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
THE FUTURE'S BRIGHT!!
West Yorkshire V Stockport A
Final game of a long and arduous season today pitted West Yorkshire against Stockport with nothing realistically up for grabs. On the 5th March we had a team in place Matthew and I, by the day of the match that had all gone down the pan, Glen Scott, Glennys Ash, Mel Morris, Rene Stephens and Steve Caley all had to be replaced through a variety of reasons including a late recall for Elaine in place of Rene at 7.45am on the day of the match. But we took to the field with 20 bodies yet again and gave it everything.
SINGLES
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Andy Jones narrowly lost to Peter Roberts in the 1st game (9-15) then Tom Morris stepped in and beat Mike Clancy (17-10) after lunch Andy Jones had chances to sneak a win against Mike Clancy but despite his best efforts he lost (14-15). The game of the discipline was at the end though, Tom Morris executed his plan perfectly against Peter Roberts by not letting Peter settle on his go to game of draw, draw, draw which has won him a hell of a lot of games in big match occasions down the years. But Tom was unnerving in his pursuit of Peter today. Tom took the lead halfway through proceedings and always kept Peter 2 or 3 behind, Peter went on the attack with 3 fire shots on end 12, all missing their targets to try swing things back in his way as Tom sealed the deal and a fantastic win to cap off his season (12-8)
PAIRS
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Myself and fellow stalwart (I think that's the word I mean) Darren Cookson took to the pairs and soundly beat Sheila and Stephen Wilson (23-5) in our 1st match, Andy Miles and Matthew Leaf had some good shots against Chris & June Crowther but lost out (6-16) Despite me and Darren switching over after 8 ends and very very nearly pulling off the win Chris and June held on to beat us (12-14)
Andy and Matthew held on to best the Wilsons in the final pairs game (15-14)
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TRIPLES
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Keith Lackford, new to the WY scene played brilliantly ably aided by a masterclass of leading from Mayveen Tomlinson and Alan Byers carrying on his good vein of form as they won their 1st game (14-9) and Daniels trio with Dorothy Phiz and Joanne losing (5-12) in their opener. Lesley Fennel made it 2 from 2 by beating Keith Lackfords trips (7-12) But Daniel's side restored parity... and more in their last game with a great (19-7) victory.
FOURS
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Kathryn skipped her 4 of Elaine Hill, Dwayne Buckley and Steve Briggs but lost (5-8) to Steven Roberts' 4, Dave Fletchers 4 with Angie Morris, Dawn Peters and Tony Farrar had a stinker of a start, trailing 11-0 and eventually losing (4-16) was something to be thankful for. Kathryn's last game was a resounding (16-4) win of their own as Dave's 4 made a much bigger fist of it in their final game only losing (4-9) with a drastically improved performance.
I couldn't of asked for anymore, this week has been a mare for finding replacements for players... and I thank all those who stepped up to play, especially Elaine with 2 hours before we were due to play. Angie Morris, Tom's mother had an introduction into top level bowls as did Dwayne Buckley our super supporter and proved he can do the business on the mat too, there was some stand out performances today. Mayveen Tomlinson, I mean, she is a different level of consistency she really is, an exceptional lead talent. Keith Lackford was full of praise for her as she just got toucher after toucher in her trips games.
But cool(er) hand Luke... Tom Morris, kept it together for 120 woods and 15 ends of emotion to get a scalp, a big scalp in Peter Roberts. Just reigning in that emotion just a bit and knuckling down, forcing Peter out of his comfort zone a bit paid dividends and it was an honour to mark the game for him. Tom had the right blend of attack and draw you need to counter Peter's game.
Great support from players and John Packer coming back to us next season was with us all the way felt like the good old days. Definitely finished on a good note. A 4th place finish too, not bad considering!!
The future is bright for South Leeds,
New home,
New talent,
New advantage,
New hunger for the top 3!
..And maybe new shirts...
Final score from Armley:
West Yorkshire 20
Stockport A 20