Bowls: Caernarfon victorious in derby clash

Aug 21 2008 By Dave Jones

CAERNARFON excelled again in the North Wales Coast Bowling League’s Section A when they beat local rivals Bangor City 9-5 (218-193) on Saturday.

Best Cofi cards were submitted by Idris Evans and John Griffiths, both showing 21-7, while Bangor’s chart- topper was Cayl Buckland, also 21-7.

In Section B, Beaumaris B were in action twice, losing at Bethesda 10-4 – the hosts’ Derek Roberts did best at 21-8 – but then winning against Llanfairpwll 8-6, despite surrendering a tight aggregate of 199-207.

It was also 8-6 for Blaenau Ffestiniog at home to Abergele, Steve Jones starring at 21-6, while Bethesda finished on the wrong end of an 8-6 result at Dyserth, despite Fred Buckley’s 21-8.

Holyhead, the Section C front-runners, gained a huge boost by beating second-placed Copperfields 11-3, as Dave Turnbull excelled on 21-2, and Penygroes won their Section D match against Vardre Deganwy 10-4.

Battling to escape relegation, Bangor City did themselves a big favour in the Anglesey/Bangor and District Bowls League when they got the better of title runners-up Caernarfon.

It was a close call, though, as the division one derby produced a 7-5 scoreline after the games had been balanced at 5-5 but City claimed the bonus via a slim 182-176 aggregate.

Bangor’s best individual return was by Cayl Buckland at 21-8, while Caernarfon’s solo charts were headed by Herbie Jones on 21-9.

Just one league fixture remains for City, against Llanfairpwll, and they need to secure six points from that to retain their status at the top flight.

Bangor City bowlers have a cup final challenge coming up after overcoming neighbours Bethesda in the Eric Whitworth Competition by a slim 6-4 margin.

Ties in the Anglesey/Bangor and District League’s premier knockout are staged on a five-at-home and five- away arrangement and City’s passage was virtually clinched when they secured a 4-1 command on their own green.

Bethesda edged a favourable 3-2 situation at their place, while respective top solo performers were Gary Buckland at 21-3 for City and Dylan Roberts, 21-9 for the losers. The other semi-final between Criccieth and Beaumaris A has been delayed.

Scintillating form was shown by Bangor City to secure passage to the John Griffiths Cup final, within the Anglesey/Bangor and District Bowls League, as they outplayed Menai Bridge 8-2.

The ties are arranged on a five-at- home and five-away basis and City’s superb efforts on their own green yielded a 54 points advantage, although it was much closer at just plus-10 away.

Leading scorecards were submitted by uncle and nephew, Gary and Cayl Buckland, both at 21-3 in the home half.

In the other quarter-finals, Benllech beat Bethesda and Holyhead defeated Penygroes, both by 6-4 margins, while Llanfairpwll B were given a bye.

Semi-final line-up: Bangor City v Llanfairpwll B and Benllech v Holyhead.