There were some interesting games completed in the Double Triples League and the results have gone a fair way to determining the league champions for this season.

Courtfield Cobras postponed their game against Eden Eagles the previous Sunday but it was played last Saturday.

After the game, the Cobras probably wished that they had stuck with the original date for, on the day, Eagles proved too good and took all six points. Kevin Johnston set off very well against Graeme Roberts, Lesley Metcalfe and Peter Metcalfe and after just six ends, led 9-2.

There was then a real reversal as the Eagle reached new heights and they won the next six ends to take charge at 12-9. A late fightback saw the Cobras pick up two shots which left them one adrift.

On the adjoining rink, Paul Campbell made a poor start and never really looked like winning before going down 15-6 to Mike Phillips, Tom Prescott and John Baird.

On Sunday, the Eagles were again in action and once more they won their game against Dalston Cockerels but only 4-2.

Cockerels had been in good form when defeating Courtfield Cougars the previous week but did not quite reach the same heights and Steve Watson went down 13-5 to David Cannon, Lesley Metcalfe and Peter Metcalfe.

Linda Douglas, Rob Potter and John Douglas kept up the good work, however when they defeated Tom Prescott 13-6, restricting the Eagles to just four singles and a brace.

League newcomers Marchmount Magpies have had a good season but they lost out on Sunday to a much-improved performance from Brampton Bears. Chris Horsfield, Peter Owen and Chris Allason were 11-6 down to David Fraser but rallied well in the second half to draw level on the penultimate end and get the two points with a two on the last end to win 16-14.

They were backed up by Keith Izon, John Davidson and Barry Milgate who scored 13 shots in the second half of their game to beat Norrie Hannah 17-15.

Wetheral Wasps have had a good season and had taken 26 points from seven games before Sunday.

However, they came up against a very much in-form Silloth Strollers and the seasiders went to town, taking all six points from the encounter. Alan Whitham, Sandra Parker and Peck Orchard had the game won by halfway before ending up 18-6 ahead against Steve Griffiths.

On the other rink, it was a very similar story as Oriole Hocking, Syd Brough and Paul Wallace proved much too strong for Peter Yates and won 23-7.

Perhaps the cooler conditions on Sunday morning were not quite suitable for the Wasps.

At the bottom of the table, there was a well-contested match between Penrith Pumas and Dalston Dragons. For the Dragons David Nugent, Carl Boyle and Mike Rogerson scored 10 early shots without reply in the first four ends and that was the game virtually settled, the final result being an 18-10 win for the Dragons.

On the other rink, it was a similar story in reverse. David Nobler, Mick Young and Andrew Lee led 10-1 and they too held on to win 13-9.

The aggregate score was 28-23 in favour of the Dragons.

The last game, was the local derby between Courtfield Cobras and Cougars and it was the title-seeking Cobras who came out on top. There was very little in both games throughout, some thought the Cobras were a shade fortunate but I couldn’t possible comment.

Len Docherty who had an excellent game, Mike Dewhurst and Paul Campbell won 12-7 on the last end of their game against David Taylor while Gordon Richardson, Lee McGarvie and Kevin Johnston scored five in the last two ends to beat Anthony Little 13-9.

The maximum win gives the Cobras a very good chance of taking the title but I should perhaps point out for the benefit of other title contenders that there was no laying down as far as the Cougars were concerned.

This week, the Cobras meet Wasps and a maximum win will ensure the title on shot difference from Strollers who have completed their games and are currently six points clear.

Any slip-up by the Cobras will see Strollers crowned champions and there is still a chance that Eagles could then claim second spot if they beat Cougars.

It’s still interesting.

Nationals

The Men’s Fours finals took place at Melton last weekend and there were hopes that Paul Barlow, Ian Gallagher, Gavin Taylor and Steven Farish might just do the business.

They certainly set off well enough in their first game and were comfortable winners against the Cyphers rink skipped by Andy Thomson. That was as good as it got however.

In the quarter-final, they came up against a very solid Northampton four skipped by Jamie Walker and were outbowled. No excuses - just beaten by a better four.

It will come as no surprise to hear that, having beaten the Cumbria four, Walker’s four went on to take the title.

Club finals

There was to have been a new format for Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club’s domestic finals this season but, for several reasons, there have been some slight adjustments.

The first of this year’s finals will take place on Saturday and the Ladies Restricted Pairs Championship for the John Bell Plate is one of three to be played at noon. Dorothy Jefferson and Dorothy Linden will play Myra Lowther and Jean Rae.

At the same time, Jackie Walker and Peck Orchard will face Alan Carruthers and Jim Morris in the Over-60 Open pairs for the Eddie McGarr Trophy.

The third game will see Cindy Edmondson and David McManus doing battle against Eleanor Gass and Jack Harkness for the R&E Gass Trophy.

On Sunday, there are two finals being played at 2.00pm. Margaret Kelton and Dianne Fieldhouse meet Mary Caddle and Susan Devlin in the Ladies Pairs for the M Allan and L Thomson Trophy.

The other final is the Restricted Mixed pairs Championship when Jenny Poland and Donald Poland will meet Jenny Sallis and Melvyn Sallis.

On to Tuesday, and there are two finals commencing at 6.30pm.

The Margaret Norris Memorial Trophy goes to the winners of the Mixed triples and the two contesting sides are Lesley Metcalfe, Peter Metcalfe and John Baird and their opposition Christine Wharton, David McManus and Rick Gallagher.

To round of this week’s finals we have the Mixed Fours for The Cumberland News Trophy when Linda Rose, Myra Lowther, Jackie Walker and John Wills meet Kate Peacock, Jenny Poland, Donald Poland and Colin Peacock.

More news of the other finals next week.

Liberty Trophy

News at last that there may be a coach travelling to Nottingham for the final of the Liberty Trophy, Cumbria v Devon on April 15.

However, to date there are just 25 names on the list and the cost of the coach means that there really needs to be 40 at least to make it feasible and affordable. A final decision will be made at the weekend.

If you want to go to Nottingham, get your name on the list pronto.