Men’s Triples

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Friday evening brought the conclusion of round 4 of the Men’s Triples.

Earlier in the week the reigning champions, in Morpeth’s Wally Ray lost at Gosforth to Chris Yeomans; the Morpeth trio’s cause was not helped as they dropped an 8 on the very first end, and faced uphill battle from there, and ultimately Yeomans ran out 22 – 10 winners.

Tonight, there were many close contests – with 3 extra ends needed in 3 games, and 2 other ties being won by 1 shot.

The extra ends, first up at St. Georges where Neil Aitchison took on Westerhope’s Luke Heard, Luke was 20 – 17 up, but dropped a 3 on the 18th end; however Luke scored on the extra end to take the tie 21 – 20. Luke will be at Gosforth next week, and will take on Chris Yeomans. The other two games with the extra ends, one was at Gosforth, where Simon Richardson took on namesake George Richardson from Ashington, in a game which ebbed and flowed, with the lead changing hands throughout in a tight tussle. Home favourite Richardson moved the jack on the last end to score a double, and to take the tie in to an extra end (score 15 – 15). On the extra end Gosforth’s James McKenna (2nd for Simon) bowled a great shot, which sat in the front of the jack, and despite Ashington’s George Richardson efforts could not dislodge the bowl and Gosforth took the victory.  Across the green Gosforth’s Jimbo Curtis took on New Delaval Knights Graham Sivell; the Knights took control of the game and took the Gosforth trio to the sword in the early stages, and stormed in to 11 – 1 lead. Curtis hit back to only trail 12 – 9 after 10 ends, but Sivell scored a 4 on the next end to lead 16 – 9. Curtis continued to trim the deficit, and with 2 ends to play the score was 18 – 15 in favour of the Knights. In the penultimate, end 17, Gosforth built up a good head, lying 2 or 3 shots, but Sivell replied to take the shot, Curtis tried to remove the bowl but was slightly off target. But Sivell with last bowl in hand trying to secure a second shot, moved the jack, and gave the shot to the Gosforth trio. The last end was played out, and Curtis managed to score a 3, and take the win (and certainly used their get out of jail card tonight!) – final score 19 – 18.  Next up for Curtis, will be Benfield’s Brian Rootham (under P Carr), as Rootham had a great away win at Walker St. Peters tonight. In a tight tussle, 6 – 6 at 9 ends, 10 all at 16 ends, it needed an extra end to separate the teams, with the Benfield triple getting the victory – winning 12 – 11 over John Slasor, Gary Lambert, and Michael Simmonette.

The last game to have a one shot advantage, was down at the Sluice! Where Seaton Sluice’s Paul Brookwell, Ian Whittaker, and Paul Erskine overcame the Gosforth triple of Dave Lane, Dickie Train and Dillon Slasor, scoring a vital and game winning single on the last end to win 16 – 15. Erskine will have another home game next week and will face Gosforth’s Simon Richardson.

The last two games to report, saw decisive and resounding victories. Firstly at North Shields West End, saw Michael McGill take on Portland’s dynamic trio in Richard Varley, Bob Liddle and Gren Richardson. Richardson raced in to a 19 nil lead at 8 ends, and this clearly was game ending start to the game, as the pattern continued for the Jesmond team and Richardson ran out 27 – 7 winners. Richardson will have home advantage next week, where he will face Cramlington’s Doughnuts Fantozzi! – as Tony tonight defeated another Gosforth triple, this time in Paul Timney. Like Gren Richardson’s game, Tony got off to a fantastic start – leading 16 nil at 5 ends, and this set the tone for the tie, and despite the West Avenue’s best efforts Fantozzi’s triple of Bryan Turner, Dave Clough ran out winners 24 – 7.

Well done to all concerned tonight – and the quarter finals are scheduled for next Friday.

To view the results and draw – CLICK HERE.