 2 on end 17, and lying 3 shots on the last end with a bowl to come from Darren, and Darren removed one of the counting shots to only drop a 2, ultimately meaning Darren won the game by the solitary shot 15 – 14.
Another Dragons rink were in action, this time Neil Aitchison’s rink travelled to Rothbury to take on Mark Heron. There was nothing in the game through the first half – scores 4 – 3 to Neil @ 5, 6 – 5 @ 8. Neil scored a 4 on end 10 to lead 11 – 5, but Mark hit back with two 2’s to only trail 11 – 9 after 12 ends. But Neil’s rink scored on 4 of the last 5 ends to take the tie 19 – 11.
At Newbiggin, home favourite Barry Burgess took on Forest Hall’s Chris Coan (skipped by Joe Harrison), like the other game the opening exchanges were tight with Coan leading 4 – 3 after 5 ends. However, Coan scored 8 shots over the next 3 ends to lead 12 – 3, and this lead proved to be crucial and Coan’s quartet ran out 22 – 9 victors.
There has already been a couple of second round ties played – Brian Rodgerson (Percy) beating a rink from Astley Park 23 – 16. And the last game saw a good away win for the Rockcliffe Rollers over Cramlington’s Dave Clough. Clough led 5 – 1 after 5 ends, and this lead stretched to 13 – 3 after 12 ends. The rollers skipped by Darryl Illingworth scored a single, then a 3, to trial 13 – 7 with 4 ends to play. Clough scored a double on end 15 to lead 15 – 7. Illingworth replied with a single, then a 6, and then a double on the last end to clinch the game and unexpected victory 16 – 15.
The next round is scheduled for next Friday – 20th June, with the holders – New Delaval Knight’s Graham Sivell starting their campaign to regain their title at Health & Security’s Dave Thomas. Well done to all concerned, so far!
To view the results, and draw – CLICK HERE.