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May Festival Junior Challenge Trophy Mike Preston writes:
On Sunday 5th May 24 Juniors started the May Festival week.
Above: All the participants
The eight teams played three one hour matches scoring 2 points for a win & one for a draw. We had three teams entered, our "A" team had our new England International Jack Bird skipping with 2 novice players in Nathan Richards & Deklan Foster. In their first match they lost 4-5 with losing a measure to draw on the last end. They won their second match 16-2 against a Darlington team. In their last match against our "C" team it was close after 5 ends it was 4-3 to the "C" team but our "A" team dropped a 3 on the 6th end and could only score a single on the last end to lose 4-7. Still a great effort.
Our "B" team was Joseph Mann skipping with 2 novice players in Tom Reynoldson & Alex Richards. All three of their matches were against different Darlington teams, at 6 ends in the first match, they were leading 6-3 but unfortunately dropped 2 x 2's on the next 2 ends to go down 6-7. In the 2nd match at 5 ends they were leading 4-3 but on the 6th end dropped a 6 & could only score one shot on the last end to lose 5-9. In their last match the lads were clearly tiring losing 4-11.
Our "C" team had Matthew Bell skipping with Alisdair Rhodes & for the 1st match David Sessions who had to go to work after that & was replaced by novice Thomas Lester for the last 2 matches. In their first match against a Darlington team they started well winning 13-4. In the 2nd match against another Darlington team they again played well & won 10 - 2. The last match was against our "A" team and as I reported earlier won a very close game 7-4.
Above: Our winning group "C"
So at the end of the days play there were 2 unbeaten teams on 6 points. Our "C" team & Darlington "A" so it went to shots difference & would you credit it thet were tied on +20 shots. So it had to go to shots against Darlington had 14 shots against them & we had only 10 so Scarborough "C" won with Darlington "A" 2nd & Darlington "B" in 3rd place being the only team on 4 points.
Above: All three winning teams
The competition was sponsored by Thomas Taylor & the 3rd place team all received a Thomas Taylor bowls towel & pen. The runners up won towel, measure & cap. With the winners won towel, cap & bowls bag. All the other players received a pen for taking part.
I thanked S.I.B.C. for their support. Catering dept,all the juniors for again some real good quality bowling. All the supporters, Sue & Dot Preston, Brenda Foster for running the tombola & raising £72.50 & of course Thomas Taylor our sponsors.
Alan Hodges Trophy Mike Preston writes:
On Sunday 21st April we held the 7th annual school of excellence competition sponsored by Joan Hodges a great supporter of the juniors. We had 16 players taking part with 8 in the junior section & 8 in the senior section.
Above: All the players and coaches
Different tests were set over 5 rinks with each player scoring points on how well they do.
We had jack rolling to a set length within a half a metre scored 3 points within 1 metre 2 points & 1 point if within 1.5 metres.
Another test was to deliver bowls to a target bowl with the same scoring as in jack rolling above.
The next test was a ramp where any bowl finishing in the ramp scored 2 points.
Then we had a cricket score sheet. scoring 2,4 or 6 depending where the bowl finishes on the sheet. For the junior section we placed 2 sheets down to make a bigger target.
The last exercise was to "beat the Bowl". Jack in the ditch with a target bowl for the juniors 4 metres from the ditch & for the seniors 2 metres from the ditch.
If a delivered bowl passed the target bowl within a metre the player scored 2 points, for the juniors they scored 2 points if was with in 2 metres past the target bowl, if however any seniors were within a metre of the ditch & stayed on the rink then 5 points would be scored for the juniors if they finished within 2 metres of the ditch then 5 points would be scored.
They did the circuit twice & after all the points were added up the runner up in the junior group was Alex Richards with 43 points, the winner being Deklan Foster with 49 points.
In the senior group runner up on 53 points was Joseph Mann & the winner was Jack Bird on 60 points.
A great achievement as both were playing at South Shields yesterday in U25 Aussie pairs and adjusted well.
The overall highest score wins the "Alan Hodges Trophy" for the year.
So with 60 points it was for the 4th year running Jack Bird.
