We have reached the half way stage of this season's Ulverston and District Bowling League, sponsored by Alan Myerscough (Ford), and as the fixtures are reversed the second half of the campaign it is still all to play for at the top.

Red River now have the biggest lead seen this year as they moved eight points clear at the top of the table with an excellent 12-3 away win at Ulverston Cons. David Jones led the way with a great 21-8 victory and a rare appearance from Chris Irvine resulted in a 21-9 win. For the Cons, Steve Carruthers, David Nicholson and top man Billy Harding crossed the finish line first.

Glaxo have been the surprise package after being written off by the bookies at the start of the year, but a string of consistent results has them sitting in second place.

Visiting the Co-op, they again returned a decent points haul, winning 10-5. Paul Curwen was the best winner for Glaxo in a great game with Chris Johnson while Rod Lewis is now finding his form and also won well.

Yet again it was the men called Dave that saved the Co-op with Pedley, Irvine, Dawes and Ryder all winning, their other point being scored by Anthony Hopkins, who was seen celebrating with a nice chianti in the bar afterwards.

Lindal lost ground on the front two after suffering a heavy 11-3 defeat at the King Alfred. Top man Darren Naylor was in awesome form for the Villagers, winning 21-9, with Dave Dickinson and Shaun Taylor scoring their other points. The Alfred’s Eddie Backhouse was unstoppable in his 21-5 victory, with Jeff Hinde and Mike Hool both having good 21-11 wins to back him up.

After a disappointing start, last year’s runners up Salthouse are really hitting their stride and in the local(ish) derby with Roose had a comfortable 11-3 win. Alan Newsham came in at bottom man to win 21-10 with Andy Woods (21-11) and Mark Smith (21-12) being the next best. Dave Staunton and Ian Gomersall both had great 21-10 wins for Roose.

Hawcoat Park may be an ageing team, but they are still a force with a wealth of experience and will be as delighted with their 10-5 win away at Dalton CC as the home side will be disappointed.

Dave Hird and Bob Stewart started the ball rolling with 21-7 victories whilst Martin Steele replied with the same score for the Cricket, Andy Thornton also having a great win 21-9. Team merit leader Billy Thornton just about held on to his unbeaten record as he fell over the line 21-20 in a titanic tussle with Bob Parky.

Co-op A look like they will be making a swift return to Division Two as they are cast adrift at the bottom of the table after falling victim to Post Office 11-3. Barry Woodall, Alf Oldfield and Roly West all had great single-figure wins for the Posties whilst everyone’s favourite couple Jonny Benn and Kyle Brown both won for the Co-op.

The closest game of the week was at Askam, where the game against Walney Park ended 8-6 to the home side. However, due to Gareth Knowles having a great 21-2 win and Chris Atkinson, Mike Askew and Don Logan all winning 21-8 the aggregate was never in doubt. Mike Davey was best for the Park with a 21-8 victory of his own.

Results

Division One

Co-op 5 Glaxo 10, Askam 8 Walney Park 6, Dalton CC 5 Hawcoat Park 10, King Alfred 11 Lindal 3, Post Office 11 Co-op A 3, Salthouse 11 Roose 3 , Ulverston Cons 3 Red River 12.

Division Two

Kings Head 3 West Shore 12, Hawcoat Park A 6 Dalton CC A 9, Lindal A 8 Salthouse A 6, Police 3 Kirkby 12, Roose A 6 Barrow Island 9, Walney Park A 5 Askam A 10, Glaxo A 6 West Mount 9.