Ian holds his nerve to record derby win for Leek at Cheadle

THE temperature rose on and off the green as Leek Park’s Thursday Bowls team defeated runaway league leaders, Cheadle at Brough Park in the most dramatic fashion possible.

This game threatened to be the stiffest challenge yet for the Leek squad and expectations were high for a tight encounter.

Arthur Hadfield got Leek off to a great start when, after a close start at 10-11, he romped home for a 2114 win.

Harvey Lomas likewise took his time before forging ahead from 7-8 to win comfortably 21-13. Nigel Heath, replacing the injured Ray Smith, battled solidly for a good 15-21 scoreline.

Tony Birks concluded the first half of the match, exchanging the lead with his opponent throughout before emerging with a 21-17 victory.

Basil Bowcock got off to an unusually slow start, trailing 3-10 before taking his usual command to dominate his opponent and emerge triumphant at 21-15.

Bob Green, returning after an arm injury found the going tough but showed great determination to record a vital nine points, 9-21.

Alan Barr struggled on the day but, like Bob, played determinedly for 9-21

The last player on the green was Ian Cantril. At this stage, the team scores were Leek 117, Cheadle 122. Leek needed Ian to win by six points to beat their rivals.

The tension increased for team players and spectators as the game progressed. Ian, having recovered from an early deficit of 4-11, advanced to four points clear at 18-14.

The final ends were played in a febrile atmosphere and finally Ian emerged triumphant at 21-15, six points clear and the match had been won by one point.

Final score: Leek 138 Cheadle 137.

The previous week, Leek Park returned to action with a stunning away victory at Florence Colliery.

On a benign green, but a green with a sandy crown and sloping corners, the team got off to a challenging start. Nigel Heath, in for the injured Ray Smith, had an ongoing battle with his opponent. Except for five ends, Nigel kept just ahead to finish with a hard fought 21-19 win.

Harvey Lomas finished strongly to move from 7-6 to record a good 21-14 victory.

Basil Bowcock started strongly and raced into a lead, 11-6, and finished with a valuable 15-21 scoreline.

Tony Birks, Ian Cantril and Arthur Hadfield struggled in the early stages to come to terms with and to accommodate the green.

However, they all recovered well in the later stages of their matches. Tony fought back from 3-13 to finish strongly, scoring 1521. Arthur recovered from 4-10 to finish really well with a score of 21-15. Ian found himself 2-14 down before he came to terms with the green and went on to record an astounding 21-15 win, truly ‘the comeback kid’ on the day.

Bev Garner, a last moment substitute for the injured

Bob Green, played well throughout and raced away to a magnificent 21-9 win.

Alan Barr dominated his game from the early stages and recorded a superb 2111 win.

This was a great team effort and a thoroughly deserved victory, the highest away win for the Thursday team.

Final score: Leek Park 156, Florence Colliery 125.