Tex on target with a vital victory as Bowling Club claim Merriman Cup
ON Friday evening in the Widnes & District Darts League, the latter stages of the Merriman Cup took place at Simms Cross Institute.
The first semi-final was between Widnes Bowling Club and Millfield.
The Milly claimed the opening game through Keith Horabin. The Bowler responded via Scott Grady to level the score and then went ahead through Joe Batty.
In the pairs, Scott Grady & Joe Batty combined to increase the Bowlers’ lead, but the Millfield’s Alan Sutton & Billy Fox stepped up to reduce the deficit.
However, the Bowler stepped up to take the match with Tex Bowles & Mark Smith rounding off the pairs before Alan Clark, Harry Ellis and Alex McGill won in the remaining singles booking their side a spot in the final.
The second semi-final between the Mill Brow and newly-promoted Birchfield went down right down to the wire.
Dave Jones gave the Birchfield the early advantage only to see Chris Bright level for the Brow.
An excellent 16-dart game from Ian Sharples put the Birchfield ahead going into the pairs.
In the pairs, Paul Linger & Neil Platt followed by Dave Powell & Brian Spruce put the Brow ahead for the first time.
However, their lead did not last long as Dave Herley & Keith Allen restored parity for the Birchfield at 3-3.
Back into the final round of singles, Keith Allen nudged the Birchfield ahead, but Paul Linger stepped up for the Brow to force a final deciding game of darts.
This was rapidly taken in 15 darts by Dave Powell for the Mill Brow to put them through to the final.
In the final the Mill Brow started well with a win from Chris Bright. However, the Bowler hit back through Joe Batty and a 14 dart display from Scott Grady saw them take the lead.
In the pairs, Scott Grady & Joe Batty increased the Bowlers’ lead. Despite Dave Powell & Chris Bright reducing the gap, Alan Clark & Tex Bowles with a 13 dart game had the Bowler on the brink of ● victory. With three singles games left to play Paul Linger and Dave Powell put the Brow right back in the match as the score were levelled at 4-4 with one to go.
But their efforts and hopes were dashed as Tex Bowles took the last game to give the Bowling Club victory in a well-contested match as they secured the silverware.