Total County Championship entry = 336  :  34 Singles;  40 Pairs;  26 Triples;  20 Fours; 12 Mixed Fours; 16 U18 Singles

Of which the total ESMBA Nationals entry = 115 : 14 Singles ; 13 Pairs ;  8 Triples ; 5 Fours ; 6 Mixed Fours ; 7 U18 Singles

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The PAIRS - (Saturday December 6th 2008): With travelling conditions very icy and the remnants of a substantial snowfall earlier in the week it was surprising that all entrants arrived at the Swinton Sports Hall in time for the early 9am start. The total entry of 40 (8 more than last year) meant that all entrants were placed into 10 groups of 4 giving everyone 3 games in the first round-robin. Group winners and runners up plus the next best 4, allowed 24 pairs then to go on to play 2 more games in a second round-robin, this time in 8 groups of 3. However, only the group winners then progressed to the next stage - the Quarter Finals.

In these, Keith and Jean Smallwood played Gareth and Jacinta Townend, the only two pairs to have won all of their 5 games so far, with the latter going through 10-2. Rose Haynes and Roger Green bowed out 5-10, to Alan Banthorpe and Brian Foster, who had already beaten them earlier in their first game of the day. Dennis Jarvis and Paul Williamson were not going to let a drawn game in Round 1 against David and Joseph Newsome put them off and this time sent them packing with a convincing 16-5 win. Ben Render and Richard Lochman however, had lost by a single shot to Richard Lund and John Coffey in their Round 1 game and found themselves on the wrong side of a 9-10 final score once again.

The Semi-Finals saw the Townends continuing their good form and having won their previous 4 games 12-3, 13-2, 10-3 and 10-2 now went into the Final with and excellent 11-1 win (with 2 ends to spare) over  Alan and Brian (last years Pairs Champions). Meanwhile, Richard and John put paid to any hopes that Dennis (Pairs Champion in 2004 & 2006) and Paul (Pairs Champion in 2005) may have had of adding another title to their CV by winning 9-7.

The final proved that in bowls, like horse racing, recent form is no guarantee of future success. To reach the Final, both Pairs had played 7 games and Richard and John had clocked up 62 shots with 43 against, a difference of +19. The Townend twins however had scored 72 shots but only conceded 23, a difference of +49. They started well with a 3 on the first end but when an ill conceived running wood failed to make contact they dropped a 4 on the second end. The next 5 ends saw only singles shots gained/conceded - the way a good match should be and with 2 ends to go the scores were level. However, it was Richard and John who took the final 2 ends to win 9-6 and become this years Pairs Champions. (See PhotGallery)

All games played were of 9 ends duration and the day finally finished at 4.35 - slightly later than scheduled. With no dedicated Umpire available duties were shared by Derek Williams, Roger Green and Nobby Clark. The raffle was very well supported, raising a magnificent £129.   

To see who has accepted the invitation to represent us in the NESMBA Championships at Barnard Castle see Roll of NESMBA qualifiers

To see who has qualified to represent us in the ESMBA National Finals see Roll of National qualifiers 

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The FOURS - (Sunday December 7th 2008): Once again there was a full turnout of all 20 entries on time, in spite of the previous night being the coldest of the year so far with temperatures down to -7C and icy conditions on the quieter rural roads. Arranged in 5 groups of 4 but playing across 10 mats, everyone started the day with 3 games played without a break. The top 3 in each group (plus the next best) then went on to the first KO round, after which the remaining 8 played in the Quarter Finals. In these......

(1) Derek & Pat Beardsley and Bryan & Pat Jones beat Keith & Audrey Hardcastle, John Clarke and Brian Furness by 16-7.

(2) Rose Haynes, Ken & Jean Calvert and Gary Burnham beat Dennis Jarvis, Paul Williamson and Keith & Jean Smallwood by 13-8.

(3) Geoff & Ann Whitehead, Geoff Dye and Roger Green beat Arthur Jackson, Jim & Jean Wetherell and Jo Hearld by 16-5.

(4) David & Jo Newsome, Ben Render and Richard Lochman beat Mick & Anne Ridge, Joanne Senior and Bob Crowther by 14-1.

In the first Semi-Final, Derek's Four and Rose's Four, (both losing Quarter Finalists last year), battled it out, with Rose earning a place in the Final after a 10-3 win. Meanwhile in the other Semi, Geoff's experienced side (and last years Fours Champions) played David's (mainly) young team (who had been knocked out by Geoff in last years Quarter Finals). This time it was the "youngsters" who reached the Finals with a convincing 10-4 win. 

The Final thus saw the best two teams of the day face up to one another. Rose (Fours Champion in 2004) had won all 6 games so far during the day with a shot difference of +44 whilst David likewise was undefeated with a shot difference of +49. However the experience of the older team proved to be no match for the stamina, skill and team enthusiasm of David's team. After dropping a 6 on the fifth end, Rose eventually threw in the towel with two ends still to play and the scores at 11-2 leaving David's Four as this years Champions. (See PhotoGallery).  

