By David Taylor

Published at 11:20, Thursday, 26 November 2009

AFTER the best start for many years Cumbria bowlers came unstuck on Saturday when losing their second round tie against Durham at Carlisle.

John Baird: Beat Jack Walker in the final of the Champion of Champions

This was a game which I expected the home side to win and it certainly looked as though that win would be achieved as Cumbria showed the visitors a clean pair of heels in the opening stages of the game.

An 18-shot lead after just five ends, was further extended to 24 by halfway and things were looking good.

But, from the 12th end on, Durham really began to apply the pressure and, uncharacteristically, the Cumbria side cracked. And on ends 16 and 17, the visitors picked up no less than 15 shots to move into a single shot lead. They extended that advantage and despite a late Cumbrian rally it was too little too late and Liberty hopes were once more dashed.

The reason for the collapse, 30 shots disappeared in just six ends, is hard to pinpoint though the general opinion after the game was that too many of the home side turned in below par performances.

It is rare that all players in a side will play to their best. But when more that two or three play well below form then at this level defeat invariably follows.

This was most disappointing because whilst Durham are a useful side I would still take Cumbria to come out on top especially given home advantage.

Despite the defeat Cumbria still won on four of the six rinks. Trevor Taylor was in top form and a sequence of excellent bowls saw his four win by 12 shots against David Bolt who had to retire mid-way through the game as a result of a previous injury to his hand.

Stephen Farish always had the upper-hand against Vinny O’Neill and won 25-17. And after leading 15-1 at one point against Robert Chisholm Ian Gallagher had to come from behind to win 21-19.

Gavin Taylor led throughout but was all out in the closing stages against John Thurlbeck to win 19-17.

On the minus side, Andrew Baxter went down by nine to Glen Skipp despite playing numerous saving bowls in the early stages. And the major upset of the afternoon came on rink one where Stuart Airey’s four were overwhelmed by Andrew Kirtland who celebrated his 50th Liberty Cup game for Durham by winning 27-7.

Over-50 Triples

The weather played havoc with games over the weekend but the Cumbria B v Copeland B game was played albeit as a pairs rather than a triples.

Bill Adam skipped Mustafa Omer to a 23-11 win while Bob Au skipped Joe Carr to a 21-15 win.

National Competitions

The final of the Champion of Champions took place at Carlisle when Eden’s John Baird met Jack Walker of Copeland.

Walker set off in great style and Baird was forced to hang on as the West Cumbria player raced away to lead 13-2 after 10 ends.

The game was then transformed as Baird began to play the better bowls and seven ends later he led 16-13.

Once momentum is lost it always seems difficult to get back into a game and so it proved for Walker as the Penrith-based player went on to win 21-18.

In the mixed fours, a similar scenario unfolded as Rick Gallagher trailed Rae Graham but then came back to lead with three to play and went on to skip his four of Cindy Edmondson, Jackie Wilson and Mark Nanson to a 16-12 win.

In the Senior Triples, Rick Gallagher had a rather more comfortable win in skipping Robin Thorburn and Ron McMath to victory over Dennis Devlin.

In the same competition Bill Bryce led all the way to the 12th end when he was joined but not passed by Jim Morris. Bryce, together with partners Roger McGhie and Eddie McGarr, then scored on four of the last six ends to record a two-shot win.

Despite the weather problems Jack Walker managed to get to Carlisle for his Senior Triples against Sandy Kirkpatrick and he and colleagues David Forster and David Blackmore made their trip worthwhile in winning 19-9.

Club Teams

After last Saturday’s disappointing County result it is important that Cumbria IBC gets back on the winning trail as quickly as possible and they will certainly have every chance in the next few days to do just that.

Today, the ladies meet Neighbours Copeland in the Yetton Trophy at 1pm while tomorrow the Senior Double Rink side will play Concordia at noon.

On Saturday, the most important of this weekend’s games takes place when Newton Hall will face Cumbria IBC in the Denny Cup. Another defeat here would be nothing short of a disaster and the players will be all out to put last week’s events well behind them.

Weather

The weather has been hitting the headlines this week and whilst damage to bowls clubs is somewhat insignificant compared to what many have suffered, there will be many bowlers who will be involved in the restoration of their clubs in the next few months.

In Carlisle, Edenside has again been badly hit and the members will be meeting probably next week to decide on a strategy for the Clubs future.

Both Keswick and Workington have been hit though I understand that Croft has been the worst affected.

On the outdoor front, can I also remind bowlers that County entries for next year should be made for January 1, and with the Christmas period likely to make communication with club officials less easy arrangements should be put in hand well in advance.

TEAMS

Cumbria IBC v Copeland IBC Thursday, November 26, 1.00 Yetton Trophy

Home: S Devlin, A Brown, M Docherty, K Edmondson: A Henderson, D Cook, S Clark, C Edmondson

Away: J Wilson, E Aitken, C Wharton, J Gower: L Rose, E Lindsay, J Bewley, E Gass

Cumbria IBC v Concordia IBC Friday, November 27, 12.00 Senior Double Rink

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

Away: R Thorburn, D McManus, R McMath, J Menzies

Cumbria IBC v Newton Hall IBC Saturday, November 28, 10.00am – Denny Cup

Home: N Karge, M Nanson, I Gallagher, S Airey: P Barlow, D Linton, M Rice, T Taylor

Away : K Harrison, R Gass, A Baxter, S Farish: E Murray, R Gallagher, R Graham, G Taylor

Reserve J Wills

WEEKEND PROGRAMME

Thursday 12noon - Cumbria IBC v Copeland IBC Yetton Trophy

Thursday 2.05pm - E McGarr v D McManus Senior Triples

Friday 12noon - Cumbria IBC v Concordia IBC Senior Double Rink

Saturday 10am - Cumbria IBC v Newton Hall Denny Cup

Saturday 12noon - R McGhie v R Gall Senior Singles

Saturday 2pm - K Edmondson v E Gass Pairs

Sunday 10am - R McMath v JN Bell Senior Fours

Sunday 2pm - M Nanson v J Crozier Singles : R Graham v R Gallagher Mix Pairs

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