By David Taylor

Last updated at 12:37, Thursday, 22 October 2009

National team championship play returned to Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club on Saturday when the Carlisle Club defended the Denny Cup for the first time this season.

Concordia IBC of Cramlington provided the opposition and as anticipated they proved no match for the champions who romped home by no less than 50 shots.

True it was no surprise, but there was much to like about the style of the win which augurs well for the next round when a much sterner task will be provided by Stanley IBC who accounted for the Newcastle Club West Denton by 24 shots.

Saturday’s game saw Stuart Airey continue at the top of his game winning 36-5. His four played really well with Neil Karge’s consistent leading a feature of the win.

The other home four skipped by Trevor Taylor won by thirteen in what was another good win while at Concordia Gavin Taylor was no less effective in winning 26-14.

The only slight worry was on Stephen Farish’s rink which went down 21-13 and did not play quite tight enough, though it has to be said that they undoubtedly drew the best of the north east skips in Colin Cairns who is always a hard nut to crack on his own green.

The next round is played on Saturday week and Stanley will provide a much greater challenge but a far from insurmountable one. Team news next week.

Eden IBC found the going tough against Gateshead and went down 89-61 while Copeland had a first round bye and will now meet Gateshead themselves.

Over-60 Double Rink

Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club’s B team had to make several late changes to the side for Tuesday’s game against Sunderland B but still came through by a comfortable 14 shots.

David Sparrow’s four inflicted most of the damage winning by 11 at home after a slow start while David Taylor’s four which looked like also having a big win at one stage were pegged back in the closing third of the game to get home by just 3 shots.

The Carlisle Club’s A side is in action tomorrow when they meet Copeland in a local derby match at noon. The Carlisle side is shown below.

Inter County League

Cumbria plays the first of its Senior Liberty matches today when Yorkshire will provide the opposition. Three rinks play at Carlisle and three at York for the game which commences at lunchtime. Cumbria made it through to the semi-final last year and was somewhat disappointing in losing at that stage.

This year’s side looks a little stronger and with that experience behind them this could be our year.

This is an interesting competition no less so because of the scoring system.

Each winning rink scores two points, there are a further four points for the aggregate at each venue and a further six points for the overall aggregate, making a full match total of 26 points. Calculators at the ready please !.

Liberty Trophy

Cumbria’s full Liberty side has its first game on November 7, when Lincolnshire are in opposition. This game will be played at York commencing at 11.00am.

Team Manager Stuart Airey has selected the side and it is shown below. Cumbria has not achieved a great deal in this competition in recent seasons but again this year’s side does look stronger and I feel has every chance of making progress.

Under-25 Double Rink

Cumbria’s Juniors will also be in action on Sunday when the county Under 25 side meet Northumberland at noon on Sunday.

Again there has been no ultimate success for some time but the side has been gaining experience and looks better than ever this year.

I expect them to come through this one at least. The selected side is shown below.

National competitions

To date few ties have been completed but there are signs that things are beginning to pick up and there is a reasonable programme for this weekend.

County Competitions

There has been a poor response for County Competitions this year and as a result the closing date for entries has been extended by one week. Please contact your Club Secretary as soon as possible if you wish to be involved.

PROGRAMME

Friday 12.00 Cumbria IBC v Copeland IBC Over 60 Double Rink

Saturday 10.00 J Menzies v L Parker Singles

Saturday 12.00 C Horsfield v A Cannon.

Saturday 2.00 A Little v J Walker Mixed Pairs

Sunday 10.00 R Gallagher v J Buxton 10.00 Mixed Pairs; R McGhie v A Little Senior Pairs; J Morris v R McMath Senior Pairs.

Sunday 12.00 Cumbria v Northumberland Under 25 Double Rink

Sunday 2.00 A Little v M Nanson Singles

Cumbria IBC v Copeland IBC Over 60 Double Rink Oct 23 12.00

Home: R Thorburn, W Bryce, R McMath, J Menzies

Away: T Linton, E McGarr, A Little, JN Bell

Cumbria CIBA v Northumberland CIBA Under 25 Double Rink Oct 25 12.00

Home: K Harrison, M Irwin, S Green, D Forster

Away: J Fieldhouse. G Robertson, M Rice, D May

Cumbria CIBA v Lincolnshire CIBA Liberty Trophy Nov 7 11.00 at York

N Karge, R Gallagher, P Barlow, S Airey

G Robertson, R Gass, D May, A Baxter

K Harrison, J Baird, D Linton, I Gallagher

D Forster, M Nanson, B Sherwen, S Farish

E Murray, S Richardson, R Graham, G Taylor

S Green, JN Bell, M Rice, T Taylor

Reserves: D Baxter, R Gall, A Little, D Sparrow, D Taylor

First published at 11:37, Thursday, 22 October 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk