The battle of Harrogate’s finest two teams, Black Swan and Wayside Travellers, on a beautiful evening at the newly built Bilton Dragon Bowling Club.
Both Teams having made their way here after dispatching their 2nd teams in the Semi Finals, it just goes to show how strong these two clubs have been over the last 5 years.
Game 1
Stephen Walker v Alan Whitaker
Leading off for Wayside, Captain Stephen Walker and despite starting with the jack in hand, soon found himself 4-1 down to Alan, not to make things any worse, Steve got his missiles out and finally got the jack back. A break of ten had Alan on the ropes, but with a little noise from his teammates, Alan got back to within five, again, some great leading and striking the game was continually getting away from Alan, it’s not that he wasn’t playing well, he just didn’t get a chance. 19-7 to Steve and despite Alan’s best efforts it was a great start for wayside, 21-10 to Steve.
Game 2
Mark Reynolds v Martin Hemmingway
Up next was the machine Mark Reynolds, mechanical in his action and cruising to a lead of 18-3, which included the best break of the evening of 15 chalks. Martin just could not match the consistency of Mark, even when he got close Mark beat it, brutal.
How Martin got to 9 I have no idea, probably the best nine he will have all season.
Mark has not had the best of starts this season, but this was some improvement and quite rightly picked up the Man of the Match award, which earns him a reserve place in the Champion of Champions at the end of the season.
21-9 to Mark.
Game 3
Stuart Whitehouse v Chaz Charlton
No golden balls in sight tonight, but he didn’t need them, Stuart flew out of the traps early, 7-0.
The Wayside team were starting to get a bit noisy now sensing a dominant start, fortunately this great start always kept Chaz at bay, the jack exchanged hands end after end, it was a tight battle as Chaz is not one for giving up and despite being 12-3 down, fought for his team to get back within 3 after 17 ends, 13-10 to Stuart. Poor lead out from Chaz and a great reply from Stuart with 2 pairs, 17-10, back came Chaz, however he was always too far behind, 21-13 to Stuart. Great game!
Game 4
Brian Walker v Dave Hodgson
Tough game to call this, neither playing getting away early here, corner to corner with not much room to spare, 5-3 to Hodgy after 6 ends, Brian took it a little further and bounced back to lead 8-7 and out of nowhere Brian ran away with the game, 9 without reply, 17-7.
With pride at stake and the Final disappearing in the sunset Dave found some form and held up Brian for some time to be said. 4 singles from Hodgy and a single response from Brian followed by a further 4 singles from Hodgy 15-18 down, great effort sir! Brian switched back on after soaking up the evening sun to finish the game with two pairs 21-15.
Wayside 82 Black Swan 47
At the halfway stage Wayside Travellers had a very comfortable lead and the Cup looked to be heading to Wayside again after a two-year break due to the pandemic. What have Black Swan got left?
Game 5
Gordon Flower v Tony Derrick
Positive start by young Captain Tony, maybe there was some hope on the horizon with a 6-5 lead……………........................
I’m afraid not, Gordy lengthened the jack and within a blink of an eye disappeared into a 13-6 lead.
Tony however dug in with a reply of 4 only for Gordy to take it away again and took a commanding lead of 17 to Tony’s 11. A couple of good bowls were soon countered by the Wayside ringer and sitting comfortably on all but, Tony saved game with a great pair, only for Gordy to then complete proceedings with a single at the next end to take the game 21-15.
Game 6
Greg Johnstone v Dave Rowson
It would now take a miracle for Black Swan to find a win from this position, it was all about bragging rights and a bit of pride for the Swan lads for the rest of the season and with Leeds fan Dave emulating his team, he wasn’t going down without a fight.
Greg leaked a pair on the first end; however, he soon shook off the nerves and produced some great bowling to continue where his teammates had gone before and after 13 ends, he was in a strong position 11-6 up. As I said before, Dave rallied and hit Greg for 6, taking a slender lead, back came Greg, 2 ends to him then 2 ends from Dave, great game. Nothing in it at the 24th end, Greg with his nose in front at 18-17, perhaps at this point experience told and Dave crawled over the line for Black Swan’s first winner on the night 21-18
Game 7
Andy Gilroy v Adam Varley
Buoyed by the great start from the front four, Andy got off well with a break of 5, Adam duly replied with a pair and two singles, and so this game continued in this fashion for the entirety of the game.
Strong break of 5 again from Andy, followed by a further 3, only to be interrupted by Adam with paltry single, 14-6 to Andy. Again, fighting spirt took over and Adam battled back to 15-16 down, it does help of course if your opponent bowls his two off the green!
Confident leads from Andy again giving a lead of 4 going into the business end of the game, 19 soon to be followed by all but!
Adam made him sweat 17…......................18….......................19, good effort, Adam just missing out on a good first bowl only for Andy to take the one that he needed to take the game 21-19.
Game 8
Chris Rigby v Tom Beecroft
With the sun now disappearing behind the fantastic new clubhouse and with the Cup already tucked away in the ever-growing trophy cabinet of Wayside,
Mr. reliable Chris Rigby strutted his stuff onto the Bilton Dragon green, cruising to a 10-1 lead in a matter of minutes.
At only a young age, young Tom has a lot of experience now and perhaps he had other ideas to stop Mr. Rigby enjoying an early trip to the pub for a celebratory beer or ten.
13-3 looked daunting, however Tom responded with some great bowling, 6 break followed by a further 5, Riggers only stopping the rot with a single in-between. 13-14 to Chris, great come back and he wasn’t done there, a pair against Tom held him for only a moment, but he was in no mood to hold back and romped over the line with a further 6 unanswered to wrap this game up 21-16, well done Tom!
Wayside 160 Black Swan 127
Congratulations to Wayside Travellers!
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