By David Taylor

Last updated at 13:12, Thursday, 28 January 2010

Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club is once again through to the final stages of the Denny Cup following its 16-shot victory over Desborough Maidenhead at Erewash IBC on Saturday.

The victory was not unexpected but there were some distinctly worrying times before that victory was assured.

A slow start by the current champions saw Desborough take a 13-shot lead after the first quarter and this was maintained at halfway.

Approaching the final third of the game, the position had slightly worsened.

But true champions always come back and the players representing the Carlisle-based club showed their experience and resilience to such effect that, by the time the match went into the last three ends, across the green the Desborough challenge had wilted and Cumbria was once more on top.

Having got themselves back into a winning position, there was no way back for the southern challengers and Cumbria made it to the last four by a comfortable 16 shots.

Stuart Airey, having been down at halfway, finished the second half strongly and his four emerged with a 25-13 win while Stephen Farish’s four was always in command and won 21-14.

Gavin Taylor trailed by seven at halfway but fought back to lead before emerging with a satisfactory draw. Trevor Taylor looked to bi in big trouble when his four was 19-5 down with just seven to play but fought back resolutely scoring 11-0 in the last seven ends to go down by just three.

In the circumstances this was a great comeback but just a little worrying that the side did actually get so far behind.

In the semi-final, Cumbria will meet old rivals Cyphers, a fixture which will bring back memories of some of the great clashes between the two club and county sides.

I remain more than hopeful that Cumbria will once again come out on top for I do not think that Cyphers have the strength of years ago whilst I consider the Cumbria side to be stronger than it has been in recent seasons.

If Cumbria is successful then it seems likely that the opposition in the final will be provided by City of Ely who will meet Bristol in their semi-final.

Bristol is a useful side but the Ely side includes the newly crowned World Singles Champion Greg Harlow and Nicky Brett who also did well at Potters.

I think they will be in the final but I still consider that the overall strength of the Cumbria side will be enough for Cumbria to record a third consecutive win and a seventh in the last 15 years. No mean record in a competition which has over 250 entries each year.

Over-60 Double Rink

Cumbria IBC’s hopes of reaching another national semi-final were dashed at York New Earswick on Friday when beaten in the quarter final by Lincoln the margin of defeat being eight shots.

John bell after going ten down after just four ends came back strongly to win 25-17 but Joe Menzies found former England International Geoff Plaskitt just too much and was comfortably beaten.

National competitions

In the fours Stuart Irwin started as underdog for the fours game against Trevor Taylor but his four of Jonathon Fieldhouse, Kevin Harrison and Mark Irwin stuck to their task in dogged fashion and came back from being 16-10 behind to score a single on the last and win 18-17.

In the Over-60 Pairs fina,l last year’s qualifiers Alan Carruthers and Jim Morris proved too strong for Geordie McCulloch and Sandy Kirkpatrick.

The Over-60 Singles Final was played on Tuesday evening and it proved to be a great battle.

Anthony Little led Ray Gall 8-4 but Gall who has just joined the club this season went on a scoring spree which took him into a 17-8 lead. He moved on to 19-12 but Little then struck back picking scores of 3-1-3-1 in the next four ends to need just one more shot for victory. It was not be however as Gall scored a two on the final end to earn his place at the national finals.

Over-60 County League

As expected Cumbria’ Senior County side had no trouble in qualifying for the national semi-final when playing Durham in the third group game last Thursday.

Needing just a single point from the 26 on offer Cumbria got off to a good start at home and at Darlington and ended up winning 22-4 overall.

In the semi-final Cumbria will meet Northampton at South Leeds on Tuesday next at 2pm.

The team will be travelling to Leeds by coach and there are a number of seats available for spectators at £10. If you wish to support the side see the club notice board for full details. The coach will leave Cumbria IBC at 9.30am approx.

County Triples League

Cumbria A beat Copeland B 11-0 on Sunday and have moved to the top of the table with Copeland A dropping to second having beaten Dalston by a single shot and 6-5 on points.

Dalston A are in third ahead of Dalston B who beat Eden 9-2.

Eden stay in fifth with Copeland B bringing up the rear.

Friendly Match

Cumbria IBC played its annual friendly fixture against Brampton BC on Sunday and as might be expected the home side came out on top.

The visitors were not disgraced however and John Davidson and Bill Wilkinson both skipped visiting fours to victory over the home contingent.

First published at 12:25, Thursday, 28 January 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk