MCINTOSH MAKES THE WORLD FINALS AGAIN
IAN QUALIFIES FOR SINGLES, WHILE JAXON MCKENNA AND SHAUN MCINTOSH WIN PAIRS
South Shields-based Ian McIntosh will compete in the World Singles Bowls Finals for the second successive year after overcoming fellow Shieldsman David Bolt in the qualifying event at Carlisle.
Just a week after Bolt missed out in the International Open qualifiers, the pair met in a high-quality final from which McIntosh emerged victorious, 6-4, 5-5.
McIntosh lost to Mervyn King on the big stage last season but will hope the experience stands him in good stead when he faces England’s Robert Paxton - last term’s beaten finalist - at Potters on Wednesday, January 18 (2pm).
There was further good news for the Shields club in the World Pairs qualifiers as Jaxon McKenna and Shaun McIntosh battled their way through three rounds before eventually beating Durham’s Michael Laydon and Mark Higgins in the final.
The Shields pair took the first set 9-0, Durham landed the second 11-8 but Shields claimed the tie-breaker 2-0.
They now face another English qualifying pair, Paul Sharman and Mike Titcombe, in the preliminary round on Friday, January 11 (9.45am) for the right to grace the famous portable blue rink of the international arena.
Meanwhile, the Durham Inter County League gets underway as Houghton and South Shields go head to head. Houghton narrowly avoided relegation last season, while Shields romped to the Division Two title.
Thefollowingsquadshave been selected for a 2pm start: at Houghton: Houghton
– M.Noble, B.Johnson, D.Wright, J.Jones, M.Baker, S.Patterson, A.Patterson, F.Froud. Shields – W.Upsall, G.Brass, K.Taylor, J.Minto, R.Hunter, M.Carr, D.Wilson, W.Ferry.
At Shields: Houghton - M.Wright, K.Armstrong, F.Fletcher, P.Thomson, A.Ferguson, E.Downes, T.Joicey, R.Mckie. Shields
– E.McCord, M.Baker, J.Halcrow, J.Sneller, R.Cragg, E.Weightman, R.Chapman, A.Harrison.
Following Parks B’s decision to withdraw from the Area 3 Seniors group, the league standings have been revised - South Shields A 1-5, Stanley 1-4, Houghton Sancroft 2-1, Gateshead A 0-0.
In the Area 4 Seniors, Houghton Kepier are back in action as they host Durham B on Wednesday at 12.30pm, with the following squad selected: P.Taylor, TBC, D.Armstrong, F.Kell, TBC, W.Wells, T.Baister, B.Johnson, A.Newton, D.Ward, TBC, K.Hembrough. Reserves – D.Forth, J.Eggleston, S.Barnes.
Back in local Singles stages of the national competitions, McIntosh had a cracking 21-14 win at Durham against Russell Bewick while Gateshead’s Brian Orrell defeated Durham’s Brian Brown 21-17.
In the Southern section of the draw, Hartlepool’s Marc Squirrell defeated clubmate Peter Robson 21-5 and will face another after Glenn Skipp’s 21-3 win over Thornaby’s Joseph Dadd.
An all-Ferryhill clash saw Ken Gill defeat Neil Tallentire 21-5 while Redcar’s Tom Entwhistle ended the other Thornaby entry, Vince Thwaites, 21-11. In the Pairs Southern section, Darlington’s Tony Macey beat Aycliffe’s Barry Attwood 16-15.
There was a comfortable win in the Triples for Durham’s Gary Smith, 25-5 over clubmate Brian Brown, and Smith will face either Stanley’s Brett Arkley or West Denton’s Cecil Swick next.
Durham’s Mark Higgins set up an all-Durham affair against Michael Laydon in the Mixed Pairs after Higgins won 23-7 at the Parks against Pat Browne.
Hartlepool’s Paul Hartley had a tremendous run in several competitions last season, reaching Melton Mowbray in three competitions, and is up and running again after a hard-fought 1711 win in the Mixed Pairs at Aycliffe over Barry Attwood.
In sadder news, Grindon Mill’s 86-year stay at their Grindon Lane home came to an abrupt end this week following a dispute with the landowner, though it is hoped an alternate venue for the club and its members can be found.
Bowls Durham will hold its AGM on Tuesday, November 13 at Houghton Dairy Lane (7pm), and clubs are reminded that entry fees for the 2019 county competitions must reach the county treasurer by October 31. Entrants must be a paid member of the club before September 30 this year.
The Sunderland & District AGM will take place on Saturday, November 24 (2pm) in the Roker Park pavilion. Anyone still needing the minutes and any notice of motions are asked to contact Jim Huntingdon.