The World Bowls singles qualifier took place at Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club on Saturday and, after his great win the previous weekend in the International Open qualifier, Stuart Irwin made a good start, beating club-mate Paul Wallace one and a half to a half in round one.

In the second round, he continued in winning vein, beating another club-mate Ian Gallagher in straight sets. Also in this round, Daniel Pool lost in a tie break and Huw Crosby, of Copeland, was narrowly beaten.

Kevin Harrison opened his account with a narrow win in the tie break, while Trevor Taylor came through his first game in similar style.

On to round three, and Taylor won in straight sets while Kevin Harrison put paid to Irwin’s hopes of a double success when winning one and a half to a half.

In the quarter-finals, both Harrison and Taylor were both in control and both won in straight sets.

In the semi-final, they met each other. Harrison took the first set 10-4 but Taylor struck back, winning the second 9-3 before Harrison won the tie break 2-0 to reach the final where he would play last week’s beaten finalist in the Scottish Open Paul Hartley.

Hartley was a shade unfortunate in his game the previous Saturday but never reached the same standard this week and, after a close first set which Harrison won 7-5, the second set was never really in doubt with Harrison earning his place at Potters in January 7-2.

This was a great win for Harrison who has had one or two near misses in recent seasons and, obviously, meant quite a lot to him, the clenched fist when Hartley’s final bowl just failed to save the game a clear indication of that.

On Sunday, it was the World Pairs qualifier but there were only two local pairs taking part, plus Huw Crosby who was playing with Craig Joseph, of Leeds, and Daniel Pool who was playing with Tom Coombe of Ardrossan.

Harrison and Irwin won their first game but then went out next time out to Julie Forrest and Lorna Cameron, who in the previous round had defeated Paul Wallace and Trevor Taylor who looked the likely winners of both sets but managed to lose them both.

Cameron and Forrest went on to reach the final where they met John McCrorie and Paul Hartley. This was a rather strange game, Paul Hartley won the first set 10-1 but then lost the second set 14-0 and then the tie break 2-1. One has to feel for Hartley who has lost in three finals in the last two weekends.

The attendance on Saturday was rather lower than normal but, probably, partly as a result of the Centenary Luncheon for Cumbria Bowling Association which took place at the Shepherd's Inn.

The luncheon was very well attended and quite a number of past presidents and life members were honoured and very well treated by the county, and county president Anthony Little. All the prizes and trophies for the season were presented and it was good to see the vast majority of the winners were present.

The two newest trophies, this was just their second year, were awarded to James Park and David Forster who were Young Bowler of the Year and Bowler of the Year. That was no real surprise after their great season.

President of Bowls England Hazel Marke spoke very well and had the pleasant duty of presenting Cyril Atkinson with the Bowls England "Order of Merit" for services to bowls. There have not been a great number of these presented but there can be no doubt that this award was very well deserved and Cyril was given a standing ovation by those in attendance.

The luncheon was very well organised - well done Stephen Walker - and was finished off in real style when John Bell took the stand and gave his usual great performance. A good day was had by all.