TREVOR BARKER, of Milnsbridge BC, won a thrilling final to claim the Huddersfield Veterans League Rosebowl.

Barker pipped John Garside, of Golcar Liberal Club, by a single point to claim the trophy and the £160 winner’s cheque.

In a nip and tuck final, the lead changed hands eight times with Garside taking an early 7-3 lead. But from then on, no more than two points separated the finalists before Barker scored a decisive pair to win 21-20.

In the first round Garside, playing off a handicap of five, accounted for Dave Burnand (Waterloo), off scratch, 21-7 while Barker (2) beat last year’s winner, Brian Starkey (scr) (Lockwood Con) 21-11.

In the semi-finals Garside beat Graham Illingworth (Milnsbridge BC) 21-16 while in the other semi, Patrick Carrig (Bradley and Colne) came back from 18-10 down to within a point before Barker got the necessary three points.

A bumper crowd turned up to support in the Marsh United hosted event despite the showery weather and president Jim Sharland thanked them for their support.

Ian Armitage, of Armitage Leisure Services, presented the prizes with the semi-finalists receiving T-shirts and the runner-up and winner waterproof jackets.

First round: John Garside (Golcar Lib) (5) 21 Dave Burnand (Waterloo) (scr) 7, Roy Tipple (Marsh Utd) (scr) 18 Graham Illingworth (Milnsbridge BC) (2) 21, Trevor Barker (Milnsbridge BC) (2) 21 Brian Starkey (Lockwood Con) (scr) 11, Patrick Carrig (Bradley and Colne) (4) 21 Ted Ingham (Thongsbridge) (7) 13.

Semi-final: Garside 21 Illingworth 16, Barker 21 Carrig 17.

Final: Garside 20 Barker 21.