RYAN Smith had the edge over Rohan Massey-Holmes to become the 18th winner of the Sam Howarth Trophy at Barrow Island Bowling Club.

Massey-Holmes made a flying start in the final and, following a three-point start, opened up an eight-point advantage after four ends.

However, Smith fought back to led 9-7 and then 13-8, but Massey-Holmes hung in there and, after 23 ends, the match was all square at 15-15.

Smith edged three points in front and, although Massey-Holmes made it 19-18, it was Smith who picked up two singles to clinch victory at 21-19.

Smith came through a tough first-round match against Glaxo bowler Jack Brannon, coming from 18-15 down to win 21-19.

Massey-Holmes enjoyed a comfortable 21-11 victory over Callum Sharples, with Ethan Lowden producing some outstanding bowls to go through 21-15.

The all-Salthouse clash saw Adam Smith come from 18-15 behind to beat club-mate Jack Last 21-18 in one of the other highlights of the opening games.

West Shore's Massey-Holmes was always in control in his quarter-final against Daniel Thompson, progressing to the last four with a 21-16 success.

Ryan Smith held his nerve to see off Preston, who came back to within two points from 18-11 down before the Lindal bowler was eventually beaten 21-17.

Sam Naylor's last eight clash saw him close out the match against Adam Smith 21-17, Smith having been 13-5 and 19-12 down at various points in the game.

The other quarter-final saw Lowden come out on top against Harry Preston, with Preston fighting back from 19-8 down to 19-16 before Lowden got over the line.

It was a similar story in the semi-finals as both ebbed one way and then the other, particularly in the clash between Naylor and Smith, where the lead changing hands several times.

Naylor established an early foothold by going 12-7 in front and then pushed his lead out to 15-10, only for Smith to reel off four singles to draw within a point.

Three ends later, Naylor was 18-14 up, but a single, double and another single took Walney Park's Smith through to the decider.

There were never more than three points between Lowden and Massey-Holmes in their semi-final, but it was the latter who eventually prevailed courtesy of a 21-18 win.

Ken Howarth presented the trophies and prize-money to the finalists and semi-finalists, along with thanking Barrow Island BC for use of the green, and Tommy Elliott, Peter Minnis and Mick Jones for providing refreshments and measuring.

The next Junior competition is the Junior Grand Masters being held on Sunday, July 29 at the Red River, followed by the Peter Doherty Trophy on Sunday, August 19 at the Roose Community Green and the Joe Wardman Trophy at Salthouse on Sunday, September 9.

RESULTS

Round One: Adam Smith 21 Jack Last 18, Sam Naylor 21 Isaac Sainty 14, Shawn Fisher 15 Jack Preston 21, Jack Brannon 19 Ryan Smith 21, Rohan Massey-Holmes 21 Callum Sharples 11, Amelia Massey-Holmes 9 Daniel Thompson 21, Harry Preston 21 Ben Thompson 12, Fraser Rigg 15 Ethan Lowden 21.

Quarter-finals: A Smith 17 Naylor 21, J Preston 17 R Smith 21, R Massey-Holmes 21 Thompson 16, H Preston 16 Lowden 21.

Semi-finals: Naylor 19 R Smith 21, R Massey-Holmes 21 Lowden 19.

Final: R Smith 21 R Massey-Holmes 18.