Farquhar to face Smith in area singles semi-finals

There has been plenty of action in the local stages of the national bowls competitions.

In the singles, an allShields affair saw Gary Farquhar overpower Shaun McIntosh 21-4 to set up an area semi-final against Durham’s Gary Smith.

The other tie will see Stanley’s Brett Arkley face Hartlepool’s Matty Ray.

The latter beat clubmate Colin Boston 21-10.

In the pairs, there was more good news for Arkley after a 15-14 win over Shields’ Ian and Shaun McIntosh, which sets up a semi-final clash with Durham’s Jimmy Hutchinson.

The other semi will see Shields’ Mal Peach host Hartlepool’s Marc Squirrell.

Arkley is still running in the triples and will face South Shields’ Jaxon McKenna, who ended West Denton’s Daniel Bennett’s run by winning 2012.

The other tie will see another Shields hope in Phil Dixon at home to Hartlepool’s Carl Higgins.

Houghton’s Frankie Froud’s hopes in the fours were dashed as he was beaten 21-7 at home by Durham’s Gary Smith.

In the area semi-final, Smith will host Hartlepool’s Paul Mosley, who ended clubmate Dale Oram’s hopes, also by a 21-7 scoreline.

The other tie will feature Gateshead’s Malcolm Johnston against Shields’ Josh Minto.

The latter won a thriller against club mate Gary Farquhar, 19-18.

In the Over-60s singles, Shields’ Dave Paterson secured top of the draw with a cracking 21-16 win over Stanley’s John Thurlbeck.

Paterson will face clubmate Alan Lawton next.

Durham’s Steve Krimpen ended Shields’ Billy Ferry’s Over-60s pairs hopes 19-7 to set up an all-Durham clash with Jimmy Hutchinson.

In the Over-55s triples, Houghton’s Jimmy McAdoo went out losing 18-6 at West Denton to Dave Morrison.

*The 2020 World Indoor Bowls Championships are about to enter their final week, with coverage broadcast live on the BBC from Monday across both channels, iPlayer and the BBC website.

For broadcasting details visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/ sport/bowls/50928239.