GRAHAM HIRST RETAINS ROSEBOWL

LOWERHOUSE bowler Graham Hirst retained the P & J Muff Rosebowl with a dominant display in the 2024 final against Garry Senior of Kirkheaton Con at Netherton Con.

Hirst had won the Rosebowl in 2023 with a narrow success in last year’s final over Ray Whitwam and although he always had the upper hand in the final he was made to fight all the way in the afternoon sunshine at Netherton.

Tony Butterfield, a teammate of Senior’s at Kirkheaton Con, was the quarter-final opponent for Hirst who dominated the early exchanges to lead 15-6, but once Butterfield got the feel for the green he won seven consecutive ends to lead 17-15. It was nip and tuck from thereon in with Hirst eventually prevailing 21-19.

That led to a semi-final against Andrew Wike from Longwood. In a game that was close early on Wike took command to lead 15-9 but then lost six consecutive ends as Hirst edged his way back into contention in a game that saw the scores level at 19-all and again two ends later at all-but across. Wike had looked all over the winner before Hirst’s final wood secured the point. A last-end shoot out was an absorbing finish to probably the match of the day with Hirst getting the all-important point – but both bowlers getting a well-deserved round of applause as they left the green.

Netherton Con put on a superb selection of cakes to go with the teas and coffees and after a short break the Final commenced with Hirst quickly into his stride. Three consecutive doubles gave the Lowerhouses bowler an advantage that he never relinquished as he won 15 of the 20 ends.

Earlier in the afternoon Senior had comfortably defeated Russell Auty 21-8 in the opening quarter-final and then overcame the challenge of Marsh United’s Andy Carter in a titanic semi-final struggle. Their game lasted 26 ends with Carter hanging in after Senior had opened-up a six-point advantage – an advantage that was to prove to be the difference between the two bowlers as Senior held on for a 21-15 success.

Carter had reached the semi-final stage following a 21-16 success over Paul Hartley from Waterloo, whilst Wike accounted for Dennis Lomax 21-14 in the other quarter-final.

After the conclusion of the afternoon’s bowling Hirst was presented with the P & J Muff Rosebowl and the winner’s cheque by Paul Rangeley who had kindly sponsored the event.

Photo and report by Paul English