All games played were of 8 ends duration and the day finally finished a little later than planned at 4.55. Umpires were Roger Green and Derek Williams and  another very well supported raffle raised £127.

To see who has accepted the invitation to represent us in the NESMBA Championships at Barnard Castle see Roll of NESMBA qualifiers

To see who has qualified to represent us in the ESMBA National Finals see Roll of National qualifiers 

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The MIXED FOURS - (Saturday December 20th 2008): This year the venue was switched from Bubwith to Easingwold in recognition that the majority of entrants come from North of York. The 12 hopeful teams (2 more than last year) were organised in 3 groups of 4 and after the initial 3 games (played continuously on 6 mats) it was good to note that due to the general standard of play, no team had been able to win all of their games. At this stage 4 teams were eliminated and the Group winners and Runners-Up + the next best two then progressed to the first KO round - the Quarter Final. In these, the rinks of Geoff Whitehead, Len Bradley (last years winners) John Clifton and Dennis Jarvis also went out.

In the first Semi Final, Derek & Pat Beardsley and Bryan & Pat Jones proved to be no match for Ben Render, Alex Robinson, Jane Rudd and Bronagh Malone going down 1-14. The other Semi however was a little more dramatic. Arthur Jackson, Jo Hearld and Jim & Jean Weatherell were drawn against David, Joseph & Jill Newsome and Marlene Jackson and in the penultimate end were 4-7 down with 3 more shots lying against them. Rather than leave his last wood un-played and settle for an almost guaranteed match winning 10-4 score, David tried to draw a 4th shot which did not quite come off. The jack was moved giving Arthur a single shot. Arthur then capitalised on this stroke of good fortune and with a 2 on the last end, took the game into an extra end. The game looked like being an upset when Arthur drew a superb final wood to pinch the shot. David however had the last wood and much to the delight of his side snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a very controlled weighted shot. 

So the Final was David's Four versus Ben's Four. The two teams had in fact already played once in their first group game of the day and that had produced a 9-9 draw so the spectators all knew it would be a close and competitive contest. Ben took the first end with a 3 but David did the same on the second then drew ahead with a 1, a 2 and another 1.  With both sides scoring singles in the next two ends the score was 8-4 to David with one end remaining - Ben needing a 4 for a draw. This looked unlikely but a superb trailing wood by Bronagh resulted in what was required with two counters in the ditch and the other two perilously close to the edge of the mat. To protect these vulnerable woods, Alex delivered a well positioned blocker. David thus had a difficult choice to make, one that skips face all the time. To draw to save - or use weight to destroy! With his first delivery he tried the draw but when this failed he attacked with his final wood. Somehow he avoided Alex's blocker, knocking to two edge woods off to claim the title by 8-6. An exciting end to a generally good days bowling. (See PhotoGallery)

All games played were of 8 ends duration and the day finally finished a little later than planned at 4.40. The Umpire was Arthur Rathmell and a Christmas raffle raised £70.

To see who has qualified to represent us in the ESMBA National Finals see Roll of National qualifiers   

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The SINGLES - (Saturday January 10th 2009): Another cold and icy morning did not deter the entrants from all turning up on time, although sickness and a family bereavement meant 2 late dropouts - leaving 32 hopefuls. After a first round robin played in 11 groups of 3 (continous play on 11 mats), the field was reduced to 24. Early casualties at this stage included Rose Haynes (Singles Champion 2004) and Richard Clark (Pairs Champion in 2004 and 2006). Another round robin followed, this time in 8 groups of 3 after which the group winners then played in the Quarter Finals. In these, Geoff Whitehead easily overcame Philip Elgie (20-4) as did Paul Williamson in his game against Bronagh Malone (10-1) and Alex Robinson squeezed out Anne Whitehead 9-7. In the other QF, David Newsome found himself playing against his brother Joseph Newsome for the second time in the day. Earlier, David had won 9-5 but in a surprise turn around, it was Joseph who went through by 9-6.

Joseph continued to play steadily and accurately in his Semi against Paul whose day finally came to an end by 3-9 whilst in the other Semi, Geoff picked up a 2 on the last end to end Alex's run by 10-9.

So the Final was between Geoff Whitehead (undefeated so far in the day) and Joseph Newsome, an excellent match in which the scores were 8-8 with 2 ends to go. Joseph then picked up a single but Geoff was up to the task, once again gaining the 2 shots necessary to win the day. His Singles win underlines his status as one of the best all round bowlers in our county having previous won the Pairs in 2007 and both the Triples and Fours in lasts year Championships. (No doubt he will be after the Mixed Fours title in 2010!) (See PhotoGallery)      

All games played were of 10 ends duration and the day finally finished 30 minutes ahead of schedule at 3.30. The Umpire was Derek Williams and a very well supported raffle raised £99.

