MEMBERS of a troubled bowling club failed yesterday to persuade a judge to allow them to gain access to it.

Robert Armstead and 11 named claimants from Albion Bowling Club in Brighouse wanted Recorder Jonathan Klein to allow the application for an interim mandatory injunction.

The hearing at Leeds Chancery Court heard the bitter dispute originated in 2008 when the committee of Blakeborough Social & Sports Club, known as ‘Blakes’, decided to sell the separate bowling club to help pay its mounting debts.

Tempers boiled over even further in November 2012 when members of that committee decided to close down the bowling club and police had to be called.

But Mr Armstead, who represented himself and the other claimants, said the decision was not in the best interests of the social club and should be revoked.

He said 11 teams used the green and the pavilion and there was a danger that the lack of maintenance meant it could cost between £5,000 and £10,000 “to relay the green and get it up to standard.”

As well as allowing the injunction they were also seeking damages of £12,000 for loss of income and maintenance of the green.

Admitting that he was not a bowler himself, Mr Armstead said there was also a risk that some of the clubs could face relegation.

At present they are only able to fulfil their fixtures thanks to other clubs across West Yorkshire allowing them to use their facilities.

But Steven White, counsel for Blakes secretary Joe Bunni and committee members Andy Taylor and Joe Phelan, said there was a danger that if bowlers were allowed access there were “worries that they might act to ‘frustrate’ the sale.”

He said valuations of the property were imminent and it was preferable for the building to be sold with vacant possession.

After hearing all the evidence over several hours Recorder Klein rejected the application and awarded costs of £2,500 against the claimants.

He said: “I can’t say that a greater injustice would be caused by not granting the injunction than by granting it.”

Members of the bowling club want to buy it from Blakes for a fee of around £70,000 to £80,000 and go it alone.