I thanked all the players for the great effort they showed & told them some of these skills more experienced adult bowlers would find difficult.
I also thanked all family & friends for supporting the juniors.
Joan Hodges & her family watched with Joan presenting all the players with a certificate.
She also presented the trophies to the winners & runners up in each group.
Above: The winners (front) Alex Richards, Deklan Foster (back )Joseph Mann & Jack Bird, with Joan Hodges and Mike Preston.
We look forward to the May Festival next & wished Jack good luck as he is involved in the England trials next weekend at Rugby.
Under 25 Aussie Pairs Mike Preston writes: We had two teams enter this years U25 Aussie Pairs at South Shields IBC on Saturday 20th April. In one team was John Hall with Jack Bird in the other was Jonny Stanger & Joseph Mann.
There were two groups of five teams in each group. All matches were 40 mins & if an end killed then 3 shots away. Two points for a win & one for a draw. With the top two teams in each group progressing to the semi final of the main & 3rd & 4th going into the semi final of the plate.
Jack & John won their first match easily 16-1 against a home team from South Shields. Jonny & Joseph lost a close game 5-3 against a team from The Parks IBC. Jack & John again played well against another local team this time taking it 14-3. Jonny & Joseph were up against a team from Ferryhill & did really well to win it 12-6. Jack & John marched on in their 3rd game winning 10-1. Joseph & Jonny had a close game against a combined team from South Shields & Hebburn losing it 6-2. Jack & John played against a team from Stanley & again had the skill & ability to win convincingly 9-1 finishing their 4 matches scoring 49 shots & only dropping 5! Amazing standard. Jonny & Joseph played against another team from the Parks battling hard but lost 12-2. Jonny & Joseph reached the semi final of the plate competition. They were against a team from South Shields & played much better to reach the final by winning 8-3. In the final against the combined team of South Shields/ Hebburn they could not repeat the same standard & lost 10-6. In the main semi final Jack & John were against a team from the Parks & once again the win in great style 9-2. In the final they were against another team from the Parks & fell at the last fence losing their only match 11-4. Both our teams have played really well all day over the six matches in the day. Jonny & Joseph won £10 as runner up in the plate. Jack & John won £120 as runner up in the main.
Club Competition Finals - 13th & 14th April 2013 Mike Preston writes:
It was the Under 18 Club finals this weekend. On Saturday the Handicapped singles took place between Matthew Bell & Joseph Mann. As Joseph is a bit more experienced Matthew started with a three shot start. It is the first to 21.
Above: Joseph Mann & Matthew Bell
Matthew started well placing his first bowl about 12 inches from the jack, Joseph then played his first bowl & rested just inside Matthew's. Matthew's next bowl came inside Joseph's!! Then Matthew played another cracker & touched the jack back to his own bowl, this meant four bowls all within 9 inches of the jack. What a start if either player was nervous it did not show.
Matthew scored 2 shots & followed it up with a single to lead 6-0. Joseph scored 3 shots on the next two ends to reduce the lead 6-3. Matthew scored a single on the next two ends to lead 8-3.
Joseph then showed his experience even though Matthew battled hard Joseph took the next 6 ends scoring 9 shots to go into the lead 12-8. Matthew came back with 2 singles to trail 10-12.
Again good bowling from both players saw Joseph stretch his lead over the next 3 ends scoring 8 shots to lead 20-10 Matthew to his credit did not give up & won the next end with a single. Joseph was not to be denied & took the winning shot to finish the match 21-12.
A great game.
Matthew plays crown Green bowls also, which is a great skill to play both codes on alternate days. On Sunday he is playing at Elland in a County trial for the Crown Green squad, we wish him well.
On Sunday the U18 open singles final was between Jack Bird & David Sessions.
David playing in his first open singles final was up against the new U25 & Men's singles Champion Jack Bird.
 Above: Jack Bird & David Sessions
The underdog started well scoring three shots on the first 2 ends. Jack then scored on the next three ends with a total of 8 shots. David scored another single but no matter what David did Jack was just too good for him winning 21-4.
A great experience for them all.
Some of the juniors will be looking ahead to next weekends competitions in the U25 aussie pairs at South Shields on Saturday.
