Tonight saw the opening round of the Men’s 4 Bowl Singles, with no fewer than 5 former champions in first round action. However 2 of these ties have already been concluded, with 4 time champion Richard Train (G) winning at Forth yesterday, defeating Fred Buckley. The other tie was a walk-over for Gosforth’s Michael Bennett, where Michael received a walk-over from Roy Goldsmith, as Roy is recovering after a mild heart attack. I am sure we wish Roy a speedy and healthy recovery – best wishes Roy.
The other 3 former champions all faced away games; Chris Yeomans won at Gosforth Garden Village against Mark Stanners, Michael Cymber (G) recorded an impressive away win over Benfield’s Tom Birdsey (21 – 5). The last former champion was Brian Houghton but Brian suffered defeat against Clive Knott at Hexham House.
In the other ties tonight it was a good evening for St. Georges; as it saw the 2019 runner up Alan Stewart had a good away win over Tom McMullen at Forth, Karl Jameson beat Alan Pomfrey at Benfield (21 – 5), Kevin Blaylock won at Alnwick, and Michael Barrass won at Seaton Sluice defeating Ian Whittiker 21 – 5. However there was better news for Whittiker’s Seaton Sluice colleagues, as it saw a great away win for John Watson at Astley Park against Graham Sivell, and Iain Dickinson had a good home win over Wooler’s Brian Davidson 21 – 11.
Other notable wins saw Simon Taws (PD) record a great away win at Backworth Welfare against Andy Johnson (21 -19), Stu Williams beat Aaron Robson (21 – 17), and Cramlington’s Keith Miller defeated Haltwhistle’s George Rogan.
The holder John Harthen (G), starts his defence next week, when the top half of round 2 starts – John faces an away game at Cramlington BC against Phil Ging.