YORKSHIRE’S bowlers experienced mixed knockout fortunes in the Middleton and Alsop cups.

The Middleton Cup team beat Derbyshire at Long Eaton, while the Alsop Cup ranks lost out to Cumbria at York RI.

At Long Eaton, Yorkshire started well to lead 39-29 after five ends and the advantage was extended to 68-47 by ten ends. The next five ends saw Yorkshire stretch their lead to 34 shots. With the aggregate secure, Yorkshire were able to concentrate on gaining rink points.

By 21 ends, they had five winning rinks and 20 points to Derbyshire’s two points with a score of 152-108.

The Alsop Cup team were slow starters and found themselves 39-27 in arrears after five ends.

They closed the deficit to 57-54 after ten ends, but Cumbria pulled clear again to lead by 19 shots after 15 ends before closing out the game 110-122, taking 17 points to Yorkshire’s five points.

The Middleton Cup victory sets up a grand finale between Yorkshire and Cumbria at Dunnington on July 5. Both sides have won their opening two games, with Yorkshire holding a two-point advantage.

Meanwhile, Clarence took maximum points from Acomb to increase their lead over second-placed Burton Lane in the York C&IU Bowls Evening League.

Burton Lane were 6-2 winners against Tramways, while Huntington in third place reduced the gap with an 8-0 defeat of bottom club South Bank.

St Clement’s ‘A’ are Afternoon League leaders after beating their ‘B’ team, while Tramways won their first game of the season against Acomb ‘A’.

In the preliminary round of the Heineken UK-sponsored John Smith’s Triples competition, Huntington ‘B’ sprang a surprise by overturning Kev Butler’s strongly fancied Burton Lane ‘B’ team.

They now host Clarence ‘C’ in the first round on Tuesday.

 

Wigginton are on a roll in the Huby Triples League, with their latest success a nine-point home win over leaders Easingwold.

There were three winning rinks, from skips Gary Stockton (15-10), Jane Stockton (23-9) and Graham Carver (17-11), while Colin Ellis’ side fought back from 16-1 down to draw 18-18.

In the BataGas Triples League, Wigginton tied 64-64 and four points apiece with Strensall and then picked up their elusive first eight-point victory against Slingsby.

In the Private Club League, the ‘A’ team finally notched their first win, 48-39 at Church Fenton, while the ‘B’ team had a 52-47 triumph at home to Tockwith.

The club have reached the semi-finals of the Tockwith League Cup after beating York Police 76-40.