Then on Sunday it's the annual "Alan Hodges Trophy" school of excellence here.
Then on Sunday 5th May the junior triples comp opening the May Festival.
Junior School of Excellence
Mike Preston writes:
We had five juniors take part in the Regional stage of the school of excellence held at Darlington IBC. Three were in the "junior" section Matthew Bell, Nathan & Alex Richards. In the "senior" section was James Brown & Jack Bird.
As in the previous round held here each player plays three singles matches each win scores ten points with a draw scoring five. Then they go through the different skills to score points which are added to the singles total.
The top four in each section play in a semi final knockout which also counts with another ten points for a win.
Then the two finalists in each section qualify to go to Melton Mowbray in October for the national finals.
In the junior section both Nathan & Alex did really well considering they have only been playing the sport a year! Nathan finished his score on 46 points with big brother Alex just ahead on 51.
Matthew did a little better winning all three singles matches & with his skills score had a total of 86 placing him first out of the "junior" section. Unfortunately he lost his semi final therefore just missed out on qualifying for the finals.
In the "senior" section James won one, drew one & lost one in the singles & with his skills score ended on 68. He did not make the last four.
Jack won all three of his singles matches, then adding his skills score finishing top with the same points 96 as local player Noah Cummings. to determine the 1st / 2nd place for the semi finals the organisers had to look at shot difference between them & they were the same with +12!!
So they then went to ends won Jack had won 14, Noah just 12 so jack was ranked at number one!!
The E.I.B.A reps said in the history of this comp there has never been such a closer result.
So Jack was in the semi final ranked first & won. He then met Noah in the final as he won his semi final. The lads have met a few times before & it is on the day who wins. This time it was Noah who won but both lads qualify for the finals at Melton Mowbray in October. So we wish Jack well when he goes.
County Under 25 Mens Singles Mike Preston reports:
On Sunday 24th February we held the Quarter & Semi Final stages in the County U25 Mens singles.
Only one entrant is allowed from each club. Unfortunately only six players took part. Our player was Jack Bird who won the title in 2011.
The format is 2 sets of 9 ends if the players win one set each a tie break of 3 ends with only one shot counting on each end would be played. If the jack goes out the rink it is re-spotted a metre from the "T" on the side the jack went off.
Jack had a bye so his first match was in the semi final against C McKenzie from New Earswick.
Jack started well winning the first four ends with 2,3,4 & a 3 to lead 12 -nil. McKenzie scored a single on the 5th end 6th ends to reduce the score to 12 - 2 after 6 ends. Jack came back with another score of 3 which meant that leading 15 - 2 from 7 ends Jack had won the 1st set with still 2 ends to play.
In the start of the 2nd set Jack scored a single & then a 2 to lead 3 - 0 with Callum scoring over the next 3 ends with a 1,2 & 3 to go into the lead 6-3. Jack came back strong with 3 shots on the next end to level it at 6 ends. Jack continued to play well winning the 2nd set with 4 more shots over the next 2 ends. This meant Jack won 10 - 6 and 2 sets to nil.
In the other semi final M Hughes (Featherstone) was against C Legate (Harrogate) Hughes won having to comeback from trailing after the first end in the tie break, scoring with his last bowl in the 2nd & 3rd end to win.
The Final between Jack & Mark Hughes is due to be played on 9th March at New Earswick.
School of Excellence Mike Preston reports: On Sunday 20th January, 13 juniors managed to brave the elements to take part in this year's School of excellence.
Some juniors could not make it due to the weather & illness. We had 5 in the junior section (U15's). Bethany Cape, Matthew Bell, Nathan & Alex Richards & George Brown. In the senior section
(15-18) we had Jack Bird & James Brown.
 Above: All the players
All the players complete the same exercises scoring points as they go.
After all the exercises were completed each player would play singles matches. Each match is over 7 ends with 3 bowls. A win would score 10 points with a draw scoring 5 & these scores being added to the skill scores.
From this the top 4 from each group went into a semi final singles match with a win still scoring 10 more points.
Both Jack & James reached the semi final & were drawn against each other. Jack won it 11-1.
