Leeds ace Wilcox retains Gambart Baines Cup
Bowlers from all over Yorkshire played at Scarborough’s prestigious annual Gambart Baines Crown Green Bowling Tournament on August Bank Holiday Monday.
First played for in 1919, when it was won by Cleckheaton’s Zena Smith, the competition is still held at North Cliff ’s Alexandra Gardens.
Over 100 bowlers took part, including 14 entries into the “Junior Gambart”, a competition sponsored by Wendy Crowther of Huddersfield for players under 17.
The junior cup is named the Roger Crowther Trophy in memory of her late husband, a past winner and a great supporter of the event.
Five previous winners of the Gambart Baines Trophy had hopes of lifting the magnificent cup once again but only Ira Jeffers and James Wilcox, both from Leeds, managed to reach the quarter-finals.
Wilcox survived two early scares including a 21-20 win in the first round over Malcolm Gilbert. He then progressed to the quarters, comfortably beating Kenny Wale of Whitby, the last remaining local hope.
In the other quarters Richard Jackson edged out Chris Ellis 21-18 and Josh Thomas beat Joe Cranston 21-13. Wilcox and Jeffers set up a semifinal clash of the two previous winners by beating Ash Tattersley and Josh Mordue respectively by the same 21-14 scoreline.
It was Wilcox who took his place in the final, beating Jeffers 21-10.
The other semi was a nailbiter with Richard Jackson of Thongsbridge beating Josh Thomas 21-20 thanks to a huge slice of luck at the final end.
Katie Morgan was the pick of the lady players winning two games before losing narrowly to Wilcox in the third round.
Wilcox, who plays for the Crossgates club in Leeds, was always in control of the final and ran out a 21-12 winner to retain the coveted cup and claim the £600 first prize.
The junior competition once again proved very popular with both the players and supporters.
Unfortunately local hopes were soon extinguished as Lucas Cooper (North Cliff ), last year’s winner, lost 21-15 to Jake Morgan in a repeat of last year’s final. Callum Malone, North Cliff, crashed out 21-8 at the hands of Harry Chadwick in the first round.
Morgan progressed to the semis but just lost 21-19 to eight-year-old Seb Mordue whose father and older brother were in the main competition.
The other semi-final saw Harley Tattersley beat Jude Goodall 21-12. In a keenly contested final, the 15-year old-Tattersley from Huddersfield took the cup and £60 first prize, overcoming his opponent 21-14 despite a battling performance by young Seb from Bradford.
The competition organisers would like to express their appreciation to all who helped on the day as well as the two sponsors, Landers’ Butchers of Whitby and Wendy Crowther of Huddersfield.
The Mayor of Scarborough, Councillor Eric Broadbent, once again presented the cups and prizes to the worthy winners and the Gambart Baines committee would like to thank him for his continued support of the annual competition.