Walker trios do battle in charity final

LADIES BOWLS

THERE was an all-Walker final in the Northern Women’s Bowling Association’s Percy Hedley Two-Bowl Triples competition.

Sylvia Lewars, Irene Brown and Maidie Keen got the better of Ann Garrett, Pat O’Connor and Anne Short 14-6.

It was the second of the Association’s summer of charity events with all rounds played to 12 ends.

Garrett, O’Connor and Short challenged Janet Gray, Kay Cromarty and Celia Connelly (Ravensworth A) in a semi-final which produced a very close result.

The Walker trio was well in command to lead by 10-4 (after nine ends) until a real shot in the arm of five shots on the next end brought Connelly’s team back into contention.

A single shot to each team over the last two ends then put Short’s trio into the final 11-10.

Janet Diball (Ryton), Ann Stobbart and Carole Bates (both Dunston) faced Lewars, Brown and Keen in the other semi-final, Keen’s team scoring more consistently.

Bates’ players struggled to hang on to shots but then staged a slight comeback to close the gap to three shots (12-9).

However, it was not to be as Keen and company earned their finals place with a 13-9 result.

The all-Walker final produced a predictable outcome.

Although Short’s trio was ahead by 5-3 at the halfway stage, a welcome boost of five shots on the next end put Keen’s team into the lead 8-3.

Their far greater experience then kept them in the driving seat and they pressed on to win by 14-6 with an end unplayed.

Credit was due to their opponents, though, for a plucky challenge.

Proceeds from the day went to the Percy Hedley Centre in Forest Hall.