Bowls: Hetton Workmen's take big step towards regaining Storey Bowl

A convincing 89-52 (6-1) win over second-placed Seaham Town has moved Hetton 8½ points clear at the top, and they have a game in hand.

Houghton Town returned to winning ways with a 79-53 (6-1) home success against Thompson Park, while Pennywell ended a five-match losing streak with an 83-58 (6-1) win over Hylton Colliery Welfare.

Today, the leaders head to Hylton CW, Seaham host Houghton Town and Wearmouth entertain Roker Park.

Silksworth extended their lead in the Earl Cup following a 87-61¼ (7-0) win at Houghton Town.

Second-placed Roker Marine went down 65-62 (4-3) at third-top Houghton Dairy Lane, while Hylton CW lifted themselves off the foot of the table with a much-needed 74-60 (6-1) win over Seaham Town, who now drop into the bottom two.

Hetton Workmen’s hopes of survival received a boost following a cracking 70-45¼ win over Barnes Park.

In Division Two, North Biddick are still clear at the top after a comfortable 82-55 (7-0) defeat of South Hylton.

Washington stayed second after a good 85-43 (6-1) victory at Ryhope, while Whitburn beat Sunderland 74-50 (6-1) to move off the foot of the table.

Swan Cup holders Houghton Dairy Lane hit North Biddick for a ton in a 100-61 (6-1) away win this week.

Roker Marine enjoyed a fruitful trip to Seaham Town, winning 86-35½ (7-0).

The Second Division leaders, Usworth, notched a ninth win of the season, 74¾-55¼ (5½-1½) over Grindon Mill, which sees them 11 points clear at the top.

Second-placed Washington defeated Hylton CW 81-43¾ (6-1), Houghton Town had a good 94-60 (6½-½) triumph at Ryhope, while Thompson Park beat bottom-of-the-table Pemberton 87-50 (6-1).

It’s down to shots difference at the top of the Harold Howey Trophy.

Silksworth’s 52-31 (3-1) win over neighbours Ryhope, coupled with Barnes Park B’s 36-18 (4-0) success at Roker Marine A, has left both teams level on points.

Silksworth, though, have a better shot difference.

The all-Houghton Dairy Lane affair saw the B team defeat the A team 35-24¼ (4-0), Ryhope A and Hylton CW A shared a 33-33 (2-2) draw while Houghton Town A narrowly beat Seaham Town A 28¼-28 (3-1).

Washington Glebe B beat Roker Park 33-31 (3-1) and bottom-of-the-table Whitburn narrowly missed out on a second win as they succumbed 33¼-31 (3-1) at Hylton CW B.

In Division Two, the Pemberton local derby saw the A team squeeze home as 35½-35 (3-1) winners over the B team.

Washington Glebe A moved above South Hetton after inflicting a 35-24 (4-0) defeat on them.

The final of the 3-2-1 Knockout Triples will take place at Barnes West End on Tuesday.

Last season’s runners-up, Silksworth, will be looking to secure a ninth success, while opponents Roker Marine will be attempting to take the title for the first time.

The Silver Jacks defending champions, Hetton Workmen’s Peter Harding and John Purdy, will not be repeating their feat as they were beaten 21-11 at home by Silksworth’s Billy Ferry.

Roker Marine’s Richie Mckie progressed to the last eight with a 24-14 victory over Roker Park’s Jim Huntingdon.

Latest draw: G Farquhar (Silksworth) v P Thomson (Roker Marine), J Wilson (Hetton Workmen) v J Wilson (Houghton DL), K Doyle (Grindon Mill) v B Sanderson (Barnes WE), W Ferry (Silksworth) v M Smith (Usworth), V Avery (Silksworth) v D Wright (Seaham Town), K Hemborough (South Hylton) v G McPheators (Silksworth), R Mckie (Roker Marine) 24 J Huntingdon (Roker Park) 14, D Fenwick (Ryhope ) v I Fairweather (Barnes WE)

In the Grindon League it was Tommy Thompson double fours quarter-finals night in midweek.

Holders Silksworth secured a semi-final place with a hard-fought 29-24 win at Dairy Lane.

Usworth’s 35-29 success against South Hetton sets up a repeat of last year’s final as they face Silksworth in one of the semis.

The other tie will see Barnes West End, who had a walkover, take on Hylton CW, who defeated Ryhope 46-29.

The semi-final ties will take place at Roker Marine on August 10.

The Sunderland Women’s Bowling Association held the latter stages of the annual Marjorie Marshall Triples competition this week.

From a field of 20 triples, the final saw Roker Marine’s Andrea Brown, Pat Whittaker and Grace Maxwell take the honours, defeating Sunderland’s Sheila Maddison, Mavis Pullan and Janis Petrucci 13-7.

As usual, over the two weeks of the competition a tombola was run which raised £210, to be shared between St Benedict’s Hospice and the Great North Air Ambulance.

This year’s county finals take place at Houghton Dairy Lane tomorrow.

There are live score updates on the Bowls Durham website and the action starts at 11am.

The Bowls Durham president’s team made a losing visit to Silksworth last weekend, while the planned fixture at John Whitehead Park next weekend has been cancelled.

Meanwhile, the Sunderland & District president’s team enjoyed a 101-82 victory at Usworth. Next weekend, they head to Jack Clark Park to face the Tyneside Bowling Association.