Durham bowler Smith defeats Johnston to reach the latter stages

There has been plenty of action in the local stages of the national competitions.

Inthefoursareafinal,Durham’s Gary Smith became the first qualifier for the latter stages after beating Gateshead’s Malcolm Johnston 1710.

In the over-60s pairs, South Shie ld’s Dave Paterson lost 17-8 at home to Stanley’s Ian Peacock 17-8, who now heads to Durham to face

Jimmy Hutchinson in the area semi-finals.

The area final of the over-55 triples will see Gateshead’s Brian Orrell take on Hartlepool’s Dale Oram at Durham on Wednesday.

Orrell defeated West Denton’s Dave Morrison 21-13 in his semi-final match while Oram came out on top following an all-Hartlepool clash against John Wells 21-7 in the other last-four tie.

In the women’s pairs, South Shields’ Ann Upsall enjoyed a cracking 18-10 triumph at West Denton against Karen Weites.

Upsall will face Hartlepool’s Janet Ridpath in the area final.

Former over-60s double fours national champions Stanley eased past Darlington B 36-13. That convincing win sets up a meeting with Louth in the last eight.

The latter stages of the mixed pairs and mixed fours take place at Hartlepool this month.

Former title winners Lauren and Paul Mosley, representing the host club, carry the region’s hopes in the mixed pairs.

In the first round they face Egham’s Barry Jenkins.

There is more Hartlepool interest in the mixed fours and Carl Higgins will face either Norfolk’s Jake Leslie or Blackpool Newton Hall’s former World Singles champion Mark Dawes.

The mixed fours competition runs between February 20 and 22, followed by the mixed pairs from February 22 to 24.

Entry is free at the Hartlepool club for all spectators.

Disability Bowls England make the visit to Stanl ey next weekend when they go head to head with the hosts in an eight-rink triples exhibi tion match.

Former Sunderland player Stevie Angus, now plying his trade out of Stanley, will feature in the DBE squad, on the back of losing the final of the DBE National Pairs.

Angus was playing alongside Wellingborough’s Chris Grey at Rugby.

All spectators are welcome a nd entry is free.