FERRY GOOD SHOW FOR TRIO
BOWLS ROUND-UP: SILKSWORTH STARS LIFT BURKETT SHIELD
The destination of the Burkett Shield has been decided – with Silksworth trio Neal Ridley, Ian Riches and Billy Ferry coming out on top.
In the final, played at Barnes West End, they came up against Hetton Workmen’s John Doyle, Peter Harding and John Purdy.
The early exchanges saw Ferry lead 12-3, a count of four to Hetton raised their hopes at 12-7, however with Ferry in terrific form the Silksworth trio regrouped and eventually finished 18-9 victors.
The semi finals of the Silver Jacks were played at Barnes Park. Silksworth’s Gary McPheators and Jim Richardson booked a final place with a 20-14 win over Ryhope’s Bill Barkess and Dale Fenwick.
It will be an all Silksworth final as Jason McKenna and Ferry beat Houghton Dairy Lane’s Ray Robinson and Jeff Wilson 18-15.
A Ferry win would put him in a band of select players to hold both the Jacks and Burkett in the same year.
As the outdoor season enters the final three weeks the various league titles are still up for grabs.
Earl Cup leaders Silksworth returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion as they hit Hylton Colliery for a ton 102-32¼ (7-0), Roker Marine moved into second place after defeating Barnes West End 73-66 (6-1) and are now only five points behind the leaders.
With only two games to play Silksworth head to Seaham while Marine host Barnes Park.
In the second division, North Biddick’s 77-62½ (6-1) win over Roker Park means they only need four points from their remaining two games to seal promotion, Washington Glebe’s 75-44 (61) win over Sunderland has put them 11½ points clear of Thompson Park although the two sides meet this week.
The Swan Cup title race took another twist as leaders Silksworth were beaten at Dairy Lane 64-53 (5½-1½). That win puts Dairy Lane a point behind the leaders with two games to go however Dairy Lane have their bye this week.
That result has opened the door ajar for Roker Marine who defeated Barnes West End 76-69 (5½-1½), Marine are five and a half points adrift but they meet Silksworth in the final game in a fortnight’s time.
In a weather restricted game, Seaham Town kept alive their hopes of escaping the drop with a 51-43 (6-1) win over North Biddick.
Hetton Workmen’s 5349¾ (5-2) loss at South Hylton has seen them drop to bottom.
In the second division, Usworth secured promotion with a thrilling 61-60¾ (5-2) win over Washington. The leaders can seal the title if they defeat second placed Roker Park, Thompson Park’s promotion hopes took a hit as they lost at home 56-31 (6-1) to Hylton Colliery.
In the Storey Bowl, Seaham Town’s 76-46 (7-0) win at Thompson Park has closed the gap to just one and a halfpoints behind leaders Hetton Workmen who had a bye, Roker Park, who still have an outside chance of the title, host Pennywell today.
The destination of the Harold Howey will be decided this week as the final round of games take place on Thursday. Barnes Park B’s 45-28 (4-0) win at North Biddick A means they only need a point in their final game at home to Roker Park to secure a fourth Howey success.
Second-placed Houghton Dairy Lane B defeated Ryhope A 43-28½ (3½-½) but may rue that dropped half point and will need all four points at Roker Marine A and hope Barnes slip up. The battle to avoid the drop will also go to the final week, while the race for promotion from the second division will also go to the final games as any two from Thompson Park B, Chester-le-Street, Washington Glebe A and Pennywell will go up.
TheGrindonleagueTommy Thompson double fours final will be between Hylton Colliery and Silksworth.
Last week’s semi-finals saw Hylton defeat Barnes West End 31-29 and in a repeat of the 2017 final, Silksworth defeated Usworth 34-25.