Red River have opened up an eight-point lead in Division One of the Alan Myerscough (Ford)-sponsored Ulverston and District Bowling League.

Last week, they entertained near neighbours Roose and returned with a comfortable 10-4 victory. Ben Wright and Barry Lowden led the way with 21-7 and 21-9 wins, while Bill Burgess showed there is life in the old dog yet, being Roose’s best winner (21-13).

Just three points separate the next six teams in the division, with Glaxo moving into second place after a tremendous 11-3 win over Hawcoat Park.

Chris McIlroy was in superb form as he won 21-7 for the Chemical Brothers whilst Bob Parkinson was equally awesome in his 21-3 victory for Hawcoat.

Reigning champions King Alfred suffered a rare home defeat as they entertained a Salthouse side in good form, going down 10-5. Darren Mountford had a great 21-9 win for the Salthouse with Dave Whitehead showing his class in reply for the Alfred, winning 21-11.

Co-op A are finding things tough in the First Division after promotion and things got no easier as they had to visit the tricky green of Lindal.

Sadly, the whole team struggled to get to grips with the notorious slope and fell to a 14-0 defeat. Star man for Lindal was Paul Kissock with a 21-2 win, while Ian France, John Reilly, Ryan Smith and Paul ‘fake Sharky’ Wrathall all won 21-5.

Dalton Cricket dropped from second place after suffering a heavy defeat 10-4 away to a strong Askam side. Graham Rigg was outstanding in his 21-4 victory with Chris Atkinson being next best (21-15). Paul Lewis was the sweep winner for the Cricketers with his excellent 21-6 scoreline.

It seems a lifetime away now that Ulverston Cons were winning the league, as they fell to another heavy defeat when they visited Walney Park, losing 10-4.

Sadly, they were also two men short, so were always up against it. Billy Harding returned to his old stomping ground and excelled in his 21-8 win at top man and was well supported by Keith Birkbeck, who won even easier 21-6. The Park’s best winners Luke Moxham 21-11 and Ian Fairclough and Stan Halesworth who both won to 14.

Co-op and Post Office met at the Dane Avenue and in a close battle, the home team edged it 9-5. They had Dave Ryder to thank for sending them on their way with a brilliant 21-6 win, along with Dave Harwood and Peter Phizacklea who both weighed in with 21-13 victories.

For the Posties Alf Oldfield was in fine form ,winning 21-12, just pipping Mike Fieldhouse to the best winner award as he won 21-13.

Results

Division One

Lindal 14 Co-op A 0, Red River 10 Roose 4, Co-op 9 Post Office 5, Glaxo 11 Hawcoat Park 3, Walney Park 10 Ulverston Cons 4, Askam 10 Dalton CC 4, King Alfred 5 Salthouse 10,

Division Two

Salthouse A 12 Kirkby 2, Roose A 11 Police 3, West Shore 12 Askam A 2, Hawcoat A 10 Walney Park A 4, Barrow Island 10 Westmount 4, Dalton CC A 9 Lindal A 5, Kings Head 6 Glaxo A 9, Police 10 Walney Park A 4.