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
Sunday 30-10-22
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A tough game was always on the cards against a Stockport side who do a lot of damage at home and use their home advantage to the best of their knowledge. The flooring at Stockport makes bowling on the mats even more difficult to master for home and away bowlers, so how did we do...?
SINGLES
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In truth this was a tough ask, Dennis Walters was game and he put himself forward to give it a go in a tactical switch and in fairness, after 6 ends against Ben Holbrook he was only 2 behind until Ben cutaway to win 23-6. Then Glen Scott took on Peter Roberts but lost 10-17, Glen's game against Ben was always a close affair, winner of the ends seemed to be alternating throughout as Ben just edged it 13-12 but Glen rued a chance to grab a 3 on end 14 which would of put him 15-12 up with 1 to play. Peter Roberts beat Dennis comfortably in the last game.
0/10 points
PAIRS
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Joanne Speight was paired up Steve Briggs for this match and despite a 4-27 loss in the 1st game, there was a much improved performance in game 2 losing 9-15. Matthew and Elaine Hill had 2 reasonable games but lost 8-16 & 9-15.
0/10 points
TRIPLES
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Most of the points haul came from here for our players, Daniel Sands and the Chivertons got us off to a good start winning 12-10 before myself, Tony Farrar and Dave Fletcher, clawed a 0-7 deficit back to 8 each in 10 ends before we pinched a single to win 9-8. Before we lost our next game 7-13. Daniel's trio made sure of the -3 deficit aggregate by winning 12-7 surviving a mini comeback from Chris Banfield and Co from 10-1 down
8/10 points.
FOURS
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The much loved 4s mat.. I think that was the word our players used about it by 4pm.. Kathryn's 4 secured a 9-9 draw as they lost the 2nd game 2-12. Tom Morris' 4 losing 10-17 & 7-13 before and after lunch despite staging comebacks throughout from dropping multiple shots in various ends.
1/10 points.
To be brutally honest now, 9 points wasn't that bad a return for our side. And it hurts to state that but I would of taken 10 before we got to Stockport. Will Humberside and North Yorkshire B score 9 points or more there? That's the question. I think not personally. There was some great bowling from some of ours but just didn't get the rewards. As mentioned earlier Glen could and should of converted a 3 to put him 3 up on the last end which went wrong, but an amazing effort regardless against a very good Ben Holbrook. Glen has underlined the fact he can play at this level and be competitive in any discipline.
Andrea Chiverton & Tony Farrar played exceptional in the triples, and I mean exceptional. Andrea's leading was akin to Hazel Cookson / Margaret LaVan standard from bowl 1. With a toucher almost every end when not perched on the jack. Tony drew and drew magnificentally and he and Dave Fletcher were the reason my trips won our 1st game when we should of been dead and buried after 7 ends.
There is no getting away from the fact that we're in a hole with lack of depth of available personnel and no real discernable home advantage to the extent of Stockport or Staffs have other than medium / slow pace mats. And as such our target has had to be adjusted from challenging for top spot to grabbing 4th spot. That I'm afraid is a fact and it will take a long time before we can have a large pool of players to pick from to mount a challenge of any silverware. What I will say is that for everyone who hasn't shied away from the games played today I say a huge thanks so far. 4 games on the spin is a tough month of bowling, now it eases up on the schedule. Rest and recover until Mid November before our trip to Staffs.
Final score from Cheadle in Stockport:
Stockport 31
West Yorkshire 9