BOWLS

CONSETT PARK WIN THE

“SHIMELD BOWL”

Annfield Plain Defeated

Consett Park gained an easy victory over Annfield Plain Park in the final of the Shimeld Bowl Competition, ran in connection with the North West Durham Bowls League, on the Stanley View Lane Park green on Saturday, a margin of 20 shots separating the teams at the finish. The winners thus gained some consolation for their defeat by one shot in last season's final, at the hands of Burnopfield Welfare.

Mr. E. Kirtley, chairman of the competition, presided at the presentation of the trophy which followed in the Imperial Hotel, Stanley.

In opening the proceedings Mr Kirtley expressed his pleasure at handing the trophy to Consett Park and in congratulating them sympathised with the losers but as he had gone from rink to rink during the game he was convinced the better team won. It was disappointing to them all, he felt sure, that Mr. Shimeld the donor, was unable to be present owing to the claims of business but they all understood that in these days business came first.

He suggested that the Secretary should write to. Mr. Shimeld thanking him for all he had done for the game of bowls in the district by the giving of the Bowl for annual competition, and this was unanimously agreed to.

Mr, J. Barrow, the chairman of the Consett Park Club, in accepting the Bowl said it had given them considerable satisfaction to have won, especially after their very narrow defeat—one  shot— last year. They, as a club, had a great respect for Anfield Plain’s playing abilities and that had made the win all the more pleasurable. He could say that every member of their side had enjoyed the game, which had been played in the true sporting spirit.

Speaking for the losers, Mr. J. G. Parker congratulated the winners on their success and also referred to the splendid spirit in which the game had been played.

He could assure them the Annfield Plain Park had a wholesome respect for Consett on the bowling green and that respect had been fully justified that day. There was no question of which was the better team. It was a clear cut win, and enabled Consett Park name to be inscribed on the bowl for the third time. He thanked Mr. Shimeld and the Parks Superintendent for the splendid green the game had been played on. Since his appointment the Superintendent had shown a great interest in the game and he could assure him that the bowlers of the district appreciated that interest.

Mr. J. W. Lake, secretary of the league, endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker regarding the excellent condition of the green on which the game had been played, and said the Consett Park players were looking forward to many more pleasant games in the Stanley area. He issued a warning that the other teams in the League would have to play hard next season if they desired to take the trophy from Consett Park for they were determined to hold on to it if it was at all possible.

Mr. C. Humphrey, Park and Burial Grounds Superintendent to Stanley Urban Counci] returned thanks for the kind remarks that had been made regarding the condition of the green and said most of the credit for that was due to the attention paid to it by his men. He could assure them that he and his staff would do their utmost to keep the greens in all the parks of the district in the best condition and he also proferred to assist any of the clubs with any competitions they cared to run. He concluded by asking the bowlers to bear in mind that the greens were there for anyone to play on and not solely for members of the bowling clubs. Some members of clubs appeared to hold the view that the greens were there for their benefit alone, which was totally wrong.

Consett Park;

H. P. Downie, J Barrow, J. W. Lake, E. Tindle, 17

W. Charlton, W. Clarkson, H, P. Hornsby, A. Bainbridge, 22

T. Myers, R. Clough, M. Oliver, W. R. Dixon, 18

T. Higgins, J T. Davison, R. Welsh, D. B. Scott, 30

87.

Annfield Plain Park;

T. Potts, G. Bowser, E. Spears, J, Mewes, 12

C. Oliver, J. G. Parker, J. Pointen, E. Raine, 19

T. Richardson, S. Mahaffey, E. Smith, R. Lowson, 24

W. Forster, J. Dufton, J. Bibby, W. Maddison, 12

67.