HABA Individual Merit @ Knaresborough BC - 12th June 22

After the presentation of the 3rd/4th Division Merit we were straight into the Individual merit a little later than advertised, but with all bodies present, 3 from Black Swan, 2 each from Wayside and Knaresborough and just the one from Bilton WMC, we were ready to go.

The weather had also taking a turn for the better and we were all set up for a beeutiful day.

Quarter Final 1

Chaz Charleton v Paul Worsnop

Previous winner Paul got proceedings of to a start with a single at the first end and moved into a steady lead 5-2, Chaz has been around for a looooooong time and produced some fine bowls, 3 pairs on the bounce giving him a lead of 3, back came Paul to level up 8 a piece.

Paul's confidence started to grow and Chaz was doing his best to hang in there, but breaks of a further 3 followed by another 5 had Paul 16-10 up. A good saving pair from Chaz was quickly put to bed on the next end by Paul 18-12 and with Chaz adding just one more to the card, Paul finished the game off in fine style 21-13.

Quarter Final 2

Shaun Buttruss v Adam Varley

Shaun giving three away for representing Knaresborough and playing at home soon found it four, but Shaun responded with a fine pair to get him off the mark, Adam duly replied with his first pair and at the next he followed this up with another to go 8-2 up.

Some fine bowling from both players at the start of this game and by the 13th end Adam had a slender lead 11-9.

Once again both players going close, but Adam was just too good for Shaun and

finding a nice mark across the middle of the green, Adam raced away with 8 unanswered points to move into the Semi Finals 21-10.

Quarter Final 3

Tom Beecroft v Rob Barker

Another home bowler for Knaresborough Rob got his game off with a single at the first end, however young Tom had no intention of giving up his 3 start and produced some fine leading to race away 9-1 and soon to be 14-2, Rob dug deep to save face with a pair, but back came Tom 17-4,

with a mountain to climb Rob hung in again only to give it away again the next end 19-6 and with Tom just requiring the 2, once again he let Rob in 19-8, but it just wasn't Rob's day and Tom finished out with two good leads. 21-8. Black Swan 2 Knaresborough 0

Quarter Final 4

Brian Walker v Steve Walker

Father and son and both coming from a very successful Wayside team, we were in for a treat in this one!

Steve won this Last year for the first time, however his old man was going for his 7th title, his first came way back in 1998 when Stephen was just fresh out of nappies.

Not the usual standard form both players in the early stages, 2 singles for Brian followed by the same from Steve, at the next end Brian posted his first pair to go 4-2 in front, back came Steve with another two singles, all tied at 4 across.

Brian at this point went long knowing full well Steve preferred the shorter game and keeping it within striking distance, 6 unanswered points and Brian found a little daylight, 10-4, back came Steve to post his first pair of the game and just a single in response, Steve got within one, 10-11 down. Great game to watch but neither player in full control of the game and by the 28th end they were tied at 18 across. I guess experience told at the end, Brian leading well and Steve just missing out on several occasions, 3 singles saw it out for Brian 21-18

Semi Final 1

Paul Worsnop v Adam Varley

Adam out of the blocks fast on this one, two pairs 4-0 up, looking really up for this one, back came Paul with a good single only for Adam to respond at the next end, 7 ends in tied at 6 all, another good pair for Adam, but a poor lead let Paul in for one 8-7 to Adam.

Five on the bounce for Adam and a little breathing space, not for long though, 3 singles and some tight bowling 10-13, another poor lead let's Adam back, same for Adam, poor lead 14-12 to Adam. 20 ends down 16-12 to Adam, now to the business end, Paul stepped up his game now with a break of five, back in the game 17-16 up,

both players really wanting this 17 across, they might not be showing it, but I am sure nerves were playing a part, great pair for Paul to leave him just needing the 2, back came Adam with a pair to tie it up 19-19, once again his lead just not good enough and let's Paul in and just requiring the one, Paul keeping it simple and provides the one he needs to wrap up the game 21-19, fantastic game gents!

Semi Final 2

Tom Beecroft v Brian Walker

Tom has been bowling very well this season, so it was a surprise to many that Brian got of to a flyer, 8-1 after as many ends, Tom finally chipping in with a single only to see him leak another pair at the next end, unusual mistake from Brian letting Tom in for his first maximum, 10-4 to Brian and away he went again 2, 2, 1, 2, 17-10, very difficult to see a way back from here for Tom,

but he hung in there, a break of three singles, but all Brian had to do was to keep chipping in with the odd single, 18-7 to Brian.

A further 3 points for Tom to break into double figures and Brian chips in with another single now just needing two to reach the final. Battling stuff from Tom to make it respective with four hard earned points 14-19, but it was only a matter of time before Brian got there 21-14.

Final

Paul Worsnop v Brian Walker

No new name on the trophy this year, Paul having won this back in 2016 and Brian, too many to mention.

Good comfortable start from Paul, carrying on from where he left off in the last match, but that sparked Brian into life with 9 points unanswered, 9-2. Good crowd in now to see these two battle it out and back came Paul, 2 Pairs/2 singles 8-9, not the best lead out and Brian halts the run with a good pair, only to see his lead reduced to parity at the next two ends, 11 across.

Some fine bowling from both players, but Brian just starting to control this match four singles swiftly followed by a pair and Paul was in trouble 17-11 down, despite Paul's young age, he has been in some big matches previously and was made of sterner stuff, a good pair followed by a single 14-17, but disaster at the next end sees Brian within two, again Paul produced another come back and hanging in there for dear life, but a poor lead out and fortunately for Paul only one down to sit on all but! yet again Paul hangs in there to make it to 18,

jack in hand and just needing a good lead, not to be, Brian finds his way in and Paul can not improve, 21-18 to Brian.