Monday & Tuesday Race Week

Race Week Round-up: Monday & Tuesday

Monday – Men’s Triples On a wet and very windy day, a poor turnout of only 10 teams meant a round-robin format was played: two groups of five, 7 ends per game, 1 point per end and 3 points for the aggregate. Despite the conditions, some quality bowls were played — helped along by great food courtesy of the ladies in the kitchen.

Group 1 was topped comfortably by a strong Lancashire triple of David & Jack Lockhart and Jason Parkinson. Runners-up were the vastly experienced trio of Anthony Little, Ivor Ward and Dave McManus — with a combined age of 227!

Group 2 was led by another Lancashire outfit: John & Chris Yates and Calvin (surname unknown). The battle for second was between two Courtfield teams, and it was Jaffa, Alex and Ste B who edged out Kev’s side to secure a place in the semi-final.

That meant both semi-finals were Courtfield vs Lancashire:

• Chris Yates’s trio proved too strong for the weary McManus team, finishing the game inside the 7 ends.

• The other semi was much tighter. After a back-and-forth battle, Alex, Jaffa & Ste B narrowly lost 7-6 to Lockhart's trio.

In the final, it was an all-Lancashire affair as Jason Parkinson, Jack & David Lockhart faced off against their counterparts Chris & John Yates and Calvin. The Lockhart triple proved worthy winners, showing real composure and consistency in tricky conditions.

Courtfield were hugely grateful to both teams for the miles they travelled to support the tournament and for the quality bowls they brought with them.

Monday Night – Ladies Pairs & Triples

• Jo and Gill played brilliantly at Courtfield to beat Nicola Bowe’s pair 19-15.

• Jean, Aileen W and Evelyn travelled to Croft to face Leanne White’s triple. After leading 9-3, the game flipped dramatically. Croft fought back and took control, eventually winning 22-15 in what truly was a game of two halves.

Tuesday – Gents Pairs The weather was still patchy but improved from Monday. A late withdrawal by Chris Yates gave Lee and Jaffa a walkover into round two.

There were some excellent first-round ties:

• Jack Harkness & Eddie Murray came from behind to beat Chris Rogerson & Bob Graham.

• Mike & Dusty (Courtfield) beat Dave McManus & John Crozier with ease.

• Stuart Robson beat Lancashire’s Gordon Niven & Mike Joyce.

• Ricky Thomson & Scott Campbell (last year’s winners) narrowly beat Barry Milgate & Big Lol.

• Alan Glendinning & Bruce Robison handled Jack & David Lockhart 10–3.

Second Round Highlights:

• Jack Harkness beat Gary Lightfoot & John Brown.

• Mark Nanson & Ricky Gallagher narrowly beat Mike & Dusty.

• Andy Nelson & Rae Graham ("Barney") edged out George G & Dai by a single shot.

• Paul & Mr Chris defeated Sal Panico, with Paul debuting his new woods.

• Alex & Ste B beat Lee & Jaffa by one after a strong comeback attempt from the latter.

Quarter-finals:

• Ricky & Scott beat Stuart Robson after defeating Ian Blenkinsop & Dave Clarkson earlier.

• Alan & Bruce comfortably beat Paul & Mr Chris.

• Jack Harkness took an early lead and held off Mark Nanson.

• Andy & Barney defeated Alex & Ste B.

With all four semi-finalists from Scotland, expectations were high — and the bowls didn’t disappoint.

Semi-finals:

• Alan & Bruce proved too strong for Andy & Barney, progressing with ease.

• In a thrilling match, Jack & Eddie led most of the way, but in Jack’s own words, “it was a fluke” as Ricky & Scott stole it on the final end.

The Final:

After a short discussion about which rink to use, the final got underway. Alan & Bruce exploded out of the blocks, racing into an 11–1 lead — game over? Not quite. A single shot, then a huge 6 from Ricky & Scott suddenly brought it back to life. But the fightback came too late, and Alan Glendinning & Bruce Robison held firm to win the Gents Pairs.