Twenty games down in the Ulverston and District Bowling League, sponsored by Alan Myerscough (Ulverston), and Red River seem to have one hand on the title as they have a 12-point lead at the top of the table.

In a potential ‘banana skin’ game, they defeated a Salthouse team at home 10-4, perhaps putting paid to their opponents' title chances at the same time. Captain Tony Whitehouse had a tremendous 21-3 victory with Ben Wright and Barry Lowden following him home with their own single-figure wins. Barry Asbury was Salthouse’s star man, winning 21-5, with top man Adam Miller having an excellent 21-10 win to keep his merit chances alive.

Nearest challengers to the River are now Dalton CC, who after some astute signings have become a force to be reckoned with. They will be delighted with the 10-5 result they obtained this week on their visit to Co-op. Billy Thornton moved back above his dad in the merit race as he cruised to a 21-6 win, with Steven Davey equally in form in his 21-8 victory. Kyle Brown for once beat the bookie as he ran out a comfortable 21-5 victor.

Askam could well have condemned Ulverston Cons to relegation as they defeated the struggling side 11-3. Sadly, Ulverston turned up one short to be under the cosh from the start, and with Colin Taylor, Lian Knowles, Graham Rigg and Chris Atkinson all winning to single figures, the home side were always in control. However, Shane Barron was in top form against a tough opponent to win 21-7 for the Cons.

Relegation certainties Co-op A travelled to Glaxo and managed to take two games off a team that had whitewashed them in the return fixture. Co-op's points were scored by John Crosthwaite and Gerry McDonald whilst for the works side, Chris D’Leny, Stephen Viney and Norman McLeod (Jr) were all single-figure victors.

Only a year after winning the league, King Alfred now find themselves in mid-table and playing out the season, as they entertained near neighbours Post Office and took a close game 8-6. Mike Hool, coming in at bottom man, showed his class as he won 21-2, with top man Martin Barrow backing him up 21-9. Their opponents had Allan Crighton in equally good form as he also won 21-9 and Barry Woodall weighed in with a 21-10 victory.

Coasting to another easy home victory, Lindal defeated Roose 12-2. Steve Smith, after a couple of years out of the game, showed he still knows the green better than anybody as he won 21-3, while at the other end of the experience scale, Sam Naylor also had a great win (21-7) along with Ian France (21-9). Roose’s winners were Mike Watt and Ian Gomersall.

The final game of the week was the battle of the Parks as Walney entertained Hawcoat. The away side are without doubt the most experienced team in the league and used all of that experience as they won 10-5. Wilf Heywood led the way with his 21-11 victory, with Barry Christian (21-13) playing a great supporting role. For Walney, Paul Milburn was star man, winning 21-14.

Results

Division One

Glaxo 12 Co-op A 2, Lindal 12 Roose 2, Askam 11 Ulverston Cons 3, Walney Park 5 Hawcoat Park 10, Red River 10 Salthouse 4, King Alfred 8 Post Office 6, Co-op 5 Dalton CC 10.

Division Two

Salthouse A 13 Police 1, Dalton CC A 10 Askam A 4, Roose A 8 Glaxo A 6, Kings Head 8 Walney Park A 7, West Shore 10 West Mount 4, Barrow Island 5 Kirkby 10, Hawcoat Park A 2 Lindal A 13.