
The first round of County Championship matches brought a number of close games as well as some convincing victories. The first result was a close win for Staffordshire over Merseyside.
In Merseyside’s home venue at the Mossley Hill Bowling Club set on a hill in picturesque south Liverpool. This artificial green is one of a number whose increasing use is not 100% welcome.
Although widely seen to be important to the future of the game the use of artificial greens has seen a number of counties attempt to prevent their use. Currently all attempts to prevent their use have been rejected.

This small and tricky green has already proved to be a reliable home venue for the Merseyside men. With some of the Staffordshire men struggling to get used to this quick & slick surface, and the banter flowing as quickly as the drink, the Merseyside men claimed nine winners on the way to a fifty-three point win. Phil Lee led the way beating Nathan Dawes (21-06).
At the Staffordshire home venue of Hammerwich in Burntwood the home players were even better. Thanks in no small part to having a single figure win in every block they claimed ten winners on the way to a sixty-nine point win. Ben Dixon claimed the best win over Ryan Walters (21-06).

The other game in their group saw a convincing win for Wales over Gtr Manchester.
The Welsh men bounced back from a disappointing season to beat a Manchester team hoping to repeat an impressive 2018 season. A hugely impressive win in both legs saw the Welsh men claim fifteen wins and a thirty one point win.

At the Manchester home leg of Ashton Cricket Club Leighton Roberts beat home star Dean Ferris (21-13).
The Welsh men were in full control from early on at Broughton and Bretton thanks to Andy Delooze (21-03) and Kevin Nicholas (21-08). Though Robbie Ellis will be prod of his win for the Manchester men (21-04).
Probably the most anticipated game was the battle, which it most certainly was, between Shropshire and Yorkshire. This game was a repeat of the 2009, 2011 and 2016 finals which saw the Yorkshire men claim two trophies. Today though it was a tale of revenge for the Shropshire men.

At the Yorkshire venue, Crosland Moor, the Shropshire men were thankful for two huge wins. Debutant Jon Palmer and Callum Wraight both won 21-06. Yorkshire were indebted to Jack Dyson (21-08) for being able to claim a nine point home leg victory as news from Shropshire filtered through.

At Newport Bowling Clubs number two green the Shropshire men were in control. Although James Davison (21-07) kept the Yorkshire men in the battle the coup de grace was delivered by Wayne Rogers (21-08). The early dominance by the home men proving so important in this close win by five points overall.
The other group game saw things a little more clear cut as North Lancs and Fylde eased to a forty point win over Cumbria.
The Cumbrian home leg in Barrow (North Scale BC) saw an impressive win by the North Lancs visitors. Tommy King led the way (21-05) ably assisted by Stuart Mort (21-10) and although a Cumbrian late fight back led by Dave Jones (21-09) they couldn’t prevent a North Lancs win by eleven points.
Down the M6 in Preston the home venue of Bamber Bridge Catholic Club saw a closer game. The Cumbrian visitors were in the game until a last block double of Derek Ainsworth (21-05) and Michael Leach (21-09) saw the Preston men home.
Group two contains just three teams as Isle of Man were not able to secure funding to guarantee their participation this year. This meant the reigning champions Warwick and Worcester had the day off. They looked on as Cheshire played South Yorkshire.
South Yorkshire claimed a narrow win home and away. In Northwich at the Rudheath Club Jonathan Sneddon claimed a hugely impressive win (21-07) as the team claimed seven winners. A mention though to Steve Curbishley (21-04) as the Cheshire men looked the sneak a home leg win.
Both decisive game wins in the last block and it was the same at Dearne Sports in Rotherham as Lee Johnstone (21-07) for Cheshire and Andrew Sorsby (21-08) for South Yorkshire saw the game out. It was just enough in the games for the South Yorkshire men as every bowl had something on it.
The biggest win of the day saw Potteries ease past Lancashire. The Potteries men have a better recent history than Lancashire men and probably went into this game as slight favourites.

In Stoke at the tricky Florence club it was a dominant display by the home men. Only Kevan Shaw (21-20) could claim a win for the Lancashire men as the Potters, led by Oat cake specialist Kerry Morris (21-06) registered a seventy-three point win.
At the legendary Garswood Hall club it was just as impressive for the Potteries men. Although Paul Winrow (21-09) was impressive for Lancashire the Potteries men responded as the tow Matts, Matthew Hill (21-10) and Matt Fellows (21-12), saw an eleven point away win from seven winners.
