Hunmanby’s Billy Holdsworth sees off Alan Landers in East Coast Association Merit final at Eastfield
On Sunday Eastfield hosted the East Coast’s Crown Green Association Merit.
This competition is limited to players from the nine local clubs and in the event 57 bowlers played after some late dropouts, writes David Muir.
In view of the entry six jacks were used for the early rounds and all games were played with four on the card. Even with this the competition did not finish until almost 6pm.
The first round saw a number of very close games with Peter van de Gevel (Hunmanby) beating Josh Emmerson (Whitby) 21-20.
This was also the score when Tony Bland (Borough) beat Joyce Harland (Whitby) and when David Muir (Eastfield) pulled off an unexpected win over Sue Emmerson (Whitby).
There were also several 21-19 wins. In the second round there were three more 21-20 games with Katie Gates (Dukes Park) beating Adam Chilvers (North Cliff), Ian Richardson ending his North Cliff clubmate Alan Lee’s hopes and Scott Wardman (also North Cliff) getting the better of Muir.
There was yet another 21-20 in the third round, the last but one of the day, with Billy Holdsworth (Hunmanby) taking the honours against Emmo Emmerson (Whitby).
In the quarter finals Holdsworth then had a convincing 21-8 win over Simon Walker (Borough) to set up a semi-final against Jo Gates (Borough) who went through 21-16 against Geoff Watson (Whitby).
In the bottom half of the draw Richardson beat Gary Thornton (Eastfield) 21-14 while his clubmate Alan landers ended Whitby’s hopes by beating Peter Harvey 21-10.
Both semis were close.
In the first Holdsworth pulling back from 14-18 down to beat Gates 21-18. The Landers-Richardson game was very tight, there never being more than four between the players. Richardson led 20-18 before Landers ran out 21-20.
The final was tied at 11-11 after nine ends. Holdsworth then pulled away to lead 19-12 after 16 ends.
As is often the case getting over the winning line proved to be a little bit difficult as Landers pulled back to 19-16 only for Holdsworth to finally get the two he needed to win in the 20th end.
The trophy and prizes were presented by Association President Ed McCormack (North Cliff).