POLICE need to claim 13 points from their final game away to former landlords Dalton Cricket Club to prevent King Alfred from lifting the Sharples Lettings Furness and District Bowling League Division One title.

The Bobbies beat their fellow contenders for the Division One crown 9-5, a game which did see one of the outstanding titles decided.

That was the individual merit prize as King Alfred’s Barry Lowden reached 20 wins for the year and cannot be caught by any other player.

Lowden won 21-7 to ensure him the merit trophy in the big top two clash, but it was not enough to help Alfred win the match overall. Graham Wood, 21-7, and Mark Curwen, 21-8, led the way for Police.

Bill Bowes and Derek Yates were best as Roose Community gave themselves an outside chance of remaining in Division One.

Despite having a good 9-5 win against Co-op SC, Roose still trail King Alfred A by two points, after the Walney side lost 11-4 at home to reigning champions Hawcoat Park.

Danny Rogers was best for Salthouse in their 11-4 win at Walney Park, while Jono Kells top scored for Post Office as they defeated Askam 8-6.

Neil Jones along with Bob Mantle won 21-6 and Errol Wall 21-9 for Dalton CC, but they still went down 9-5 at Red River, mainly due to a fine 21-6 win by Andy McDonald.

The destination of the Division Two title has yet to be decided either, although Hawcoat Park A now lead the way following Glaxo SC’s surprise defeat away to Salthouse A.

Hawcoat’s David Heard has already claimed the Division Two merit prize with 20 wins.

Glaxo could not take advantage of half the Salthouse A team missing and despite big wins of 21-6 from Rod Lewis and 21-8 by Geoff Hill, they still lost the aggregate by one chalk following 21-9 replies by Stan Edmondson and Martin Carpenter.

Bill McLaughlin starred with a 21-8 card as Hawcoat A got 12 points at home to King Alfred, while Dave Phizacklea won 21-6 along with brother Peter and Dave Watterson 21-8 as Co-op SC A defeated Roose Community A 11-3.

Keith Churchman won 21-8 as Police A won 10-5 victors away to Dalton CC A.

Bob Forsyth’s 21-5 win on his return for North Scale to help them beat Hawcoat Park B 10-4, but the result did not save them from relegation. John Lavender 21-9 was the losers’ best.

Noel McAlley, 21-3, and Roy Bainbridge, 21-7, starred for Kirkby A as they beat Barrow Island 10-4.