The other game saw the 2017 winners North Midlands lose both legs to Derbyshire. Prior to the game the money was on North Midlands to record a victory on the way to trying to reclaim the trophy. Derbyshire found the form that took them to the final in 2008 and 2013.
At the tricky Dunlop club in Coventry Steve Adams and Paul Hawker (both 21-08) led the way and although Tyler Dewis responded (21-09) it was the away men who won by a single point.
Over in Derby at the Co-op club North Midlands got off to a good start thanks to Matt Horton (21-12) but Richard Gill (21-09) helped the Derby men to eight winners and a twenty-four point win.
Attention now turns to the next round of fixtures on Sunday 2nd June. This is the last chance for teams who lost the first game to remain in with a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Fixtures for Sunday Jun 2nd | |||
---|---|---|---|
Section 1 | North Midlands | V | Lancashire |
Section 1 | Derbyshire | V | Potteries & District |
Section 2 | Cheshire | V | Warwick & Worcester |
Section 3 | Cumbria | V | Yorkshire |
Section 3 | North Lancs & Fylde | V | Shropshire |
Section 4 | Greater Manchester | V | Merseyside |
Section 4 | Wales | V | Staffordshire |
Results for Sun May 5th
Won | Agg | Home Team | Venue | Away Team | Agg | Won | Margin |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 | 233 | Derbyshire | Derby Co-op | North Midlands | 209 | 4 | +24 |
6 | 197 | North Midlands | Dunlop No.2 | Derbyshire | 198 | 6 | -1 |
14 | 431 | Derbyshire | Combined | North Midlands | 406 | 10 | +25 |
11 | 251 | Potteries & District | Florence T & B No.1 Green | Lancashire | 178 | 1 | +73 |
5 | 203 | Lancashire | Garswood Hall Bc No1 Green | Potteries & District | 214 | 7 | -11 |
18 | 465 | Potteries & District | Combined | Lancashire | 381 | 6 | +84 |
Won | Agg | Home Team | Venue | Away Team | Agg | Won | Margin |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | 198 | Cheshire | Rudheath Bowls | South Yorkshire | 196 | 6 | +2 |
7 | 219 | South Yorkshire | Dearne Sports | Cheshire | 206 | 5 | +13 |
13 | 415 | South Yorkshire | Combined | Cheshire | 404 | 10 | +11 |
Won | Agg | Home Team | Venue | Away Team | Agg | Won | Margin |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | 204 | Cumbria | North Scale Bowling Club | North Lancs & Fylde | 215 | 5 | -11 |
7 | 232 | North Lancs & Fylde | Bamber Bridge Catholic (brownedge) | Cumbria | 203 | 5 | +29 |
12 | 447 | North Lancs & Fylde | Combined | Cumbria | 407 | 12 | +40 |
7 | 204 | Yorkshire | Crosland Moor B. C. | Shropshire | 195 | 5 | +9 |
7 | 217 | Shropshire | Newport No 2 | Yorkshire | 203 | 5 | +14 |
12 | 412 | Shropshire | Combined | Yorkshire | 407 | 12 | +5 |
Won | Agg | Home Team | Venue | Away Team | Agg | Won | Margin |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | 210 | Greater Manchester | Ashton Cc | Wales | 213 | 8 | -3 |
7 | 202 | Wales | Broughton And Bretton Bowling Club | Greater Manchester | 176 | 5 | +26 |
15 | 415 | Wales | Combined | Greater Manchester | 386 | 9 | +29 |
9 | 237 | Merseyside | Mossley Hill Athletic | Staffordshire | 184 | 3 | +53 |
10 | 240 | Staffordshire | Hammerwich Bc | Merseyside | 171 | 2 | +69 |
