By David Taylor

Last updated at 13:16, Thursday, 08 October 2009

Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club in Carlisle is the current holder of the Denny Cup, England’s national inter club competition, and on Sunday played a Cup Winners Cup game against Tweedbank IBC who won the Scottish equivalent, at Carlisle Indoor Bowls Centre.

Neither side was at full strength but it still proved to be a highly competitive game but one which was played in an excellent spirit throughout.

Cumbria had three of its regular skips Stuart Airey, Gavin Taylor and Trevor Taylor and Junior International Danny May took Stephen Farish’s place.

The game was fairly close all through though as one might expect Cumbria held a slight advantage virtually throughout the entire game.

As the final ends approached, however, Tweedbank staged a spirited rally and when Trevor Taylor’s four were last on the green by some way following eight burned ends the home side held just a three shot lead with two ends to complete.

Having dominated their game from the five end mark they were expected to hold on and duly did so scoring a further five shots to win their game 30-8 and give the home side an overall eight shot victory.

Stuart Airey held a useful lead at halfway but was pegged back in the closing stages getting home 25-21 while Gavin Taylor was also all out to hold on to his lead in the closing stages before finishing 23-21 in front.

Danny May, skipping at this level for the first time against former local favourite Ken Johnstone, found the going tough and after making a steady start was left trailing in his more experienced opponents wake, going down 28-8.

It was an excellent game throughout and one which will serve as a a useful pipe opener for the Carlisle side when it begins its defence of the title on Saturday week against Concordia.

Under-25 Singles

Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club stages the area qualifier of the Junior Singles on Saturday.

The date is set by the national Association but to assist those players who wish to attend the annual luncheon some of the ties being played will be organised to allow those players to attend the Luncheon.

Six markers are required for these games and anyone interested should see the Club notice board or speak to a member of staff.

Outdoor Bowls

The future of the Armstrong Trophy is in doubt following the Northern Counties meeting last month.

Northumberland have intimated that they will not be entering in 2010 whilst both Durham and Yorkshire have expressed their dissatisfaction with the present set up. Consultation is proceeding with regard to the format but it seems unlikely that there will be any firm decision in time for 2010.

It is hoped that two games involving Cumbria and Yorkshire may be organised to keep the present Armstrong side together for next season at least.

Northumberland has also expressed concerns regarding the Muras Trophy and the costs involved.

There has been a suggestion that two games could be played in one day to reduce match costs but no definite decisions have as yet been made.

There is also a possibility that the ruling regarding 12 Middleton players in each Muras side may also be dispensed with.

Unification is also under discussion at present and a draft constitution has been agreed and will be presented to the Annual General Meetings next month.

One definite change which all men should note is that entries for the county competitions will have to be in by the end of December rather than the end of January as at present.

I personally have yet to be totally convinced of the benefits of unification.

One of the main hopes was that it would lead to reduction in costs for those playing the game as economies of scale came into being.

To date, we have only seen increased costs but hopefully the benefits will become apparent in the not too distant future.

At the Men’s Annual General Meeting it is hoped that there will be a nomination for the Office of Junior Vice President. To date none has been forthcoming.

If there is anyone interested in putting something back into the game please let any member of the present Executive Committee know.

Carliol League

The annual general meeting off the Carliol League will take place in Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club on Monday, October 12 at 7.00pm

First published at 11:36, Thursday, 08 October 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk