30 Sep CHRIS SYKES WINS LOWER DIVISIONS TROPHY

SLAITHWAITE bowler Chris Sykes won the https://www.print-pod.com/ Lower Division Trophy with a comprehensive display in heavy rain at Ravensknowle Park. Chris had previously won in 2019 when he defeated Farnley Tyas player Geoff Sykes at Outlane,

Unfortunately a number of bowlers had to pull out of the competition during the run-up to the finals and that trend continued on finals day. With Lockwood Con bowler Graham Stocks having to withdraw at the last minute his opponent, over-70s Pairs winner Mick Wenzel, was handed a bye in the quarter-finals. His pairs partner, Derek Frost, was drawn against Stephen Morgan of Marsh Lib and he gave Frost, who plays for David Brown Sports, a run for his money before going down 21-17.

That meant that Wenzel and Frost were thrown together in the last four with Wenzel taking the honours 21-13. In the other half of the draw eventual winner Sykes was drawn against Michael Ward of Lindley Lib, Sykes winning 21-17 in another tight contest.

Marsh Lib were represented by James Turney who out-fought Kevin McCluskey from Huddersfield Rec, the Marsh bowler winning 21-7. Sykes overcame Turney 21-10 in the semi-final to face Wenzel in the final.

With heavy rain falling on to a Ravensknowle Park green that had been subjected to some vandalism in the days prior to the finals the bowlers headed into the pavilion for some well-deserved refreshments, including the home-made cakes that were well-received by bowlers and spectators alike.

Wenzel was off to a flyer in the final winning the first two ends to lead 7-4 after both bowlers started with a +4 handicap. However, Sykes found his line and length to win the next seven ends as he raced into a 15-7 lead. Wenzel did pick up another five points but it was Sykes who edged home to take the title for a second time.

Report and photos from Paul English.