Friday evening brought the conclusion of round 3 of the Men’s Triples with no fewer than 16 ties to be staged and finalised – with the main headlines holders staying on track to retain title, and revenge for 2023 final loss.
Current holders Gosforth’s Chris Yeomans, with BJ Byles in the rink, replacing Dan Targar (who is not currently playing), along with Josh Minto recorded a good win at Rockcliffe winning 21 – 12. Across the green at Rockcliffe Benfield’s Jonty King (under Alan Gemmill) produced a strong second half, recovering from 8 – 4 down at 9 ends, to triumph 18 – 9. There was better news for another Roller’s triple S Blackett, who beat Clive Knott at Hexham Elvaston 20 – 19 (Blackett dropped a 7 on the last end).
At Morpeth BC, there was a repeat of the 2023 final, and saw a little bit of revenge perhaps, as St. Georges Dragons Phil Harvey beat home favourite Wally Ray 19 – 10. Harvey will have home advantage next week, and will play Percy’s Brian Rodgerson, who recorded a good but close victory of Harvey’s clubmate Gary Myerscough 14 – 10. Rodgerson scored 3 decisive singles on ends 15, 16 and 17 to lead 14 – 9, and Myerscough could only score a single, and the game was done. Another Morpeth v St. Georges clash was staged at Carlisle Park- with home player Gavin Milroy playing St. Georges M Bowyer, and Bowyer’s triple had a tremendous last few ends. At 12 ends the score was 10 all – but a run of 2, 2, 3, 4, 2 and another 2 – saw the dragons run out 25 – 12 victors. Next up for Bowyer is a home game against New Delaval Knight’s Ant Barke, who beat Gosforth’s George Bennett. There was also good news for another Knight’s triple with Graham Sivell, including star man of Davie Lovat at 2, beating a triple from Health & Security. Sivell will be at home again next week, and will face Ashington’s George Richardson, as Richardson had a resounding and short win last night – as George won 23 – 1 after only 7 ends. The last game in the top half of the draw saw Amble’s Alex Bryden edge out Benfield’s James Askwith, with Alex scoring a treble on the last end to win the tie 18 – 16. Alex will now travel to Gosforth to take on holders Chris Yeomans. The last game or top of the draw saw a walkover for Seghill’s Ian Nolan, due to Collingwood’s Alan Hall fall (reported on Thursday) – Alan is home and recovering now – which of course is good news. Nolan will play Rockcliffe’s S Blackett at Seghill next week.
There was an impressive away win for Gosforth’s Brian Houghton (name under P Timney) at Seaton Sluice, beating Ian Dickinson. This game seemed to be delicately poised with the away team (Houghton) winning 8 – 6 at 9 ends. But a scoring sequence of 3 (then dropped one), then scored 3, 2, 2, 2, 2 to win 22 – 7. Timney (or Brian) will have home advantage next week against Health & Security’s Stu Williams, who narrowly beat Walker St. Peters Peter Brewis 15 – 14 at Blue Flames. Forest Hall’s Chris Coan (skipped by Joe Harrison) beat Michael McGill (NW) 17 – 15, like other games a late flurry of shots by the home team saw them over the line, as the game was 11 – 12 to NSWE at 14 ends, but Harrison scored 3, 2, 1 (not Ted Rogers – for those of a certain era will know what I mean), put them 17 – 12 up playing the last end, and the North Shields triple could only score a 3, which meant the game concluded at 17 – 15.
The final games to report on saw a mixed bag for Gosforth BC – Simon Richardson lost to Steve Benson at Hexham Elvaston 20 -15, where the home side recovered from a 10 – 3 deficit to take the tie. Benson will have home advantage next week and will play another Gosforth triple in Michael Bennett, as Michael won at Cowpen & Crofton 20 – 10 against Derek Mordue.
Well done to everyone. The next round is scheduled for next Friday – 30th May.
To view the results and draw – CLICK HERE.