Andy Cairns of Thongsbridge is relishing another crack at the Champion of Champions after winning the Huddersfield Merit title at Huddersfield RUFC BC.

The Greater Manchester county man beat former champion Steven Hirst of Netherton Con 21-10 in the showpiece sponsored by Total Food Service Solutions.

He’s now in line for the Champion of Champions on Sunday, October 5, and determined to go one better than last year when he lost in that final to John Metcalfe of Moldgreen at Broad Oak.

“I’m absolutely delighted to win the Huddersfield Merit, which is a really prestigious competition and one which all the lads want to win,” said Rossendale-based Cairns, 40, who works as an examinations officer at a secondary school.

“It was even more pleasing because I’d had a bit of a disappointment the previous day when losing the final of the Greater Manchester Merit 21-10 – the second time that’s happened to me in that final – so I was really going for it in the Huddersfield and treating it as a chance to get back on the horse, so to speak.

“I’ve been bowling in Huddersfield for only a couple of seasons, so to win the Merit is great and I’m glad to have another go at the Champion of Champions at the end of the season.

“John played really well and beat me in that last year and, with being a bit of an outsider I don’t tend to get a lot of support, which makes life awkward, so it does make it enjoyable to win in Yorkshire and the Champion of Champions is definitely a final I’d like to go one better in.”

A target this summer is the Subscription Cup title with Thongsbridge, who he also represents in the Mirfield League, while he’s defending the Meltham Cup Pairs title with Mike Sweeney.

Cairns has also qualified for the All England final at Cleckheaton next month and he’s hoping to help Thongsbridge progress in the Yorkshire Cup.

“Playing in the Huddersfield League is a very good standard, and you always want to play at the best level you can,” added the man who is partner of Yorkshire Ladies player Carron McGrath and who is also a member at Linthwaite Hall and the Griffin.

“Strangely enough, I didn’t start playing very well at all in the Huddersfield Merit – my first bowl was about 19 yards off against Terry Brook in what proved a very scrappy match, but I was very happy to see it through in the end.”

Cairns defeated Crosland Moor’s Brook 21-18 in the first round before knocking out Dave Fox of Kirkheaton Con 21-4 in the last eight.

“Terry and myself have very contrasting styles and we just couldn’t follow each other, so there were some very loose bowls,” he explained.

“I just scrambled home and then I was up against Dave Fox, who I know is a very good player and someone I respect, having played in the Inter-district team last year.

“It was a case of knowing I needed my ‘A game’ and fortunately that’s what I produced – it’s probably the best I’ve played all season.”

Crosland Moor’s Gary Siswick was beaten 21-19 in the semi-finals, before he went on to take the £250 winners’ cheque.

“In the semi-final I got quite a big early lead, something like 11-3 and I was playing well, continuing my form from the second game,” said Cairns.

“Gary then started playing better and beating good bowls and he managed to get himself in front, so I had to dig deep and battle through for the win.

“There was one end where he should have got in, really, but he left me a cheap two and, apart from that, it was very close bowling and I was pleased to win.

“In the final I knew I had it all on against Steven, who is a bit of a legend in Huddersfield having won everything there is to win, so it was just a matter of knuckling down.

“I was really determined because of what had happened in the Greater Manchester and really motivated by that, so it made up for that disappointment and I was absolutely delighted to win the title.”

First round: Roy Nicholson (Lower Hopton) 13 Gary Siswick (Crosland Moor) 21, Michael Sweeney (Canalside) 21 Andrew Heaume (Canalside) 6, Terry Brook (Crosland Moor) 18 Andy Cairns (Thongsbridge) 21, Dave Fox (Kirkheaton Con) 21 Mark Sykes (Lindley Lib) 8, Steven Haigh (Meltham) 11 Steven Hirst (Netherton) 21, Danny Kilburn (Kirkheaton Con) 21 Matt Humpleby (Marsh Utd) 14, Steve Lunn (Waterloo) 15 Nick White (Thongsbridge) 21, Mick Armitage (Linthwaite CBC) 12 John Metcalfe (Moldgreen) 21.

Quarter-finals: Siswick 21 Sweeney 16, Cairns 21 Fox 4, Hirst 21 Kilburn 9, White 21 Metcalfe 19.

Semi-finals: Siswick 19 Cairns 21, Hirst 21 White 15.

Final: Cairns 21 Hirst 10.

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