Bowlers end season with a close defeat away at Kingsley
THE Outdoor bowling season ended for Leek Bowling Club on Saturday when Leek Team 1 went to Kingsley to attempt a big win against the team most likely to become champions of the Uttoxeter League Division One and improbably finish runnersup.
Although they had a good go, the match ended with a win for Kingsley by 218 to 191. Of the four doubles games played to start the match three were won by Leek giving a points difference of 73-60 and a ray of hope, but six of the eight singles went the way of Kingsley and deservedly they became champions of the Uttoxeter League. Leek 1 finished third in the Division behind Mayfield.
Leek 2 were also away at the team finishing bottom of Division One, Ashbourne B and recorded a big win 241142 , winning three doubles and seven singles.
The captain of Leek 2 Julie Watson thanked her team for an excellent performance on a lovely sunny afternoon and thanked the Ashbourne B team for their hospitality and superb refreshments. It has been an interesting season for both teams with Team 1 having a more settled team and Team 2 at times struggling to field their best team though when they did they proved a challenge for those teams aspiring to win the league. Leek Bowling Club played in five leagues and fielded eleven teams, two in the Stokeontrent League where the A Team finished half way in Division Three and the B Team in Division Six were just below half way.
In the Congleton Evening League the A and B Teams play in Division B where they finished in third and fourth places respectively. In the Congleton Veterans League the A and B Teams play in Division A where the A Team finished in fifth position, while the B Team finished one place above the drop. The club has one team in the Staffordshire Ladies League Division Two where they finished fourth and the two teams in the Uttoxeter League Division One.
Now to the Staffordshire Short Mat Bowling League for indoor bowling where Leek have entered three teams in Divisions One, Two and Three.
■ LEEK Park Bowling Club had Bob Green in tip form as the club recorded its biggest win of the season against Audley BC.
In the final, crucial match of the season with league positions depending on the result, Green got Leek Park off to a flying start. On a dry but bumpy Brough Park green, he got off to a flyer, winning his game 21-7. Lynn Hadfield continued her good rise in form with a fighting victory 21-20 in a hard fought game. The Leek Park team continued their determined play and enjoyed further victories from Basil Bowcock, Nigel Heath, Tony Birks, Arthur Hadfield, Kevin Walker and Alan Barr.
Supported by good solid performances from Harvey Lomas, 15 and Ian Cantril, 16 this completed the scoring for Leek Park’s biggest win of the season of 199-130.
This victory shows great promise for next year, with newcomers to the team adding strength in depth to the Leek Park Thursday squad.
Leek Park Thursday team finished their first season after promotion in good shape.