Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club was buzzing on Sunday when the second American fours tournament of the season took place.

Eighteen fours played from 10.00am to just after 4.00pm in the first-ever sponsored event by local accountants Dodd & Co.

The event was a great success with timings, provision of food, and good bowling all making it an enjoyable day for those who took part and those who came to watch.

Stuart Irwin’s four, which included Liberty players Kevin Harrison and Paul Wallace along with Ryan Prince, looked one of the stronger combinations taking part.

But after the first session was completed, they had to settle for second spot to the Daniel Pool quartet.

Back in third place was the strong Wigton four, skipped by Stephen Farish who was supported by John Bell, Andrew Baxter and Lewis Baxter.

It was good to see the much-travelled world president John Bell back on the green as well as Andrew Baxter who, in his hey day, gave so many great displays for club and county on the indoor stage.

After the second session, Stuart Irwin moved into the lead while the Wigton quartet moved into second followed by another Liberty sprinkled four of Eddie Murray, Stuart Begg, Graeme Vipond and Gavin Taylor.

Anthony Little’s Over-60 four flew the flag for the seniors in fourth spot.

There was little change after the third session with Irwin holding a three-point lead from Stephen Farish who was a point ahead of John McLaren, Alan Carruthers, David Taylor and Anthony Little.

They shared that spot with the Daniel Poole quartet Gordon Richardson, Lee McGarvie, Paul Campbell and Kevin Johnston moved up into fourth place with John Bryden in sixth.

In session four, Irwin could manage just four points but still retained top spot even though Pool, Little, Campbell and Bryden all made ground on the leaders with good wins.

In the final session, Mike Tuddenham made Irwin pull out all the stops but the leaders did just enough to take six points and ensure first place.

Little scored on five ends which saw him collect seven points to end up in second while David Kiltie, John Bryden, Stephen Green and Mark Nanson came with a late run, picking up all eight points to move into third spot.

Johnston and Farish finished just one point adrift in fourth and fifth with Pool relegated to sixth place after managing just one point from his final game.

Janice Veitch, representing Dodd & Co, presented the prizes and club manager Trevor Taylor thanked all those who had supported the event and hoped that the new sponsors would return next year.

Sunday Triples

There are just three games being played this Sunday in the inter-club double triples league but they all look likely to have a bearing on the final league title.

The main contenders for the title this year are Courtfield Cobras, Silloth Strollers, Eden Eagles, Wetheral Wasps and Courtfield Cougars.

Cobras and Strollers have played eight of their 10 fixtures, while Wasps have played seven and Eagles and Cougars just six each.

Most of these teams have still to play each other so there are some interesting games in prospect.

In the latest game played on Tuesday evening, there was a great battle between Strollers and Eagles and there was never much between thee two sides.

Alan Whitham, Sandra Parker and Peck Orchard led all the way to beat Peter Metcalfe 14-7 but, in the other game, it was Eagles who had the upperhand. Graeme Roberts, Tom Prescott and John Baird beating Paul Wallace 16-11 which saw Strollers take the two aggregate points 25-23.

That result means that Strollers now move on to 33 points, the same as Cobras, but Cobras have a better shot difference and retain top spot. The two points for Eagles takes them up in to third spot on 29 points.

This Sunday’s fixtures look really interesting. Top team Cobras meet Eagles, while current fourth-placed Meerkats will play Strollers. The other game sees Cougars doing battle with Cockerels.

Nationals

In the senior singles regional finals, John Crozier met J Duddington of Featherstone and was in control throughout before winning 21-7.

The victory takes him into the last sixteen in England and he will play his next round at Nottingham on April 14.

Liberty Trophy

The final of the Liberty Trophy is taking place on Saturday, April 15 at Nottingham when Cumbria will face Devon.

The start time of the final is noon and the fact that it is Easter Saturday means that travel arrangements are somewhat difficult.

The players would really like to be at the green by around 11.00am.

But, bearing in mind the possible traffic problems on the day, it would require something like a 7.30 start from Carlisle which is asking a lot particularly players from outside of Carlisle.

To date, therefore, there are no fixed plans either for players or spectators but I will update as soon as there are some firm plans.

Club Finals

They’re some way off as yet but the finals of the domestic competitions in Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club will be played rather differently this year.

All finals will take place on Friday, April 7, Saturday, April 8, and Sunday April 9. One for the diary.

Carliol League

League secretary John McLaren is presently issuing all the fixture details to all clubs in the two leagues.

John has asked that the name and contact details of the relevant team captain is returned to him as soon as possible so that this information can then be made available to all league sides.