Whitehaven Bowing Club enjoyed a successful first day of Cumbria Bowling’s County finals winning four titles at Wigton Bowling Club.

For seven of the winners they claimed their place in the Bowls England national finals at Royal Leamington Spa where they will represent Cumbria.

On Saturday, July 26, players from around Cumbria descended on Wigton as they hoped to claim one of the ten titles they had been working towards.

Wigton Club Secretary Mike Foord said: “Wigton Bowling Club was delighted to again host the first day of the County finals on Saturday, July 26.

“As expected, the finals were keenly contested producing some excellent bowling which kept the spectators on the edge of their seats, with the Mens Senior Fours finals only being decided with the last bowl on the last end.

“As always, great sportsmanship was shown by all the finalists.”

In the opening session three of the national finals places were decided with the quartet of R. Corkill, I. Gaythwaite, R. Prince and J. Walker of Whitehaven beating S. Brough, R. Orchard, L. Parker and P. Wallace of Silloth 22-11 in the Men’s Fours.

While in the Men’s Junior Singles D. Wilson of Aspatria was victorious over T. Johnston of Courtfield with a 21-13 win.

In the Women’s Pairs V. Cook and R. Forster took the bragging rights as they beat Workington teammates T. Smitham and N. Fleet 18-8.

Of the two Cumbria titles on offer in the morning session with the Women’s Secretaries and Treasurers Singles went to L. Metcalfe of Appleby with a 21-10 victory over S. Balfour of Carlisle Subscription.

While in the Men’s Restricted Singles D. Blackmore made it double delight for Whitehaven as he beat F. Tinnion of Workington 21-16.

In the afternoon session four national finals places were on offer with Whitehaven’s R. Preston, L. Clarke, I. Blenkinsop and J. Walker missing out on the Senior Fours title in a thrilling 17-18 final to I. Brown, C. Horsfield, P. Campbell and S. Carswell of Courtfield.

It was not to be in the Men’s Junior Pairs as T. Johnston joined by Silloth’s J. Scott lost out 17-11 to Aspatria’s H. Creighton and J. Wilson.

In the Women’s Two Woods L. Rose made it three trophies heading to Whitehaven as she beat Workington’s T. Smitham 17-11.

Wigton were left cheering as C. Browbank, M. Haney and N. Bowe won 23-20 in the Women’s Triples beating Workington’s V. Cook, C. Bannister and R. Forster.

In the final session of the day Whitehaven’s L. Clarke made it four from five finals as he won 21-7 aginst Carlisle Subscription’s L. Kelly in the Men’s Secretaries and Treasurers Singles.

SATURDAY, JULY 26, AT WIGTON BC

MEN’S FOURS

R. Corkill, I. Gaythwaite, R. Prince, J. Walker (Whitehaven BC) 22-11 S. Brough, R. Orchard, L. Parker, P. Wallace (Silloth BC)

WOMEN’S PAIRS

V. Cook and R. Forster (Workington BC) 18-8 T. Smitham and N. Fleet (Workington BC)

WOMEN’S SECRETARIES’ /TREASURERS SINGLES

L. Metcalfe (Appleby BC) 21-10 S. Balfour (Carlisle Subscription BC)

MEN’S RESRICTED SINGLES

F. Tinnion (Workington BC) 16-21 D. Blackmore (Whitehaven BC)

MEN’S JUNIOR SINGLES

D. Wilson (Aspatria BC) 21-13 T. Johnston (Courtfield BC)

MEN’S SENIOR FOURS

R. Preston, L. Clarke, I. Blenkinsop and J. Walker (Whitehaven BC) 17-18 I. Brown, C. Horsfield, P. Campbell and S. Carswell (Courtfield BC)

MEN’S JUNIOR PAIRS

H. Creighton and J. Wilson (Aspatria BC) 17-11 J. Scott (Silloth BC) and T. Johnston (Courtfield BC)

WOMEN’S TRIPLES

V. Cook, C. Bannister and R. Forster (Workington BC) 20-23 C. Browbank, M. Haney and N. Bowe (Wigton BC)

WOMEN’S TWO WOOD SINGLES

T. Smitham (Workington BC) 11-17 L. Rose (Whitehaven BC)

MEN’S SECRETARIES/TREASURERS SINGLES

L. Clarke (Whitehaven BC) 21-7 L. Kelly (Carlisle Subscription BC)