13 | 424 | Staffordshire | Combined | Merseyside | 408 | 11 | +16 |
Full scores from games played Sunday 5th May
Played at Derby Co-op | ||||
Pos | Derbyshire | Score | Score | North Midlands |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gareth Nash | 12 | 21 | Matt Horton Man Of Match |
2 | Dan Petcher | 17 | 21 | Shane Day |
3 | Adam Hartley | 21 | 13 | Russell Prosser |
4 | Darren Carter | 21 | 15 | Ben Lynch |
5 | Conor Chamberlain | 21 | 17 | Andy Gibbs |
6 | Richard Gill | 21 | 9 | Ben Percival |
7 | Ed Wallis | 17 | 21 | Dane Hopwood |
8 | Nigel Iliff | 21 | 15 | Michael Lynch |
9 | Dan Hartley | 21 | 19 | Matty Allen |
10 | Ed Furniss | 19 | 21 | Peter Varney |
11 | Matt Kelly-walley | 21 | 18 | Jordie Baddeley |
12 | John Dewey | 21 | 19 | Stuart Perry |
Total | 233 | 209 |
Played at Dunlop’s No 2 | ||||
Pos | North Midlands | Score | Score | Derbyshire |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Darren Plenderleith | 21 | 5 | Jon Guess |
2 | Paul Lamb | 8 | 21 | Steve Adams |
3 | Steve Pratt | 9 | 21 | Craig Shore |
4 | Lenny Fulleylove | 17 | 21 | Phil Clapham |
5 | Tyler Dewis | 21 | 9 | Richard Peach |
6 | Natty Tonks | 21 | 17 | Dan Golpin |
7 | Liam Dennis | 14 | 21 | Adam Stubbs |
8 | Darren Tring | 21 | 20 | John Finch |
9 | Daniel Edkins | 21 | 11 | Matt Bradwell |
10 | Scott Horbury | 21 | 10 | Andy Milsom |
11 | Richard Mnr Burdett | 8 | 21 | Paul Hawker |
12 | Stuart Nash | 15 | 21 | Ian Brown |
Total | 197 | 198 |
At Florence T&B | ||||
Pos | Potteries & District | Score | Score | Lancashire |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gary Owen | 21 | 14 | Chris Cooke |
2 | Mark Melvin | 21 | 10 | John Durrands |
3 | Martin Hallam | 21 | 20 | Jack Marrow |
4 | Kevin Boon | 21 | 15 | Danny Mayers |
5 | Kerry Morris Man Of Match | 21 | 6 | Chris Morrison |
6 | Joe Melvin | 20 | 21 | Kevan Shaw |
7 | Chris Kearns | 21 | 15 | Ray Bevington |
8 | Mark Norcup | 21 | 16 | Stuart Hodson |
9 | Andy Ferris | 21 | 16 | Andy Morrison |
10 | Darren Stanway | 21 | 18 | Steve Gilfedder |
11 | Richard Clay | 21 | 17 | Micheal Heap |
12 | Lee Brown | 21 | 10 | Damien Morrison |
Total | 251 | 178 |
At Garswood Hall No 1 | ||||
Pos | Lancashire | Score | Score | Potteries & District |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Crossley | 21 | 12 | Joe Williamson |
2 | John Brown | 16 | 21 | Josh Towey |
3 | Paul Winrow | 21 | 9 | Gareth Stanway |
4 | Neil Bithell | 16 | 21 | Paul Dale |
5 | Barry Simm | 12 | 21 | Matt Fellows |
6 | Ryan Semmens | 21 | 17 | Aaron Jones |
7 | David Higginbottom | 17 | 21 | Anthony Lloyd |
8 | Mark Britton | 14 | 21 | Jon Price |
9 | Harvey Birch | 21 | 14 | Lee Dale |
10 | Chris Hook | 13 | 21 | Steve Parkin |
11 | Neil Rodgers | 21 | 15 | Paul Charlesworth |
12 | Duncan Watkins | 10 | 21 | Matthew Hill |
Total | 203 | 214 |
At Rudheath BC | ||||
Pos | Cheshire | Score | Score | South Yorkshire |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tom Vickers | 15 | 21 | Richard Atkin |
2 | Andy Hamman | 18 | 21 | Paul Wildgoose |
3 | Dave Obrien (vc) | 19 | 21 | Andrew Turner |
4 | Danny Nixon | 21 | 10 | Matthew Bower |
5 | Robert Winnington (c) | 21 | 18 | Barry Connolly |
6 | Glynn Cookson | 15 | 21 | Stuart Thompson |