To see who has accepted the invitation to represent us in the NESMBA Championships at Barnard Castle see Roll of NESMBA qualifiers

To see who has qualified to represent us in the ESMBA National Finals see Roll of National qualifiers 

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The TRIPLES - (Sunday January 11th 2009): 6 of the 26 entrants had drawn a bye into the second round whilst the others were organised into 5 groups of 4 and by using 10 mats, all three initial games were able to be played without a break. Group winners and runners up then joined the 6 byes, this time in 4 groups of 4 once again playing their three games continuously over 8 mats. The top 2 in each of these groups then contested the first KO stage - the Quarter Finals. In these, Alex Robinson, Francis Boatman and Sarah Boatman defeated Richard Lund, John Coffey and John Sleightholme by 9-4; Ben Render, Jayne Rudd and Richard Lochman put out Anne Ridge, Mick Ridge and Joanne Senior 7-3 whilst  Rose Haynes, Gareth Townend and Roger Green overcame Trevor Hanlon, Joe Agustus and Sandra Agustus 13-3. In the remaining QF, Jean Calvert was playing with Matt Fenwick and Ken Calvert (who had both stood in at the last minute for Jean & Keith Smallwood, the latter having been taken seriously ill on the way to the venue). The three of them provided one of the upsets of the day by convincingly beating the 2006 Champions David, Joseph and Jill Newsome by 10-3.

In the Semis, Jeans trio were 4-2 ahead at the half way stage but then dropped a 2 and a 5 and finally went down to Rose's three by 5-10. Alex's triple, having drawn ahead to 6-1 with three ends remaining were not going to allow Ben's team any way back and eventually wrapped up the match by 8-3. In the Final, Rose picked up a 4 on the first end but Alex hit back immediately with a 3. However, Rose's team generally outdrew their opponents and in spite of some accurate running shots from Alex, her trio always had too many woods in the head to be in danger and finally gained victory by 11-4. This is the third County title for Rose (Singles and Fours in 2004) and also Gareth (Singles in 2007 and 2008) whilst Roger has now clocked up his fourth title (Fours 2004, Pairs 2005 and Fours 2008). (See PhotoGallery)  

All games played were of 8 ends duration and the day finally finished 10 minutes later than scheduled at 4.30. There was no official Umpire for the day although Roger Green, Derek Williams and Noel Clark were available if required.  The raffle raised £97.         

To see who has accepted the invitation to represent us in the NESMBA Championships at Barnard Castle see Roll of NESMBA qualifiers

To see who has qualified to represent us in the ESMBA National Finals see Roll of National qualifiers 

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The U18 SINGLES - (Saturday January 31st 2009): A good crowd of relations, friends and helpers turned out to watch this years competition, the 7th such, which had attracted an excellent entry of 16 (out of our total U18 membership of 25). The players ranged in age from 11 year old Nicole Baddeley from Great Ouseburn to David Newsome and James Lambert from North Duffield who at 17 were taking part in their last Junior Championship. Al players were organised into 4 groups of 4 thus ensuring everyone had a minimum of 3 games which were played out over 4 mats and 6 sessions. After this had been completed, the top 8 (group winners and runners up) continued with the first of the KO games (the Quarter Finals). 

In these, Nick Potts beat his North Duffield club colleague Nathan Kotek (7-5); Matthew Jackson from Tollerton beat Matthew Barnsley from Riccall (8-6); James Lambert from North Duffield overcame Lewis Brownlie from Crossgates (19-3) and David Newsome from North Duffield put out Aaron Leaper from Riccall (13-4). The Semi-Finals saw David's campaign gather momentum with a 17-1 defeat of Nick whilst James overcame Matthew 10-6.

The Final therefore brought together the two oldest players, both keen to get their names on the trophy before turning 18 later this year. Both players drew steadily and the first 4 ends only produced singles only at which point David clocked up a 4 to go into a 7-1 lead. David then continued to pile on the pressure with pin point accuracy and with 3 more shots off the next two ends and with the score at 10-1 there was no way back for James. Congratulations to David, a deserving winner who had shown his consistency by only conceding a total of 15 shots all day and commiserations to James. (See PhotoGallery)

All games played were of 9 ends duration and the day finally finished 15 minutes ahead of schedule at 3.10. The Umpire for the day was Roger Green.

In the subsidiary Target competition all players had 3 goes at bowling their 4 woods into a target laid at the head end of the mat with a theoretical maximum of 40 (for 4 bulls eyes). Each had their worst effort discarded and the remaining scores were then added together. The bulls eye was quite small so difficult to hit and with the next best score being a 5, high scores were difficult to achieve. After all had finished, James Clark and Aaron Leaper were tied for 3rd place on 26 but it was the oldest and youngest players who were joint top with 28. A 4 wood playoff resulted in David Newsome winning with Nicole Baddeley as runner up. A good finish to David's under 18 bowls "career" and a good start to Nicole's!     

To see who has qualified to represent us in the ESMBA National Finals see Roll of National qualifiers 

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