Graham Hirst wins Rose Bowl epic encounter

Veterans League

Lowerhouses bowler Graham Hirst beat Ray Whitwam 21-20 in an epic Rose Bowl Final at Netherton Con yesterday. Both bowlers are in the Top 3 in the 10-Man League's single's averages and we were always going to have a feast of top bowling. So it was and more as the two best bowlers on display yesterday both deservedly progressed through to the Final where they served up a real treat for the spectators.

Graham led almost the whole match but Ray was never out of sight and we hardly saw a loose wood, and certainly never two in any one end, until the 30th end when Graham missed a chance to add a straight-forward 2nd to clinch the trophy when he was 19-17 up. The last two ends were the worst of the whole Final as Ray struck back to 20-across as the nerves started to be stretched and to enable Graham to roll in a winner on the 32nd end.

QUARTER-FINALS

Graham Hirst (Lowerhouses)(scratch) 21-8 Paul Rushworth (Broad Oak)(+6)

Garry Senior (Kirkheaton Con)(scratch) 21-11 Allen Chapman (Meltham)(+2)

Roger Lunn (Waterloo)(+2) 16-21 Ray Whitwam (Golcar Lib)(scratch)

David Walkden (Longwood)(+2) 11-21 Paul Rangeley (Meltham)(+2)

SEMI-FINALS Graham Hirst 21-5 Garry Senior

Ray Whitwam 21-8 Paul Rangeley

FINAL

Graham Hirst 21-20 Ray Whitwam

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