Mackay feeling just Champion after clinching Four-Bowl honours

RYTON’S Jean Mackay was a deserved winner of the Northern Women’s Bowling Association’s Four-Bowl Champion of Champions competition.

In an exciting final she overcame previous winner Irene Brown (Walker) 21-18.

Early rounds were played to 18-up with 21-up in the final.

In the last eight, Judith Lange (Dunston) took on Mackay and the pair were evenly-matched at 15-15 but Mackay managed to grab three shots to take the tie 18-15.

Last year’s runner-up Jean Clift began well against Ravensworth A’s Rhoda Davidson to lead 7-1 - but Davidson fought her way back to 7-7.

The Readhead representative then upped the pace and only conceded four more shots before triumphing 18-11.

Muriel Warren (Ravensworth B) and Brown were awarded byes into the last four.

There, Mackay played Clift, with Mackay coming through 18-15.

Warren faced Brown and the pair were level-pegging at 10-10.

Brown then dug in to gain eight shots against two for Warren to earn her final place 18-12.

Brown’s greater experience was expected to hold sway in the final – but Mackay had other ideas.

She was able to stay with the Walker bowler at 7-7 and 9-9 and then drew ahead at 18-15 and 20-15.

A comeback looked to be on the cards for Brown when she garnered three shots on the next end - but the vital winning shot went Mackay’s way as she sealed victory by a threepoint margin.