JAYDEN Reilly became the 16th winner of the Sam Howarth Trophy when he beat home player Lian Knowles at Askam Bowling Club.

The 12-year-old knocked out another home player Fraser Rigg, 21-14, in the opening round, then Dalton youngster Brogan Jones, 21-13, to set up a semi-final against Jack Brannon, 11.

West Mount’s Brannon, now three times a Sam Howarth semi-finalist, could not match Reilly’s superb length bowling and went down 21-7.

Knowles, 16, had a first round bye but faced two tough games to reach the final.

Firstly he beat his Askam team-mate Shaun Fisher 21-14, then repeated the scoreline against last year's winner, 14-year-old Callum Sharples, in the semi-final.

In the final, Reilly continued were he left off from his semi-final performance and quickly built up a 14-3 lead.

Knowles closed the gap four ends later to 14-8, before a two to Reilly was followed by a double and two singles to Knowles and the advantage was cut to 16-12.

Reilly scored five singles to a pair of singles replied by Knowles to finish a worthy 21-14 winner.

Eight-year-old Harry Preston pulled off a surprise 21-19 win against Josh Smith before bowing out to Brannon.

Preston recovered from 14-10 down to lead 17-14, before Brannon ran out.

Jack Last led Sam Naylor 14-6 before Naylor levelled at 18-across. Last eventually won to 19, to cause a second upset of the day.

Ken Howarth presented trophies and money to the last four competitors.

He thanked Askam Bowling Club for the use of the green, all the markers and measurers, the Askam ladies for providing refreshments and the help received in running the competition.

RESULTS

Round One: Jack Preston 16 Jack Brannon 21, Josh Smith 19 Harry Preston 21, Fraser Rigg 14 Jayden Reilly 21, Kaitlin Last 9 Brogan Jones 21, Sam Naylor 19 Jack Last 21, Callum Sharples 21 Matthew Graves 11.

Quarter-finals: Brannon 21 Preston 17, Reilly 21 Jones 13, Last 14 Sharples 21, Knowles 21 Fisher 15.

Semi-finals: Brannon 7 Reilly 21, Sharples 14 Knowles 21.

Final: Reilly 21 Knowles 14.