Marshall A set to be crowned champions after mauling Melrose

The much-anticipated clash between defending champions Melrose and challengers Marshall A to settle the Gainsborough Bowls League title was a bit of a damp squib. But Marshall A aren't complaining because their runaway 8-2 victory (85 shots to 54) means they will almost certainly be crowned champions.

Two Melrose rinks were well below their normal standard as Bill Turner, Keith Clark and Paul Hinson romped home 30-5, while another resulted in a 27-8 triumph for the Marshall team, who also snatched a crucial third rink. Even if Melrose recover to win their last match 10-0, their rivals need only four points from their own final fixture at Misterton to seal the title.

Meanehile the sun shone and a fast surface produced some excellent bowls at the league’s finals day, held on the Rose Leisure green.

Holder Julian Cowan, of Melrose, retained his men’s singles crown 22-18, but only after brave fightbacks from 11-3 and 18-13 down by John Foster, of Beckingham. In the women’s singles final, Gail Windsor, of Scotter, had the edge for most of the match against Pam Hamer, of North Wheatley, and triumphed 21-15.

The open pairs was an all-Scotter affair, with Tom Whiteley and Ray Robinson beating Les Savage and Dave Copley 20-12, while Beryl Brocklesby and Jane Treen, of Marton GB, beat Rose’s Dorothy Parr and Andrea Cook in the ladies’ pairs final. The open triples title went to Scotter’s Les Savage, Merv Johnson and Dave Copley, who beat Keith Clark, Ray Hargreaves and Alan Crookes, of Marshall A, 16-12.