The Men’s Triples started on Friday evening with the revised format of 2 bowl triples and the holders Gosforth’s Chris Yeomans survived a scare to take their place in round 2 (although the triple has changed with Craig Cooper replacing Simon Richardson at number 2, with Josh Minto still leading).
Yeomans was up against fellow club colleague Richard Train. Yeomans triple scored on the opening 2 ends to take a 3 nil lead, however Train hit back to score over the next few ends to take a 9 – 3 lead. As the game closed out in ends Train’s triple scored on the 16th and 17th ends to lead 15 – 12 going in to the final end. With the skips having one bowl left Yeomans was lying a very close 2 shots, but Train drew up to the jack and sat as a side toucher. Yeomans with one bowl in hand played a superb shot turning the Train bowl out and staying in the head to score a decisive 3 shots to take the game into an extra end. The extra end was played and Train drove for the jack with his first bowl and ditched it but his bowl went off the rink, Yeomans drew shot and this was beaten by Train. However Yeomans was not to be denied and drew the vital and match winning shot (16 – 15).
In the other ties tonight there were good away wins for Collingwood’s Keith Armstrong at Cramlington over Bob Harrison; Gosforth’s Steve Harvey scored a decisive away win at Haltwhistle, defeating Martin Rogan 22 – 14. Newcomers to the competitions were Ashington but unfortunately for their triple skipped by R Barron lost to St. George’s Neil Aitchison in a close contest (19 – 15). Seaton Sluice BC had a mixed evening, firstly Tim Burbridge recorded a great away win at Newbiggin over Lee Birch (20 – 9), but his club colleague Iain Dickinson went down at home over St. Georges Gary Myerscough.
Other notable wins were for Terry Hunter (Walker), Ryan Warnes-Hall (New Delaval), although the triple is skipped by Aaron Robson, Fabian Scott (Collingwood) and Kevin Miles (Cramlington).
The next round will take place on Friday – as this year the triples (like the fours) is being played over consecutive weeks.
Draw and Results can be found here.