County bowlers the tops

Published on 11th September 2008 in Letters

Humberside County bowlers reaped their own rewards at the E.B.F. National Finals in Skegness last week, with eleven new National Champions.

Cemex bowler Julie Hutchinson played herself through to two National Finals. In the Over 60's Singles she came a close runner up to Inga Gillespie of Cleveland, and took the Runners up Trophy, but followed that with a stunning 20-10 victory in the Senior Pairs when she was teamed up with Zoe Hewitt, also from Cemex.

Immingham and Grimsby bowlers featured strongly in the National Finals when Trevor Tella and Bob Ledgerwood of Blossom Way powered away to a 19-14 win over their North Cambridgeshire rivals Ralph Jackson and R. Croxford. Just two rinks away on green C at the Sun Castle complex Richard Armitage and Glenys Bolt from Sussex B.C. were in tough competition trading shot for shot against Mary Linnell and Richard Martin of Northamtonshire. After reaching 18 shots each on the last end the match went to sudden death on an extra end and the Grimsby pair came out on top with one bowl to spare at 19-18.

A lifetime ambition was achieved by Spring Bank skip Mal Penny when teamed with fellow club mates Dave Nellist and John Dunn when they won the final of the Two Bowl Rinks after playing against a trio from Durham skippered by Alan Lawton.

This was also a close finish with the Humberside team down on the last end and needing one shot to win. Playing his last bowl with a touch of weight Mal Penny managed to make contact with a home bowl and pushed it into the head for a measure which they won by less than half an inch to clinch the Champions title.

The cream on the cake for Humberside was when the President of the County Women's Bowling Association, Lesley Saunders from Howden, was presented with the Victrix Ludorum. This trophy is awarded on a points basis including the previously reported win of the National Donald Steward title.