BOWLS in the region is making excellent progress at grassroots level – as one north club can testify. Newcastle-based Benfield Community Bowling Club runs a School of Excellence aimed at encouraging children as young as eight to take up the sport. Indoor and outdoor coaching sessions taken by qualified county coaches are held at the Parks leisure centre, North Shields, involving around 30 David Bryants of the future. The success of the centre was honoured when the Northumberland County Bowling Association’s senior vice-president Jim Holmes unveiled a plaque at the club’s Benfield Road base. Secretary Alan Thompson said: “The centre has been a huge success since we launched it and it continues to go from strength to strength. “This plaque is a superb accolade for the club. To help find the players of the future is very satisfying.” DOROTHY Kirkup (Gosforth Empire) won the two-bowl Champion of Champions title by defeating Ruth Turnbull (Washington Glebe). In the quarter-finals, Kirkup met only token resistance from Pat Walker (Gosforth Garden Village) in winning 18-7. Cecily Bennett (Cauldwell) won against Irene Stobbs (Heaton) 18-17, Stobbs unlucky to see her last bowl of the match unkindly trail the Jack to an opposing bowl. Hazel Butler (Hebburn) earned a comfortable 18-8 verdict against Jen Whalen (Sutton Trust), but Gladys Hood (Saltwell) lost 18-10 to Turnbull. Kirkup played Bennett in the last four and the match was tight throughout. With the score at 16-14 in her favour, Kirkup grabbed another two shots for victory. Butler played Turnbull but lost 19-17. The final saw level scoring on six occasions, but from 15-14 ahead Kirkup had only one result in mind. The Gosforth Empire player allowed Turnbull only one further shot for a 21-15 success. ANNE Upsall (West End) claimed the Northern Women’s Bowling Association’s Four-Bowl Champion of Champions title when she beat Doreen Bryson (Gosforth Garden Village). Irene Stobbs (Heaton) went out 18-5 in the last eight to Upsall. Pat Wade (Ravensworth A) saw off Doreen Hayes (Westerhope) 18-6. Jen Whalen (Sutton Trust) had her challenge ended by Bryson 18-8 while Dorothy Allsop (Denton Burn) lost 18-6 to twice former champion Edna Atkinson (Saltwell). Upsall and Wade played a tight semi with only a few shots separating them. The West End rep edged in front at 14-13 and managed to stay there to triumph 18-14. Bryson against Atkinson was even closer. The Saltwell player was ahead 13-9 but then lost her way over several ends, leaving Bryson to capitalise and narrowly win 18-17. The momentum changed a few times in the Upsall-Bryson decider, but victory went to Upsall with a 21-20 scoreline. | 
