Moorfield No1 reach the last four in cup and secure runners-up spot

IN a match delayed since the first week of the season in the Widnes & District Pensioners Bowls League, Widnes Bowling Club No1 played The Grapes knowing that a win for their opponents would give them the runners-up spot in Division One.

The Grapes made the better start as they had three winners.

However, the best of the first four winners was Chris Oates who triumphed 21-10.

This restricted The Grapes’ lead to only two chalks.

In the second half, John Cleary’s 21-7 success struck the fatal blow for Widnes who destroyed their visitors’ runners-up prospects winning the contest by six chalks.

This left The Grapes in third place, two points behind runners-up Moorfield No1.

This was a good week for Moorfield No1 who also progressed to the Isherwood Cup semi-finals.

Their quarter-final showdown against Willow Brook was a nerve-tingling affair.

Giving Willow Brook a 14 start on handicap, Moorfield had two losers in the first four as they managed to pull back just four chalks at the interval.

Then, George Leishman stepped in with a vital 21-9 success for Moorfield.

Alan Mitchell (21-11) and Brian Hough (21-20) also won for Moorfield and Peter Goodwin did just enough in losing 21-14 to ensure Moorfield of a place in today’s semi-finals.

They will travel to The Grapes to face Victoria Park No1 who beat Widnes Bowling Club No2, the last of the Third Division sides left in the competition.

Victoria Park No2 made a fine start against Widnes by winning the first four games to reduce their lead by 18 chalks.

Then Ken Lewis (21-8) and Norman Beesley (21-4) took the tie away from Widnes, despite Peter Higginson (21-19) and Derek O’Neil (21-10) fighting hard for Widnes.

Victoria Park No2 won the contest by 21 chalks.

In the top half of the draw, First Division sides Eccleston and The Grapes faced each other.

The Grapes had a two chalks start in the encounter, but lost 12 chalks in the first four games thanks to Rod Kaye’s 21-9 victory.

Two winners to each side in the second four meant that Eccleston moved into the semi-finals where they will face Victoria Park No1 at the USC today.

In the Four-A-Side competitions there was a nail-biting match at Moorfield last Wednesday where Victoria Park 1a beat The Ball b by a single chalk in the Second Division clash.

They were set to face Runcorn War Memorial Club yesterday.

At the same time Victoria Park 1b will play The Ball a in the second semi-final.

Both matches will be played at Fords.

The winners go on to play off next Wednesday on Finals Day at Moorfield.

Also on that day and at the same venue will be the First and Third Division Four-A-Side competition finals.

In the First Division, Fords or Halewood will play The Grapes or Widnes Bowling Club.

In the Third Division final, Birchfield or Fords No2 will play Fords No3 or Cronton.