Bowlers finally beginning defence of 2019 league title
This will be an emotional weekend for local bowlers as competitive league action gets under way with the Storey Bowl kicking off the game’s 2021 season.
It was 631 days ago that Seaham Town clinched the 2019 league title, and today they finally get to begin their defence of that prize at home to Roker Park.
Last season’s runnersup, Hetton Workmen’s, will be looking to get off to a flier against a New Herrington outfit that will be making their Storey debut.
The remaining game will see Thompson Park host Hylton Colliery Welfare, with Houghton Town on the bye.
There’s been more good news for the sport following Bowls England's latest update on the return to play. With local leagues looking to get up and running again, the government's ban on carsharing was a major concern for clubs. However, following the government’s latest round of changes to its restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus, that ban will be lifted on Monday.
The number of people allowed at organised events has also been increased to 48 on the green, although nonorganised events are still limited to 30, and spectators are also allowed in.
Clubs still need to comply with social distancing guidelines and maintain strict hand hygiene and sanitisation.
Clubs are also still required to maintain a daily log including contact details of all players competing for 21 days.
The next milestone in the lifting of the latest covid-19 lockdown will arrive no earlier than Monday, June 21, and it’s possible that all restrictions could be lifted then.
In our final preview of the coming season, it is time to concentrate on team competitions.
At county level, the men’s Middleton Cup squad will face Lancashire at York Railway in July. With the format this season reverting to a straight knockout, both counties will fancy their
chances of progressing to the next round. The last time they met in the group stages, Lancashire won a thriller at Heaton Park by a single shot.
In the women’s John’s Trophy, Durham have a tough draw as they face a strong Lincolnshire squad. The last time the two teams met saw Lincolnshire ease to a 39-shot win, so even with the tie being played on a neutral green at Copmanthorpe, the Durham squad will need to be at their best to spring a surprise.
The men’s Balcombe Trophy and women’s Walker Cup double fours have seen Durham in years gone by enjoy a couple of national successes. In the Balcombe the men will attempt to qualify for the regional finals day as they host Yorkshire at Houghton Dairy Lane. The same venue will see the women tackle Northumberland.
Alarm bells might well be ringing at under-25 level within the county as neither men nor women will feature in their respective competitions. The men’s white rose squad were drawn against Lancashire, but that tie is in doubt due to a lack of eligible Durham players, and the women didn’t enter the Amy Rose again due to numbers.
At local level, three clubs have entered the Bowls England double fours.
Silksworth Pumas host Hundens, Houghton Dairy Lane have a trip to Darlington South Park to look forward to and Roker Marine will host a strong Darlington RA outfit next Friday.
In the top club, the Pumas have been drawn away to Pelton Fell, and Dairy Lane also travel, this time to Dipton Park.
The only local entry in the Tony Allcock over-60s mixed double fours are Dairy Lane. They have home advantage against Hunden's, with the winner to face Driffield or York Railway in the area final.
Having completed backto-back Sunderland and District 3-2-1 knockout triples titles, Silksworth Pumas will
start their campaign away to Whitburn, with the winner hosting Dairy Lane in the last eight.
Runners-up Seaham Town host Roker Marine, and Washington travel to North Biddick.
Usworth will have home advantage from the Thompson Park/Roker Park first round tie.
Bowls England’s Bowls’ Big Weekend will take place over the spring bank holiday from Friday, May 28, to Monday, May 31.
It is a national event offering clubs the opportunity to promote the sport and attract new members.
It is open to clubs affiliated to Bowls England and the
British Crown Green Bowling Association, and it’s being run alongside the Bowls Development Alliance and Disability Bowls England.
Clubs can still register their events and gain exclusive access to the guidance support and marketing resources available via the Bowls England website, www.bowlsengland. com
A spokesperson for the Warwickshire-based organisation said: “Taking place over the spring bank holiday of the 2021 season, Bowls’ Big Weekend is a national initiative offering clubs the opportunity to promote our welcoming and socially-distanced sport and attract new members.
“We know that 20% of new bowlers join our sport on the back of open weekends, that our clubs want support to help recruit new players and that there are plenty of people out there who would love to have a go at bowls.
“It takes place over a fourday period, allowing clubs to organiseactivitythatbestfits within their calendars and complies with return to play guidance.
“This a fantastic opportunity for us to get people back out on to the greens this summer and we hope as many clubs as possible will get involved.”