Bowl-ed over to be national champions
SKEGNESS proved ever so bracing for a group of Northumberland bowlers as they enjoyed sporting success at the seaside, writes TONY HODGSON.
The team, from New Delaval and Newsham Bowls Club, clinched the Durham Centenary Trophy at the English Bowling Federation’s National Championships.
Winners of the knockout competition’s northern section, they defeated southern area winners Parkway from Northamptonshire 83-76.
It is the first time the club - whose squad includes county and national champions - has lifted the prestigious trophy.
Team member Stephen Robson said: “Winning this trophy is something we have always wanted to do but until now have never managed to achieve.
“We were always confident we could do well, even though Parkway had lot of good players.
“Ours is a young squad, which is quite unusual in bowls, but contains players with county and national titles.” On the final itself, Robson added: “It was a close contest. We took an early lead but Parkway fought back well to stay within touching distance
“In the end we managed to get over the line.
“It was very pleasing performance and to win the trophy for the first time is a very special feeling.”
The club has overcome a decline in membership over the years to qualify for the national team final.
During the 1980s and 1990s it produced many respected bowlers but saw its membership suffer until a recent surge in numbers.
The club now has a healthy membership whose average age is probably one of the youngest in the country.