Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club in Carlisle remains closed just over seven weeks since the devastating December floods but its players have ensured that it remains in the bowling headlines.

The club, which is well supported by bowlers from north of the border, is the current national champions after winning the Denny Cup at Darlington in April last year.

And despite the problems caused by the lack of a home green remains on course to take the title for a record ninth time.

On Saturday the side which included Ray Gall of Moffat, Rae Graham and David Linton of Lockerbie, as well as Eddie Murray of Annan, fought back tenaciously to beat a strong Hartlepool side by ten shots after being fourteen shots adrift with only a third of the game left.

For the quarter final against Nottingham team manager Stuart Airey has made two changes. Ray Gall reverts to the reserve slot along with Jack Walker and Kevin Harrison and Stuart Irwin come back into the side.

Airey has asked that all players try to get in as much practice as possible in the next few weeks and he may hold a full practice session on Saturday February 13th at Penrith.

The quarter final will take place at Darlington on Saturday February 20th commencing at 11.30am and it is hoped that a coach can be arranged.

In the national competitions Rae Graham is having a good run and he and David Linton have reached the area pairs semi-final where they will play Stuart Irwin.

In the other half of the draw Stuart Begg and Eddie Murray meet Mark Nanson in their semi-final. Graham is also in the semi-final of the triples where he is partnered by Eddie Murray and David Linton and meets Graeame Robson for a place in the regional finals.

Graham is also in the fours semi-final and in this round he will meet John Bryden of Gretna.

In the senior pairs Ray Gall who is partnered by John Wills had an easy win against Jack Walker and is now through to the inter area final.