01 Sep Can Elland WMC do the double?

ONE of the topics overheard being discussed by Elland WMC bowlers after defeating Lindley Lib A in the Bistro at Brockholes was “let’s go on and do the double”.

It would be a brave man who made any bet against the current Division 2 leaders on this showing. They already hold a 12-point advantage over nearest rivals Elland C&BC with just four league matches remaining.

On a day of sunshine and heavy showers they went into the Bistro Final with a ten-point handicap advantage over their division one opponents from the Lindley Lib club. That looked likely to be soon extended out of sight as Mick Hiscock and John Sharp raced into a 20-5 lead over the Lindley pair Martin Skuse and Geoff Jaskolski. Another point at that stage and a lead of 26 after one tie would have taken some pulling back. However, Skuse and Jaskolski had other ideas, winning five consecutive ends saw them cut Elland’s lead to just two and then Lindley were in a match-winning situation until Sharp’s final bowl of the 20th end edged the Elland pair home 21-18.

Rob Taylor and Steve Mosley (Lindley Lib A) and Philip Binns and John Armitage (Elland WMC) were on the green at the same time with the former taking that tie 21-15 and from a position of no return the Lindley team had turned the table and cut the deficit to seven points.

After the break Ian Archibald and Melvyn Dunne were successful for Elland 21-14 against Alan Wortley and Michael Thornton and although Peter Fuller and Martin Holt claimed Lindley’s second win with a 21-20 success over Clive Harte and Viv Smith the Bistro trophy was destined for the WMC.

Alan Broad and Nick Lowe eventually overcame Paul Cooney and Peter Smith in an entertaining tie that finished 21-19 in favour of the Elland pair and concluded the afternoon’s entertainment.

That left the Elland contingent afterwards discussing league matters and on this showing they look very likely to be participating in the top division next year.

A big thank-you to all at Brockholes Bowling Club for again providing their facilities and valuable support for this final. Further thanks to our match referee Mr Ray Tunnacliffe and a call out to all those that came to spectate despite the weather forecast – not even the heavy showers were getting in the way of a thoroughly entertaining afternoon of bowling.