Silksworth keep themselves busy despite missing out on Earl Cup
Although many outdoor clubs decided to stay closed due to Covid-19 there were some that eventually opened up, Houghton Dairy Lane, Usworth, Ryhope, Pemberton, North Biddick and Thompson Park all saw some action.
At the home of the Sunderland & District the Roker Park club also opened with internal triples leagues played on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Saturday’s plus a district association friendly took place.
Last season after successfully defending the Earl Cup for a third year running the pandemic put the brakes on an attempt at a fourth defence for Silksworth, however during the enforced break off the green they have been busy.
In an attempt to raise the profile of the club they become the first bowls club in
Sunderland to undergo a rebrand and from next season will be known as the Silksworth Puma’s, the club will also be sponsored by Marathon Builders Ltd.
In 1980 Barley Mow’s Fred Wilson was the Sunderland & District president, Roker Marine’s dominance of the Earl Cup came to an end as Barnes Park ended Marine’s hopes of a fourth consecutive title.
H o w e v e r, H e r r i n g t o n Workmen’s top run in the Swan Cup continued as they racked up an astonishing 14th straight league success, P emberton landed their first Harold Howey veteran’s league title while Pennywell with the likes of the Bransby brothers, Andy Rocks and Eddie Howey lifted the Storey Bowl.
The 3-2-1 knock out triples went to Mowbray for a third time in four years.
The Silver Jack’s went to the Grindon Mill duo of Tony Pucci and one of the games character’s little Teddy Hall.
The Grindon duo went onto to complete a domestic double as alongside Jim Thompson (snr) at skip they won the Burkett Shield.
The champion of champion’s title went to Herrington Workmen’s Jacky Oliver, the win saw Oliver become only the fifth player to have won the title twice adding to his 1972 success.
The town tournament was still one of the big titles to get onto a bowlers CV and the 1980 title went to Mowbray’s Les Clennell who joined a select band of two time winners repeating his 1977 win.
As the Covid-19 hit outdoor season comes to an end all eyes turn to the indoor scene and what changes the local bowls scene will have to adapt to. The EIBA have just released issue 5 of their club guide lines, locally South Shield’s are back open.
At Houghton the indoor club are proposing to start their leagues on Monday September 14th at 10.30 am. The Sports Centre will however remain closed until then except for the following dates and times - Wednesday September 2 (9.30am to 1.00pm) and Thursday September 3 (9.30am to 1.00pm), these are for payment of club membership only and there is a strict t i m e d b o o k i n g s ys te m i n place.
Members wishing to book a slot must contact club secretary Margaret Nicholson on 01915812677.
Covid has taken another casualty as the seniors Midland league will not take place this season thus putting pay to Durham’s hopes of defending their league title.
There is however a chance to see a few of the area’s top p l aye r s a s H a r tl e p o o l a re hosting an Open Singles event tomorrow, they have a field of 64 with the action starting at 9am, spectators are welcome as the club have all the needed Covid restrictions in place.