7 | Mike Yearsley | 21 | 19 | Paul Bailey |
8 | Adi Faulkner | 0 | 0 | Andrew Whitaker |
9 | Steve Curbishley | 21 | 4 | Joe Westall |
10 | Neal Ocego | 19 | 21 | Dean Missere |
11 | Jason Cornes | 21 | 19 | Gary Hanson |
12 | Steve Morrey | 7 | 21 | Jonathan Sneddon |
Total | 198 | 196 |
At Dearne Sports | ||||
Pos | South Yorkshire | Score | Score | Cheshire |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chris Brown | 19 | 21 | Tommy Johnstone |
2 | Kevin Nixon | 21 | 15 | Phil Davies |
3 | Ross Meese | 21 | 16 | Carl Armitage (vc) |
4 | Danny Sillitoe | 13 | 21 | Dave Phillips |
5 | Chris Kelly | 21 | 14 | Noel Burrows |
6 | Jack Clarke | 21 | 19 | Dave Jackson |
7 | Nick White | 15 | 21 | Jamie Bramley |
8 | Glyn Davies | 18 | 21 | Andy Birtles |
9 | Ryan Clark | 21 | 19 | Larry Wells |
10 | Richard Jackson | 7 | 21 | Lee Johnstone |
11 | Mark Booth | 21 | 10 | Neil Smith |
12 | Andrew Sorsby | 21 | 8 | Ben Phillips (c) |
Total | 219 | 296 |
At Crosland Moor | ||||
Pos | Yorkshire | Score | Score | Shropshire |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Scott Fisher | 21 | 15 | Michael Beer |
2 | Craig Gant | 21 | 13 | Andy Moss |
3 | Dave Fox | 6 | 21 | Jon Palmer Man Of Match |
4 | Graeme Wilson | 21 | 18 | Colin Beaman |
5 | James Martin | 6 | 21 | Callum Wraight |
6 | Kevin Burns | 20 | 21 | Martin Lloyd |
7 | Ashley Tattersley | 21 | 14 | Sam Millward |
8 | Josh Brown | 21 | 11 | Peter Farmer |
9 | Liam Griffin | 14 | 21 | Paul Reeves |
10 | Jack Dyson | 21 | 8 | Adrian Rowe |
11 | Ashley Daykin | 11 | 21 | Rich Goddard |
12 | Robert Hitchen (c) | 21 | 11 | Andy Duckett |
Total | 204 | 195 |
At Newport No 2 | ||||
Pos | Shropshire | Score | Score | Yorkshire |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Spencer Clarke | 21 | 16 | James Hanson |
2 | Darren Wellings | 21 | 13 | Josh Mordue |
3 | Scott Harries | 21 | 18 | Thomas Hanson |
4 | Clay Flattley | 13 | 21 | Wayne Moseley |
5 | Stuart Rutter | 21 | 14 | Stuart King |
6 | Glyn Herbert | 21 | 13 | Gareth Coates |
7 | Wayne Phillips | 21 | 16 | Kieran Smith |
8 | Ashley Wellings | 17 | 21 | Gary Siswick |
9 | Tom Roden | 19 | 21 | Ian Booth |
10 | Paul Evans | 14 | 21 | Chris Mordue |
11 | Kiah Roberts | 7 | 21 | James Davison (c) |
12 | Wayne Rogers | 21 | 8 | Mark Regan |
Total | 217 | 203 |
At North Scale BC | ||||
Pos | Cumbria | Score | Score | North Lancs & Fylde |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Baz Lowden | 19 | 21 | Andrew Cairns |
2 | Martin Barrow | 5 | 21 | Thomas King |
3 | Chris Irvine Man Of Match | 21 | 11 | James Grimston |
4 | Zach Walker | 21 | 19 | John Bottomley |
5 | Gareth Jones | 10 | 21 | Stuart Mort |
6 | Darren Woodend | 11 | 21 | John Whittaker |
7 | Andy Armstrong | 21 | 16 | Darren Edmondson |
8 | Mark Coulter | 21 | 17 | Tim Barnett |
9 | Kieran Clark | 21 | 19 | Steve Clamp |
10 | Paul Thompson | 21 | 19 | Dave Worthington |
11 | Dave Jones | 21 | 9 | Mel Byron |
12 | Adam Miller | 12 | 21 | Ian Nicholson |
Total | 204 | 215 |
At Bamber Bridge Catholic Club | ||||
Pos | North Lancs & Fylde | Score | Score | Cumbria |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ashleigh Woof | 18 | 21 | Ian France |
2 | Lyndon Carr | 17 | 21 | Dan Varcoe |
