BEN Wright added to his £500 Handicap triumph with victory in the Jack Marklew Memorial Singles at Hawcoat Park.

Red River's Wright defeated Walney Park's Billy Harding in a thrilling final of the Handmark Engineering-sponsored competition.

Wright race into a commanding 13-3 lead by the 10th end, with some excellent bowls. But Harding clicked into gear, taking 10 of the next dozen ends, including five doubles.

With Wright showing signs of losing his length as he trailed 18-16 at the 22nd end, the 2014 winner looked favourite.

But the River regained his composure in taking the next three ends and the title to cap a fine two weeks.

It was a warm, calm, cloudy day, with the greens slowed to a manageable pace following overnight rain.

That contributed to a high standard throughout as almost 60 competitors took to the two greens for eight hours of bowling.

Wright, who played his early rounds on the number one green, defeated Wilf Heywood, Chris Johnson and Derek Bell, before switching to number two green for the quarter-finals, where he came back from 20-17 down against Danny Rogers.

In a reverse of fortunes in the last-four, he almost saw a 20-14 lead against Bob Parkinson evaporate before coming through.

In the other half of the draw, Harding opened his tournament with wins over Dave Leach and Derek Southward, before progressing into the quarter-finals with a hard-fought success over Gareth Jones, who came back well after trailing 17-12.

Jim Bawden was the victim in the semi-final, having led 20-19 and leading the jack at the final end.

Hawcoat Park secretary Bob Stewart thanked Handmark Engineering for their sponsorship, the ladies section for their hard work in the kitchen, and all those who helped in marking cards and measuring throughout the day.

RESULTS

Quarter-finals: D Rogers 20 B Wright 21; R Parkinson 21 M Procter 18; J Bawden 21 L Howard 19; G Jones 19 B Harding 21.

Semi-finals: B Wright 21 R Parkinson 18; J Bawden 20 B Harding 21.

Final: B Wright 21 B Harding 18.