31 Aug Libs overcome Cons with breath-taking fightback

IT looked all over a victory for Division 5 side Netherton Con B at the halfway stage of the Subsidiary Team Knockout Final at Broad Oak.

They went into the final with a 23-point start on the handicap over Division Three rivals Lindley Lib B, a start that some shrewd judges thought too much for their rivals to claw back. It certainly looked that way in the early stages as three groups of pairs got the contest underway.

Netherton’s Norman Priestley and Malcolm Bray were first back into the clubhouse with a 21-12 success over Richard Kaye and Chris Rushworth. Rival skippers Geoff Dyson, with partner Steve Palmer (Netherton) and David Hill with partner Chris Doran (Lindley) went head-to-head in a contest that Hill and Doran edged 21-17. Gary Moorhouse and Michael Ward from Lindley finished 21-14 winners against Ray Beardsell and Phil Jefferson from Netherton, those results leaving Netherton with a 21-point advantage as tea and biscuits were taken.

After the break it didn’t take long for the scoreboards to show that the Division Three side were well in contention, Steve Mosley having the better of Len Hayden to record a 21-4 success and he was soon followed back to the clubhouse by Steve Sykes, who led 20-3 at one stage, eventually getting that final point to win 21-17.

Those two victories had turned the final around and although Ray Clayton claimed a 21-19 victory for Netherton over Paul Cooney the trophy was already heading to Lindley Lib who rounded off the afternoon’s entertainment with Adrian Baldwin defeating Julian Pickard 21-12.

Our thanks go to Broad Oak Bowling Club our sponsor and hosts of this final, and to their members for the much appreciated help and support on the day. And, last but not least, a big thank you to our match umpire Glynis Philbin under whose watchful eye this rather close and exciting Subsidiary Team Knockout Final took place.