SILKSWORTH ON BRINK OF EARL CUP SUCCESS
Silksworth came out on top against Roker Marine 64-62 (5-2) when the top two in the Earl Cup went head to head
In a thrilling last end finish, leaders Silksworth defeated Roker Marine to extend their lead at the top to five points.
In the final round of games, Silksworth head to Barnes Park needing two points to retain their title, while Marine host Usworth needing all seven and Silksworth to slip up.
Barnes West End’s title hopes were ended as they were beaten by neighbours Barnes Park 73-68 (6-1).
Hetton Workmen have had a tough season, but produced a cracking 54½-54 (52) win over Houghton Dairy Lane.
Houghton Town maybe relegated, but they finished the season on a high when defeating Hylton Colliery 87-51 (7-0).
The other game saw Seaham Town default against Usworth 1-0 (7-0), while Seaham must hope Hylton Colliery get nothing against Hetton and they pick up 6½ against Houghton Town to avoid the drop.
In Division Two, North Biddick are promoted as champions after a 71-57 (5-2) win over Thompson Park.
The other promotion place could mathematically go to anyone of three teams.
Washington need to beat Whitburn to guarantee second place, while a Washington defeat could open the door for Ryhope or Grindon Mill.
The Swan Cup title was already in Silksworth’s grasp, but the champions did however lose their final game at Roker Marine 71-58 (6-1).
It was a bitter sweet Marine win, who were bottom after two games and were the only team to complete the double over the champions, finishing runners up 2½ points behind the champions.
Holders Houghton Dairy Lane finished third after defeating South Hylton 91-50 (6-1).
Barnes Park completed a double derby week win as they beat West End 71-68 (5-2).
Seaham Town defeated Hetton Workmen’s 68¾-52½ (6-1), however, both will be in Division Two next season.
In Division Two, Usworth go up as champions after defeating Hylton Colliery 7042¾ (6-1), and Grindon Mill will be joining them, a 78¾34½
H(7-0) win over Roker Park sealed the deal.
Ryhope finished on a high when defeating third placed Washington 77-53 (6-1).
The remaining game saw Houghton Town beat Thompson Park 61¾-52 (6-1).
The issue of teams playing short will no doubt be discussed during the close season and various proposals will be put forward at the AGM in November.
Last year there were calls to change to format to 12 players, but this move would be detrimental to those few clubs able to field 16 so, a move to 14 players consisting of two rinks and two triples could be a workable solution and appease clubs struggling and the larger membership clubs.
The Sunderland & District AGM will be held on Saturday, November 24, at 2pm in the Roker Park Pavilion, the minutes will be circulated at a later date.
The only outstanding result in the Harold Howey Division One was Hylton Colliery A’s 26½-26 (3-1) win over North Biddick.
Had Hylton nicked the fourth point they would have avoided relegation, however, they go down with Whitburn.
In Division Two, leaders
HHChester-le-Street were left stranded as a bye in the last round of games allowed Thompson Park B and Washington Glebe A to pinch the two promotion places.
Hetton Workmen’s ended another successful Storey Bowl title campaign with a 77-49 (6-1) win at Pennywell.
Holders Seaham Town finished second while Houghton Town finished third with a 7756 (6-1) win at Roker Park.
There has been three Sunderland Women’s finals played, where in the champion of champions Barnes Park’s Val Bamborough took the title with a 21-19 win over Ryhope’s Brenda Forrest.
There was some consolation for Forrest as the Ryhope star landed the Town Singles defeating Whitburn’s Florence Rodenby 21-8.
The Town Pairs title went to Sunderland as Charlotte Bayliss and Lorraine Breheny repeated their 2016 success this time defeating Whitburn’s Sheila Happer and Muriel Felce 21-12.
HHThe Ladies’ Round Robin Triples sponsored by Jeff Wilson (Ashbrooke Funeral Directors) went to the Silksworth
Htrio of Sheila Moody, Suzanne Kelly and Norma Stephenson.
Runners-up were Whitburn’s Maureen Smith, Joan Wilson and Muriel Felce.
As the National Championships at Leamington Spa enter its final few days there was more semi-final heartache for Silksworth’s David Bolt.
In the Triples alongside Phil Dixon and Gary Farquhar, the Silksworth trio were beaten 19-11 by Devon’s England internationalist trio of Louis Ridout, Jamie Chestney and Sam Tolchard.
Having qualified in five events it has been a long two weeks for Bolt.
Dreams of a Two Bowl title were dashed in the first round with a 16-7 loss to the eventual national champion Essex’s Edward Morris.
Bolt’s final hopes of a national title was in the Singles as he looked to repeat his tremendous 2011 success.
An early 21-7 win over Somerset’s Julian Hembury was followed up with a 2113 win over Kent’s Michael Cheeseman.
Bolt moved into the quarter-finals with 21-17 win over Suffolk’s Roger Adams, and he will face Yorkshire’s Vinnie O’Neill.
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