BOWLS

CONSETT PARK

RETAIN TROPHY

Shimeld Bowl Win Over

Chopwell

The final of the Shimeld Bowl run in connection with the North West Durham Bowls League, was played on Saturday on the Stanley View Lane Park green and resulted in a win for Consett Park over Chopwell by six shots. Consett Park, who were the holders of the trophy, thus completed the “double,” for seven days previously they had won the championship of the League by defeating South Moor Park.

Mr. E. Kirtley, chairman of the competition, presided over the presentation of the Bowl, which took place afterwards in the Commercial Hotel, Stanley. In a few appropriate remarks the chairman expressed pleasure at the high standard the game reached, and said the result was in doubt until the last end. He congratulated Consett Park on gaining the honours for the second successive time, and also on the League championship win of the previous week, both excellent performances. He also extended his congratulations to Chopwell for the magnificent fight they had put up - they had certainly made the redoubtable side go all out to win.

In presenting the Bowl to the Consett Park Club, Mr. A. J Shimeld said it was a great pleasure to him to be present with the two teams, and whilst acknowledging the great performance of the Consett Club he expressed the view that they were becoming little too greedy, this being the fourth time they had won it during its nine years existence, which seemed to be a little too many, and it looked as though they would have to field a weaker side to allow the honours to go round somewhat. He suggested that toe North-West Durham League should consider trying to arrange games with Sunderland or Shields clubs and so help to put North West Durham on the map in the bowling sphere, as well as obtain representation in county games.

From the games he had seen, he had no doubt a number of players operating in the League would justify themselves if chosen for the county, because they were as good as any he had seen in other parts of the county.

Accepting the trophy on behalf of the Consett Park Club, Mr. J Barrow (chairman) said they had been pleased to oppose Chopwell because they were such a set of good sports. The game that day had been played in the highest traditions of the sport, and whilst he was sorry to disappoint Mr Shimeld, they were determined to hold on to the Bowl as long as they possibly could, but he hoped that when they did relinquish hold, that Chopwell were the new holders. Referring to Mr. Shimeld’s remarks regarding games with clubs from other Leagues, in peace time the North West Durham League had played against other leagues and also county sides, and had always justified themselves. On a number of occasions representatives of the Consett Club had been chosen on county sides and had always come up to the mark.

Mr. Shimeld then handed over a sum of money to both clubs, in lieu of medals, owing to these being unobtainable. He gave an assurance, however, that as soon after the war as medals were procurable again they would be provided for the competition, and if he possibly could, he would endeavour to obtain medals for presentation to those who had been unable to receive them during the war years.

Speaking on behalf of the Chopwell Club, Mr. J. Kerr (chairman) mentioned that they had all been determined to carry the cup back with them when they left Chopwell, but though they had tried hard, they had been narrowly beaten. This was all in the game, however, and they lived to fight another day. He issued a warning to Consett, however, that they were determined to put Chopwell on the map, and winning the trophy was one of the ways of doing it, so Consett would have to look out next year.

Mr. J. W. Lake, secretary of the North-West Durham League, observed that both teams had given a grand display that day, and were a credit to the league. In a reference to Mr. Shimeld’s observations regarding players from the league on to the county team, he could assure him, as a member of the County Selection Committee, that he would weigh up carefully what had been said by him regarding North-West Durham players being selected. He expressed the thanks of the players to Mr. T. Lynn for his excellent secretarial arrangements, and stated that they hoped to have Mr Lynn's services in the capacity for many years to come.

Mr. J. Lowe, secretary of the Chopwell club, said they had only been in vogue about four seasons and this was their first appearance in any kind of final, but he hoped it would not be their last. All their players, he could assure them, were keen on taking a prominent part in the destination of both league and cup honours in forthcoming seasons.

Adding his tribute to the high quality of the play they had witnessed that day, Mr. R. Bewley, representing the View Lane Park Club, said he would like to make a suggestion to the players. This was to stand away from the jack a little, instead of crowding round it, because, he was certain, they would create more interest amongst the spectators. View Lane Park had been pleased to have the game on their green and appreciated the kind things that had been said about it’s perfection by the players of both teams.

SCORES

Consett Park

T. Smurthwaite, W. Chariton, A, Bainbridge, R. Nevin (s)—17; T. Myers, W. Clarkson, R. W. Gowland, R. Welch (s)—10; G. Oliver, T. Dunn, E. Wills, W. R. Dixon (s) 13; P. H. Downie, J. Barrow, E, Tindle, J. W. Lake (s)—34. Total, 74.

Chopwell.

J. Hird, W. Mills, J. Talbot, A. Lowes (s)—16; E. Adamson, 0. Powell, W. Adamson, J. Adamson (s)—24; J. Whitfield, J. Kerr, Cole, J. West (s)—21; A. Egglestone, J. Lowe, H. Heslop, W. Talbot(s) —7. Total, 68

LOCAL CHAMPIONS

The finals in Consett Park Championships competitions resulted as follows :

Singles : T. Smurthwaite, 21; E. Tindle, 17.

Pairs: R. Russell and J. W. Lake, 22; G. Oliver and S. Page, 21

Triplets : R. Nettleton, J. Wilkinson, R. W. Gowland, 15; R. Welch, H. Boot, J. W. Lake, 12.

Rink : T. Smurthwaite, J. Murray, P. H. Downie, J. T. Davison (s), 14; G. Thompson, R. Alsop, H. Elliott, P. Higgins (s), 11

Two-woods final : A. Bainbridge,21; R. Smith, 15