Division One of the Sharples-sponsored Furness and District Bowling League seems to be taking shape after just four games with the three favourites at the start of the year now occupying the top three spots in the table.

Reigning champions King Alfred currently hold a five-point cushion at the top after entertaining fellow Walneyites Post Office and gaining an excellent 12-2 victory.

Paul ‘Legger’ Hewitson led the way with his 21-6 win backed up by 21-7s from Tony Whitehouse, Chris Irvine and Steve Atkinson. The Postie’s points were scored by Martin Lavender and Stephen Waugh.

Lindal are the Alfred’s nearest challengers right now and kept up the pressure with a brilliant 11-4 win away at Glaxo.

Dave Dickinson came back into the team and showed what he is capable of with a 21-6 victory. Dave McRoy and Chris D’Leny were best for the works side.

The Police are the other side expected to be fighting for top spot and they visited the Raglan Street green of Salthouse for what can be a tricky fixture.

They would have been delighted to return with a 13-2 win, with new signing Liam Howard and Graham Wood showing their class in 21-7 victories. Top man Mark Smith and John Mason gained the Salthouse’s points.

The other Friday night game saw Dalton CC host Hawcoat Park A and in a tight game they managed to just scape home 9-5 victors.

Keith Alexander and the DCC ‘Talisman’ Gareth Jones had the best wins for them , whilst Paul Cain was on fire in his 21-9 victory for Hawcoat.

Hawcoat Park’s first team reversed their result as they defeated Askam 9-5. Last year’s second division merit champion Dave Hird was in scintillating form as he won 21-3 for Hawcoat with Gareth Knowles replying with a 21-13 for Askam.

The other two games in the division resulted in home wins. Red River defeated Walney Park 9-5 with Keith ‘Yella” Roebuck leading the way 21-7 and Calum Sharples backing him up with a 21-8 of his own. Kristian Ogilvie was best winner for Walney Park with a great 21-11 victory.

Co-op managed to turn over a King Alfred A team that looked strong on paper 10-4.

Proving once again that the game isn’t played on paper, Paul Clark was top performer for the Co-op with his 21-5 win backed up by a number of Dave’s…seriously it should be called Dave Avenue not Dane Avenue. Ray Holmes was in brilliant form for the Alfred winning 21-8.