The regions champions gathered at Starbeck this week for the annual Champion of Champions event. This is the most prestigious and sought after trophy and was won for a second successive season by Wayside’s Gordon Flower. As the day progressed to the quarter finals stages Flower faced Veteran Champion Chaz Charleton. Flower blossomed early taking a 10-4 lead before Charleton brought the game back to 9-10. Flower then went on an excellent 9 break before finally closing the game out 21-16. Nidderdale young guns and close friends Tony Derrick (Black Swan Champion) and Tom Beecroft (Pateley Bridge Champion) met next in an exciting encounter. First blood went to Beecroft building an early 6-1 lead but Derrick stepped through the gears taking a strong 15-10 advantage. Beecroft refused to lie down however, resisting a rest and pulling the game back to 18-18. With both a place in the final and the ever important mates bragging rights at stake it was Derrick to took 3 consecutive singles to win the match. Tommy Cochrane Champion Brian Walker faced a tough challenge against Low Harrogate Champion David Spilsbury but just managed to remain 3 or 4 points ahead throughout the game to take an eventual 21-17 win. Bilton WMC Champion Phil Hill got off to a good start against Pairs Merit Champion Ian Kennedy cruising through to a comfortable 21-9 victory. In the first semi-final Flower grew rampant against Hill dominating right from the outset. Leading end after end he took a commanding 17-5 lead before Hill regrouped and fought back to 12. With a hope of giving us flowers, it soon became clear he hadn’t botany with the game closing 21-12. Walker also proved dominant in the second semi-final taking firm control over Derrick and building a superb 17-4 lead. Derrick fought every end desperate to claw his way back into the game but Walker was ruthless to secure a 21-8 win. In the final it was Flower who once again took early control leading well to take an excellent 10-1 lead. Walker is the most decorated bowler in the district but was clearly struggling to find his usual high performance levels. However where Flowers blossom so does hope, and Walker clearly wasn’t giving up without a fight as he brought the game back to within 3 chalks at 8-11. It was a fight back that Flower was soon to snuff out taking back control of the game with a series of two’s and dominating the remainder of the match through to a terrific 21-12 victory. League President Mr. Mick Faulding congratulated the winner, all competitors and also Starbeck Bowling Club for a very enjoyable day.
