Kirkheaton Con's Neil Jones made full use of his knowledge of his former home green to win the Huddersfield Crown Green Bowling Association’s Autumn Handicap at Almondbury Liberal Club.
The 52-year-old was a class above the other competitors and he saved his best performance for the final when he beat former clubmate Michael Martin, of Canalside, 21-9.
Jones bowled for Almondbury Lib for 27 years and expressed regret that he hadn’t achieved this maiden victory while competing for Almondbury Lib as the club is still very close to his heart.
Jones has made it to several finals days previously, but had never got beyond the quarter-finals before.
He wondered if perhaps the change of fortune was because this was the first time he had not backed himself with the bookies.
The superb display he produced left most of the crowd wishing they’d taken advantage of the 10/1 odds on offer at the start of the day.
In his speech he thanked all the volunteers and the officials of the Huddersfield CGBA, and also said that he is looking forward to the Champion of Champions at Broad Oak BC on Sunday, October 6.
Scores, first round: N Slattery (Longwood) 21 C Taylor (Linthwaite Hall) 12, K Spencer-Halsall (Canalside) 21 D Beeby (Canalside) 18, A Cooper (Moldgreen) 12 N Jones (Kirkheaton Con) 21, P Ingleby (Lockwood Con) 12 A Daykin (Netherton) 21, J Allen (Lindley BC) 14 A Wike (Almondbury Lib) 21, T Marren (Lockwood Con) 21 W Dews (Netherton) 9, M Martin (Canalside) 21 N Oakes (Newsome) 12, R Dunford (Canalside) 18 A Douglas (Canalside) 21.
Quarter-finals: Slattery 21 Spencer-Halsall 19, Jones 21 Daykin 12, Wike 12 Marren 21, Martin 21 Douglas 12.
Semi-finals: Slattery 14 Jones 21, Marren 18 Martin21.
Final: Slattery 21 Martin 9