3 | Owen Jackson | 21 | 17 | Graham Law |
4 | Peter Hawkes | 21 | 20 | Martin Wilson |
5 | David Watters | 17 | 21 | Ira Collier Man Of Match |
6 | Simon Coupe | 21 | 14 | Mark Ashburn |
7 | Brian Morgan | 17 | 21 | Steve Carruthers |
8 | Dean Butler | 21 | 17 | Danny Rogers |
9 | Sam Patterson | 21 | 16 | Darren Naylor |
10 | Derek Ainsworth | 21 | 5 | Liam Baxter |
11 | Michael Leach | 21 | 9 | Paul Kissock |
12 | Jon Metters | 16 | 21 | Matty Stewart |
Total | 232 | 203 |
At Ashton Cricket Club | ||||
Pos | Greater Manchester | Score | Score | Wales |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dean Ferris | 13 | 21 | Leighton Roberts |
2 | David Walker | 14 | 21 | John Bonatti |
3 | Matt Gillies | 21 | 16 | Ian Dutton |
4 | Chris Heyes | 21 | 13 | Richard Zolman |
5 | Paul Heap | 11 | 21 | Ian M Jones |
6 | Tim Holt | 19 | 21 | Craig Griffiths |
7 | Ben Gloag | 16 | 21 | Nick Jones |
8 | Charlie Roberts | 19 | 21 | Martin Jones |
9 | Jimmy Hynes | 21 | 6 | Daniel Hughes |
10 | Andy Raymond | 21 | 10 | Adam Penlington |
11 | John Davies | 18 | 21 | Graham Rogers |
12 | John Ashton | 16 | 21 | Andrew Hughes |
Total | 210 | 213 |
At Broughton & Bretton BC | ||||
Pos | Wales | Score | Score | Greater Manchester |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jason Jones | 13 | 21 | Gary Ellis |
2 | Kris Charlton | 21 | 17 | Darren Griffiths |
3 | Andy Delooze | 21 | 3 | Paul Leah |
4 | Kevin Nicholas | 21 | 8 | Andy Lowe |
5 | Robin Bennett | 21 | 11 | Andy Murray |
6 | Mark Parry | 4 | 21 | Robbie Ellis Man Of Match |
7 | Kris Fearnley | 12 | 21 | Tom Eccles |
8 | Lewis Scott | 21 | 9 | Nick Turrell |
9 | Mike Riley | 21 | 10 | Jack Hargreaves |
10 | John Short | 21 | 13 | Dean Hibbert |
11 | Geraint Booth | 16 | 21 | Ben Stapleton |
12 | Paul Walley | 10 | 21 | Gareth Gwillam |
Total | 202 | 176 |
At Mossley Hill Athletic Club | ||||
Pos | Merseyside | Score | Score | Staffordshire |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Phil Lee | 21 | 6 | Nathan Dawes |
2 | Terry Glover | 20 | 21 | Mark Jones Man Of Match |
3 | Mike Havern | 21 | 12 | Nick Wyer |
4 | Peter Jones | 21 | 12 | Reece Farr |
5 | Danny Barwise Capt | 21 | 11 | Jamie Wyer |
6 | Mike Tunstall | 21 | 20 | Kevin Hocknull |
7 | Tex Allen | 21 | 18 | Robert Perry |
8 | Robbie Fitzpatrick | 11 | 21 | Daniel Davies |
9 | Josh Bunting | 21 | 16 | Paul Busby |
10 | Lee Downing | 21 | 9 | Jason Westwood |
11 | George Curran | 17 | 21 | Nick Newey |
12 | Owen Doyle | 21 | 17 | Peter Cookson |
Total | 237 | 184 |
At Hammerwich BC | ||||
Pos | Staffordshire | Score | Score | Merseyside |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Scott Simpson | 11 | 21 | Matty Gilmore |
2 | Chris Ward | 21 | 8 | Andy Hayes |
3 | Aaron Tapper | 21 | 12 | James Whalley |
4 | Stuart Edwards | 21 | 17 | Ian Sherbrooke |
5 | David East | 21 | 17 | Nick Burridge Capt |
6 | Glynn Storer | 21 | 7 | Neil Sherbrooke |
7 | Craig Barker | 21 | 13 | Brian Hanlon |
8 | Darrell Handley | 21 | 16 | Chris Barton |
9 | Dan Bodley | 19 | 21 | Nigel Hughes |
10 | Ben Dixon | 21 | 6 | Ryan Walters |
11 | Kevin Handley | 21 | 14 | Anthony Thompson |
12 | Gordon Hawkins | 21 | 19 | Dave Mcdermott |
Total | 240 | 171 |