08 Jul BOB BOOTH LIFTS LOWER DIVISIONS TROPHY

The 2026 staging of the Lower Divisions Trophy on 2 July at Longwood Bowling Club threw up a couple of intriguing contests between club team mates and a first Lindley Lib bowler to lift the trophy in it’s near 20 years history.

The first club duel in the quarter-finals was between Arran Stott and Alan Starkey both of Meltham which Arran won 21-14. The second club duel came at the semi-final stage where Bob Booth had another 21-14 victory against his Lindley Lib club mate Mick Ward. Bob had a bye in the quarter-final so was given 15 minutes practice before facing Mick.

Mick Ward won his quarter-final match against Huddersfield Recreations Kevin McCluskey. Derek Frost of David Brown Tractors won the other quarter-final 21-18 against Steve Mitchell to complete the other semi-final against Aaron which Aaron won 21-15. The final between Aaron and Bob was evenly balanced until Bob had a run to come home the 21-13 victor.

All the games were refereed by Ray Tunnacliffe and were played on a superb surface prepared by Bob Dickinson for Longwood who were very generous sponsors of the event. The sponsorship helped to boost the total prize fund to £300 which the association hope will encourage players in the lower echelons of our league to enter more of the individual and pairs competitions such as the upcoming P & J Muff Rosebowl.