In the final Jack was against Cameron Legate from Harrogate.
After 3 ends Jack started well & led 6-0.
On the 4th end Legate scored a maximum 3 shots to cut the lead in half.
Jack came back & with 2 singles scored over the next 2 ends to win 8-3 with no need to play the last end. In the junior group semi final we had Alex Richards v Matthew Bell. Both lads played well with Matthew winning 8-3.
In the other semi final Nathan Richards was up against Neil McDonald from York.
This was a real close game with both players level on 3 each after 6 ends. Nathan won with a single 4-3 to go through to the final against Matthew.
This again was a real tight game. Matthew started the better leading 4-1 after 4 ends but Nathan would not give up. He scored a single on the 5th end & then a 2 on the 6th end to level the match at 4 all. Matthew was first to get closer to the jack & looked like he was going to win but Nathan with his last bowl took shot bowl with Matthew still holding his last bowl. Mathew just missed the head so Nathan won 5-4.
So the top 2 from each group was guaranteed to represent Yorkshire in the next round.
In the junior group both our players qualified, in second place was Nathan Richards with 58 points & Matthew Bell winning the group on 82 points.
In the seniors Cameron Legate from Harrogate was 2nd with 81 points & winning was Jack Bird on 99 points.
 Above: Our 5 players qualifying for the semi finals. L-R back Matthew Bell, Jack Bird & James Brown. L-R front Alex Richards & Nathan Richards.
A terrific effort from all our players as for some of our younger juniors this is their first experience of this type of competition.
January Tournament
Mike Preston writes:
"On Sunday 6th January we held our annual Tournament with 22 players taking part.
As there were seven teams every team played each other with each match lasting 5 ends. It was a two wood triples competition.
When the seven rounds with each team having played six matches, the top four teams went into the main competition semi-final & final, with the following three teams in the plate competition. These three teams would play each other to determine the order in the plate.
Two points awarded for a win, one for a draw then shot difference would determine teams on the same points.
Above: All the players
After the six matches were completed our "B" team which had Alex Richards, Lauren Pacey & Joseph Mann were ranked number 1 unbeaten on 11 points after winning 5 matches & drawing 1.
Our "C" team were which had was Alisdair Rhodes, Ben Grahamslaw & Matthew Bell finished in 2nd place on 8 points, putting Darlington "A" team also with 8 points into 3rd place on shot difference.
The 4th team going into the main competition was Darlington "B" on 6 points.
In the Plate competition was our "A" team in 5th place which had Nathan Richards, Steven Broadbent & Jack Bird on 5 points.
Our 4th team was a team of 4 as we had an extra player so we alternated Deklan Foster with Abbie Hardaker, Joe Usher & David Sessions they finished in 7th place.
In the plate competition our "A" & "D" teams played against each other in the first game, with the "A" team winning.
Our "D" team did better in the next match against Darlington "C" by winning with David Session playing a fantastic last bowl to win.
Our "A" team also beat Darlington "C" to win the plate Competition with our "D" team in runner up position.
In the main competition our "B" team started to struggle & tire after doing so well earlier in the day
as they lost in the semi final to Darlington "B" & then lost in the 3rd/4th playoff against Darlington "A" who had been beaten in their semi-final by our "C" team with it being 3 all going into the last end, Matthew Bell with his last bowl playing a winning bowl to within a couple of inches from the jack.
This meant that our "C" team had reached the final against Darlington "B". In a close match we eventually lost 7-3 to finish as runner up.
Above: The winners
To sum up out of our four teams we ended both competitions in the runner up spot & won the plate.
Above: The plate winners. From left - Jack Bird, Mike Preston, Steven Broadbent. Front - Nathan Richards.
I presented the prize money & trophies.
I also thanked all the juniors for an outstanding & long days play (5 hours)!!!!
A big thank you to our bowling club for providing the venue again.
Thanks also to Sue & Dot Preston with Joan Colley for running the tombola & other fundraising to raise £96 for junior funds."
Under 18s Christmas Competition Much fun was had at the Under 18s Christmas Competition on Sunday 23rd December. Photograph by Jaqueline Brown.
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