SILKSWORTH TOPPLE WEST END IN FEISTY EARL CUP TIE
IT’S ALL CHANGE AT THE TOP OF THE EARL CUP FIRST DIVISION AS TABLE-TOPPERS BARNES WEST END TUMBLE
The top-of-the-table Earl Cup clash between Barnes West End and Silksworth was a feisty affair.
Leaders Barnes West End last lifted the Earl Cup in 1944 and their hopes of ending the long wait for a second triumph took a huge hit as a rampant Silksworth outfit cruised to a 86-49 (7-0) win to move into top spot.
Roker Marine’s 76-57 (6½½) win at Houghton Town lifted them into second spot. A special mention must go to the Houghton Town members who deserves medals for having to play on an atrocious playing surface.
Usworth’s 68-60 (5-2) home defeat of Barnes Park propelled them up to third, while Hetton Workmen’s moved off the bottom, and out of the relegation places, with a thrilling 61¼-61 win over Seaham Town. Hylton CW defaulted 7-0 against Houghton Dairy Lane.
North Biddick are seven points clear in Division Two after a 92-54 (6½-½) victory over bottom club Whitburn.
Ryhope moved into the other promotion spot thanks to an 87-39 (7-0) success against South Hylton. Grindon Mill’s 67-43¼ (6-1) loss at Washington dropped them to fourth, while Sunderland defeated Thompson Park 70-64¾ (6-1).
After much deliberation, Sunderland & District officials took the sensible decision to give clubs the option of cancelling their Swan Cup fixtures on Wednesday due to England’s World Cup semi-final.
In the current climate, it was a brave decision and was warmly greeted by the majority of the clubs.
One Second Division game did get played early as leaders Usworth extended their advantage with a 62¾-49 (6-1) victory over Houghton Town.
The race for the Storey Bowl is wide open again after leaders Roker Park were beaten 89-54 (7-0) by holders Seaham Town.
The Bowl also produced two draws. Houghton Town and Hetton Workmen’s finished level at 69-69 (3½-3½) and, like a bus service, a second draw appeared as Wearmouth and Hylton CW drew 65-65 (3½-3½).
Leaders Roker Park head to Hylton CW today, while secondplaced Houghton Town have a bye.
Houghton Dairy Lane last won the Harold Howey Trophy in 1977, but this season they have two chances of lifting the title as their A and B teams are joint top with Silksworth.
The Dairy Lane B team missed out on the chance to go top outright as they were beaten 41-32 (4-0) at Hetton Workmen’s, while the A team made it a three-way tie in pole position with a 41-28 (4-0) win over North Biddick A. Roker Marine A got back to winning ways with a 38-21 (4-0) success at Ryhope, while Seaham Town defeated fifth-placed Roker Park 32-19 (3-1).
Division Two’s result of the day saw South Hetton pip leaders Chester le Street 29-28 (3-1).
North Biddick B moved up to sixth with a 42-20¼ (4-0) win over Pemberton A, while Thompson Park A had a fruitful trip to Roker Marine B, running out 40-24 (4-0) winners. Sunderland A remain fifth after a 41-27 (3-1) win over New Herrington.
The 3-2-1 knockout triples semi-finals take place at Roker Park and Roker Marine on Tuesday.
Holders Barnes West End booked their place with a win over Usworth and will face Roker Marine, who defeated Ryhope.
The other semi sees beaten finalists Silksworth up against Seaham Town after wins over Sunderland and Roker Park respectively. Barnes West End still lead the Grindon League after the seventh week of fixtures.
West End’s 5-0 win over Hylton CW moved them a point clear of Silksworth, who are still unbeaten following a 4-1 win at South Hylton.
Ryhope defeated Whitburn 5-0, but the stand-out result was Wearmouth’s 4-1 home win over Houghton Dairy Lane. This coming week, the top two are both away, with West End visiting New Herrington and Silksworth at Whitburn.
This season’s county competitions are at the heartbreaking semi-final stages.
Not only are the winners guaranteed a place in the county final, but they also secure a place at the national championships at Leamington Spa in August.
There is still plenty of local interest, with Silksworth’s David Bolt still on course for a four-timer.
On Monday, Bolt faces Dunston’s Alex Bryden in the singles at Dairy Lane.
The Silksworth four of Jack Deverson, Stevie Cairns, Paul Sainthouse and Josh Halcrow are in action at the same venue as they meet defending county fours champions Leadgate, skipped by Garry Robson.
It is a busy night on Wednesday as Bolt is joined by