South Park Bowls Club

Scott Morland who at best this season has been inconsistent and at times abysmal went to Silksworth to play singles against internationals, EBA Champions and altogether class bowlers frightens the locals.
After making it through 3 rounds to the semi-finals in a battle for £700 he had already included good wins against Gary Smith and Jason Taylor before scaring eventual winner Paul Ging who after knocking out England champion David Bolt was always a good contender.
This has given a little boost to Scott who has his 2 EBA Singles games this week at home to Vic Tunstall and Graham Peacock both of Hundens.

A great result for the team, an incredibly heavy clapped out green always suits us lot. A thumping big win for Barry Hopkins Jnr, Dave and Scott. A slender win for Barry Hopkins, Ben and Stan and a good win for Tom, Daniel and Ian. It was almost 10 points as Sandra, Jane and Tom were narrowly defeated to Addison Parks top rink.
As Trimdon have now dropped out of the league there is a possibility 3 teams could be promoted so this weeks game at home to Brandon could be vitally important.

A game that is and was always going to be comfortable. Woodland at full strength are only an average team, a weakened team was never going to be a match for our strong Sherwood League team especially with Hopkins Jnr being available to strengthen the back end.
3 convincing wins for his rink, Barry Hopkins rink and Sandra Hopkins rink – a full family destruction to get the team through to round 2!

Another good home win to pip Spennymoor for the top spot in Division 3, even with a woeful display from Scott Morland, Barry Hopkins Jnr and Tom Cairns the team coasted to victory. This season is a real boost for the kids of the team who are getting used to that winning spirit, if all goes well they could possibly take this spirit straight into the higher divisions in both this and the Darlington League.

Friday night saw an evening of stormy weather, the game progressed for 5 ends before Cummins Shirley Barras had to be taken off after a slip on the green.
We hear she is on crutches and wish her well on her recevery. Shirley is a lovely woman and despite being totally against calling off games for rain at our club it was felt this decision was only right in the circumstances.

On a lighter note we were getting battered………………

This was our 1st win this season in the Durham and District League and it should have been more. Sandra and Barry Hopkins rink yet again won convincingly which guiding home the long game nicely for a 6-4 win.
This is disappointing at home especially with Addison Park away coming up next week who are league favourites but who cares bring it on!!

Its been a dour week for South Park hopefuls. Sam Pattison and Scott Morland were defeated at Houghton Dairy Lane by 11 shots to Mrs cheerful and partner in the National Mixed Pairs.
Barry Hopkins Jnr sensationally lost 21-0 to Scott Morland in 4 bowl singles, mainly because he gave it away without playing. Scott now faces Lance Simpson of Stockton in the 2 bowl singles and Craig Northam or Vic Tunstall in the 4 bowls singles from RA and Hundens respectedly.

A lovely night of British weather saw the team play against a poor Woodland side.
Still only one rink found the night a walkover. Simon Brodie, Terry Collinson and Glyn Jones were heavy winners ensuring the long game was put to bed early. Barry Hopkins rink was comfortably in the end but had a few hairy moments along with his sons rink that also won by a mere 9 shots. The praise goes to our 4th rink though who despite being the most inexperienced cruised to victory over an experienced Woodland rink.

Unfortunately our Durham & District League game had to be cancelled at Langley Park this week. This meant forfeiting the 10 points at stake. Due to a number of casualties, holidays and drinking sessions we were unable to field a a team, infact only 4 players committed to the cause.
It was a shame as Langley Park is a wonderful place to bowl, the setting is immense and unusually the rain held off.
This now leaves South Park 2nd bottom of the table with a mountain to climb especially with Brandon having a game in hand at the bottom and a trip to league favourites Addison Park in a fortnight. Hopefully next week we can take advantage of a home tie to Cockton Hill next week.

The team despite missing Barry Hopkins and Simon Brodie pulled off a fantastic performance at North Lodge Park. A difficult night was expected especially against Jane, Sam and Stacey who are our players in the Durham & District League.
We were proven wrong, the team went out and did their job to top the table with 7 and a half points in 2 games. The only half point dropped was Colin Gittins rink, but still away from home this was a great result.