W.Y.S.M.B.A
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The 2025 Annual NEMSBA Championships commenced over the weekend for everyone in the NESMBA zone at the York Indoor Bowls Centre.
Report as follows from a West Yorkshire perspective:
SATURDAY MORNING [FOURS]
Of the 5 fours that made it through to York, only 2 unfortunately made it through the group phase, Mel, Tom, Royston & Darren as 1 four, and John, Andy Miles, Joanne and Dave the other four. John Packer's four made it through the 1st KO round but fell to Martin Grange's Staffordshire 4 In the next round.
Darren's four faired better by getting right to the final before coming unstuck to Martin Simcock's Staffordshire's team.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON [SINGLES]
Darren, Royston, Daniel Sands and Matthew would qualify from the group phase with John Packer just missing out. Royston was then narrowly beat by Dave Newsome in the next round which also saw Daniel Sands bow out too. Darren and Matthew would go onto the QF phase before both eventually losing. Peter Roberts would beat Adam Lamb in the final in a repeat of last year's finale too.
SUNDAY MORNING [PAIRS]
All 4 of our participants made it through the groups in this one. In the next round Dave & Matthew and Royston & Darren were beaten. Daniel Sands & Robyn fell in the next round leaving just Tom Morris & John Packer remaining, cue a great run... cutting through Peter & Steve Roberts, then Chris and June Crowther in the semis to win the whole damn thing against Darren Kerr and Janice of Staffordshire to a rapturous WY ovation! Excellent
SUNDAY AFTERNOON [TRIPLES]
4 from 5 of our entrants qualified with Angie, Mel and Hannah unfortunately not making it through.
Daniel Sands, Tom and Steve Briggs were beaten in the QF stage, as too were Joanne, Royston and Darren. An all (and only one all weekend) WY Clash in one of the semi finals saw Andy Miles, Dave Fletcher and Matthew Leaf pip Kathryn Jones, Andy Jones and John Packer on the last end for a spot in the final. Despite a great effort throughout, a costly 5 count cost WY dear as Clint and Chris Crowther with Gary Williamson would go onto win the triples for Stockport.
3 participants from the 4 final disciplines is superb and how the results unfolded just shows how we've done as both a squad and some fantastic individual performances, The pairs was a standout, John and Tom couldn't really of gone through many more tougher opponents to record what will be a famous win for these guys and a memory that they'll keep for a lifetime and how they did it too which made picking up the county shield as West Yorkshire captain a proud moment for me too.
I think it goes (rather undeservedly) that we are sometimes overlooked compared to Staffs and Stockport's firepower but as results have shown over this weekend, we can still match them and can have our way with them too. So a huge thankyou and well done to all those that gave as good as they got!! Exceptional!
The County shield winners were WEST YORKSHIRE for their combined performances from the Knock Out stage onwards too!!!
[1]WY 17pts
[2]Staffs 16pts
[3]Stockport 14pts
BATTLE IN LEEDS
West Yorkshire v North Yorkshire Tornados
The last Derby of the season saw us square off once more against our nearest and dearest rivals.
The first session was split right down the middle. Dave Newsome out drew Matthew in the singles to win 18-7 in a high standard singles. Myself and Glen finally got daylight over James Clark and Danielle Newsome after being inseparable for 13 ends to win 15-11, a 4 count on the 14th end sealing the deal for WY. The trips had an off game losing heavily as Andy Miles, fresh to the role of skip bowled sublimely in a fabulous 13-6 win.
The 2nd session and Andy Jones squared off against Simon Holtby, in for the holidaying Steve Packer. Simon winning for NY.
The 2nd pairs was also close throughout with Darren Cookson and Steve Briggd winning another tense affair 13-10 over Rod Dawson and Steve Duffin.
Joanne, skipping the trips lost by 8 with David Johnson recalled for WY along with Tony Farrar.
Kathryn's 4, after 2 dead ends, all bowled very well and won 11-6.
Session 3, Simon Holtby got the better of Matthew Leaf 22-10 in the 3rd singles of the day with the odd loose end being the undoing despite several good woods from Matthew.
Into the pairs, and yet another close game as Captain Rod and Steve Duffin beat myself and Glen 16-15 on end 15 after I fluffed my lines and was short when needing to draw 2nd shot to make Steve bowl the winner.
The triples was a thing of beauty however, Ian Chiverton moved to skip, with Andrea going second as Dave moved to lead, 14-5 winners, just like that, I can't take credit for the switch as it was decided in house amongst the trio and it paid more than dividends.
Andy Miles' 4 won again, this time surviving 2 final bowls from Joe Newsome to cement a 9-8 win.
2 aggregates in play for WY with the pairs and fours in our favour (+6 & +13 respectively)
Final session as Andy Jones took on Dave Newsome and a really good effort from Andy but narrowly lost in the end 14-17.
The pairs was drawn 11-11 after James Clark drew a pressure bowl to tie it with the last bowl of the day knowing they were on for only 1pt as the aggregate was ours.
Joanne's triple was a heavy loss unfortunately 4-21 as Kathryn's 4 lost 3-13 but kept hold of the aggregate.
I'd of accepted 16+ so, on reflection, not too bad a result for us. I'll be kicking myself about my last pairs game that we should of by all rights won but fluffed it. We didn't quite get blown over by the Tornados but we certainly encountered a stiff breeze. Final score from Armley;
West Yorkshire 17
North Yorkshire Tornados 23