Bowler Rick Gallagher has been having a good time of late and reached the area final of the Senior Singles when beating Peter Miles 21-10.

On Monday, he played the inter-area final where he met Alan Lawton of South Shields.

Lawton is no stranger to Carlisle bowlers as he regularly appears in PBA events at Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club and usually gives a good account.

On this occasion, however, at Penrith Gallagher was in the driving seat almost throughout and he eventually went through 21-13.

The deciding factor was that Lawton managed to score two shots on just three occasions while Gallagher picked up a four and two threes in his total.

Gallagher was also involved in the semi-final of the singles where he met Stuart Irwin. Irwin has progressed well in singles this season but on this occasion it was Gallagher who came out on top.

The game was close for much of the way but as in his previous game Gallagher conceded just one full house and two twos while picking up four threes, one of which came on the last end, and proved to be the deciding factor in his 21-17 victory.

Another RG has also had a good week. Rae Graham met Tom Kelton in the triples and though Graeme Robson, Martin Donaldson and Kelton put up a good fight five shots in consecutive ends were enough to give Eddie Murray, David Linton and Rae Graham a 16-11 win.

It was a simlar story in the fours where Murray, Linton, Wills and Graham played John Bryden, Tom Kelton, Graeme Robson and Martin Donaldson.

The game was close until nine shots in just five ends saw Graham go 13-4 in front and a further six shots in the last three ends saw them get home 22-8.

Today there are two nationals being played at Penrith. At 12.00 the Ladies Senior pairs inter-area final takes place when Cindy Edmondson will meet Pam Browne and, this evening at 6.30, Linda Rose plays Janice Gower in the area final of the Ladies Singles.

Tomorrow the Mason Trophy sees Cumbria IBC matched against Redcar IBC and the home leg is at Penrith.

The game starts at noon and the Cumbria side is shown below.

Further away from home John Baird was representing Eden IBC in the finals of the Champion of Champions. Baird played Duncan Hanmore of Angel IBC and scored an excellent 21-17 over the former international.

In the quarter-final Baird had the misfortune to come up against Greg Harlow and put up a great fight before losing 21-14.

On Saturday both pairs semi-finals are being played at Penrith on saturday morning commencing at 10.00am.

Rick Gallagher and Mark Nanson will play Stuart Beg and Eddie Murray while David Linton and Rae Graham meet Kevin Harrison and Stuart Irwin.

On Sunday, the inter-area final of the senior triples takes place at Penrith when Ron McMath meets Brett Arkley at noon.

Denny Cup:  Just two weeks on Saturday and Cumbria IBC will be making the trip across to Darlington for the quarter final of the Denny Cup against Nottingham.

As Cumbria are the current holders of the Denny Cup they would in normal circumstances be strong favourites for this game but this has not been a normal season.

The loss of the home green in Carlisle for the last wo games has set the team quite a task.

Lack of practice and loss of home advantage put the team at a distinct disadvantage but the side has responded in very positive fashion to beat South Shields and Hartlepool to earn a place in the last eight.

Nottingham will be no pushover, they were beaten in the final in 2011 by City of Ely and reached the quarter-final in 2012.

In recent seasons they have failed to get beyond the fifth round but their results to date this season suggest that they are an improved squad and the come into this game having averaged plus 44 shots in their previous four games.

Cumbria, however, are no slouches and have the experience for the big occasion, they can do it and I fully expect to be making the trip to Bristol in April.

Team manager Stuart Airey realises how much of a disadvantage the side faces and is therefore organising some competitive practice at Penrith on Sunday week 10am – 2pm.

It will not be just a roll up and plans are being made to ensure that it will be truly competitive. It is envisaged that each four will play three seven end games.

For anyone wishing to travel to Darlington to see the quarter final there will be a coach available for a limited number of spectators.

If you wish to travel on the coach do not delay as half of the seats have already been booked. Contact the club to book your seat.

Cumbria IBC:  Regret still no positive news on when and where the club will reopen but pleased to report that progress has been made this week and two new schemes for improvements on the present site will soon be under investigation.

More news as and when it becomes available.

Mason Trophy - Cumbria v Redcar, Friday at noon

Cumbria Home: S.Devlin, J Clifford, S Kirkpatrick, C Edmondson

Cumbria Away: J Wilson, M Docherty, C Wharton, E Gass

Denny Cup - Cumbria v Nottingham at Darlington Saturday, February 20 at 11.30am

P Barlow,J Wills, M Nanson, I Gallagher

K Harrison, G Vipond, B Sherwen, S Airey

D Linton, R Chandler, R Graham, G Taylor

E Murray, J Baird, S Irwin, S Farish

Reserves: J Walker, R Gall