27 Jun HUDDERSFIELD GO TOP

Huddersfield took on Wakefield in the Round 4 match of the Inter-District League on Friday 23 June.

The first away team defeat of the season took place at Outwood WMC, report from Alan Sharpe, the away team manager. Just one man for them and one for us were the only ones to get a grip of the green. For them G. Foulkes and D. Senior for us winning 21-8 and 21 -10 respectively. Overall it was poor showing as most of our players couldn’t pick up the pace of the green. Our 3 winners G. Senior 21 -10, E. Haigh 21 – 15 and P Hopkinson 21 – 18. Our other bowlers were well down at the beginning  R. Stopford 17 – 21, J. Burnett losing 18 – 21, T. Butterfield  losing 16 – 21, M. Gilbert lost 8 -21, D. Pollard losing 20 -21. So we lost the game 16 – 12 .

The home team were playing at Marsh United for the first time this season and judging by the result it won’t be the last this season. Our report comes from David Armitage, the home team manager.

In the front four John Bloomer won comfortably at 15 ends was leading 11 – 10 then a run of 7 took him to 18 and he won to 11. Robert Dickinson struggled early doors and at one stage was 17-12 behind then a 7 break took him to 19 and he won to 19. Alan Bamforth was in front all the way and won to 13. He won a bottle of wine in the raffle and Dettori won two races for him at Ascot so he had a good day. Finally Stephen Haigh had a close game 16-14 down and a late run of 6 took him in front and he won to17.

In the back four big wins for Ray Whitwam (21-6) and Graham Sigsworth (21-8). Something you don’t often see in Graham’s game a dead end with 2 woods touching the jack. Andrew Wike raced in front 8-3 then his opponent overtook him 12-11 but he pulled back and won to 15. Eddie Haigh’s game was nip and tuck whoever won the jack kept it for a few ends, 15 across at one stage and a late run took him home 21-16 and to make his day he also won the breakfast in the raffle.

So another good result for Huddersfield with the home side winning 26-2 and the away side getting 12 points to take us to top of the league.

We are 12 points in front of our next opponents Leeds who are in joint 2nd place with Bradford. Four matches played and three tough ones to come – Leeds, Bradford and Halifax.

Thanks to Marsh United for hosting the game with particular thanks to Neil Hinchcliffe and the greenkeeper, not forgetting the referee Ray Tunnacliffe.

Photos show John Bloomer with his opponent Keith Exley and the referee Ray Tunnacliffe, Robert Dickinson, Alan Bamforth and Stephen Haigh with Eddie Haigh in background.