The first silverware of the 2016 Crown Green Bowling season went to Wayside Travellers after winning the Herald Cup final on a splendid Knaresborough bowling green.
The cold spring evening weather could not dim the celebrations after the Travellers faced local rivals Black Swan. Brian Walker got proceedings underway against Dave Hodgson. Walker took an early 13-6 lead but Hodgson fought back well to 13-12. Walkers experience shone through however as he controlled the later stage of the game through to a 21-14 Wayside victory.
Swan’s Tony Derrick, a season’s new signing from Nidderdale, bowled an excellent game against Chris Rigby. It was Rigby that showed the early running leading 14-10 but Derrick stepped up a couple of gears and put in a polished performance to win 21-14. With the game standing all square up stepped Brad Walker, better known for knocking the goals in for Knaresborough Town, young Walker is also one of the finest bowlers around. Taking an early 11-3 lead against Dave Rowson but in typical fashion once Rowson dropped on a length he proved very difficult to stop and fought his way back to 13-13. It was a run Walker did manage to put a stop to however gaining control once again to take a 21-15 win.
Chaz Charleton took an early lead for Swan against Mark Reynolds going 7-4 up but Reynolds had served much of his apprenticeship on the Knaresborough green and took over with some excellent bowling to take a 16-8 lead. Charleton is a very experienced and competitive bowler and fought back with some exceptional bowls but it was to prove the Wayside man’s day as he secured a well-earned 21-13 win.
So with the first four games complete it was Wayside that held a 14 chalk advantage at the midway point. Swan’s rear-guard set off in fine style with both Adam Varley and Martin Hemmingway both going 9-1 up against Kevin Birtwhistle and Robert Maude respectively and things now looking very good for the Swan. Maude fought his way back well to 10-10 before finally battling on to a 21-17 victory. Varley maintained full control over his game with Birtwhistle however securing a valuable 21-11 win for Black Swan.
In the remaining two games Gordon Flower took an early 7-0 lead over Alan Whittaker and Andy Gilroy was putting in an absolute masterclass display peppering the Jack end after end to take a 15-1 lead against Richard Hughes. Whittaker was soon on the fight back however with the Jack changing hands many times before Whittaker crossed the line first with a good 21-18 win. There was no stopping Gilroy however as his exhibition display continued going on to secure a terrific 21-5 victory.
With the match result of 148-127 the Wayside Travellers were crowned Herald Cup Champions for the second consecutive year.
HABA President Mr. Mick Faulding congratulated both teams for an excellent final and Wayside on winning the Cup. He also thanked Knaresborough Bowling club for hosting the event and complimented them for the fabulous condition of their green.
