Coates wins close final to claim Rose Bowl crown
Gareth Coates, of Akroydon Victoria, won the Halifax Association’s Roberts Rose Bowl Handicap, sponsored by Maurice Boyd and played at Allan Park last Sunday.
Coates produced a fine display to beat Ludendenfoot’s Ben Halliday in the final.
The signs were not good for Coates as he trailed 14-4 in his opening game against Peter O’Callaghan before seizing control with a break of eight to win 21-17.
In his second game, he enjoyed a 15-4 lead over Mark Regan but had to repel a late fight-back to prevail 21-17.
After a comfortable 21-9 quarter-final victory against Fred Rothwell he went on to reach the final with a 21-8 result in his semi-final against Glenn McCafferthy.
Similarly, Halliday’s first game was his closest and after trailing 15-4 to Lindon Harris, recovered to win 21-18.
A second round 21-11 win over Clive Austin and a 21-12 quarter-final success against Terry Jackson took him into a semi-final against Nick Oddy.
Oddy led 6-5 after the opening ends before Halliday took control and pulled away to lead 14-8. Oddy reduced the gap to a single point at 14-13 but Halliday regained control to win by 21-15.
In a closely contested final, Halliday was ahead for much of the game, taking advantage of a three point advantage in handicap to lead 10-6.
He was still ahead at 14-11 before Coates took the lead for the first time with a break of five.
Halliday responded to go ahead but Coates won the next three ends. A single by Halliday followed but Coates held on to claim the Roberts Rose Bowl by 21-19.