PAUL SIGSWORTH proved that he is in a league of his own after winning the Huddersfield Crown Green Bowling Association’s Champion of Champions title once again.

And the manner in which the Netherton Conservative Club ace stormed to victory in Sunday’s sunny showdown, was emphatic.

Sigsworth last claimed the title in 2005, following a previous success in 2003, and has been runner-up in 2004 and 2006.

En-route to his first prize pay-out of £200 plus trophy in the Armitage Leisure Services-sponsored event, Sigsworth played four games and took three of his opponents off for single figures at Marsh United (winners of the best green award).

And with his victory he could well have set a unique treble having won the Huddersfield Merit, which for a long time set a curse on the Champion of Champions, the Mirfield Merit and now the Champion of Champions crown.

Runner-up Andrew Wike had no answer in the final as Sigsworth powered his way to a 21-9 victory.

But Wike wasn’t alone.

In the first round Sigsworth beat Colin Lloyd (Works Handicap) 21-9 before showing no mercy against Richard Mozley (Summer Handicap) winning 21-1.

But he came up against some resistance when playing Vic Sugden winner Alan Crowther in the semi-final.

Crowther, secretary of the Colne Valley Bowling League, led 8-6 before Sigsworth began to turn the screw.

A 10-break launched him into a 16-8 lead before it was halted when Crowther scored a pair.

But Sigsworth hit back to lead 20-10, Crowther responded with four consecutive singles, but couldn’t prevent the 21-14 scoreline.

In the bottom half of the draw, Wike was making solid progress.

After edging past former British Veterans champion Roy Sutton (Over 70s) 21-20, Wike beat another ‘super vet’ Trevor Barker (Veterans Rosebowl) 21-14.

And in his semi-final against Spring Handicap winner Adam Beaumont, he could have been forgiven if he wanted to nurse his woods back to life, after they took some hammer by Beaumont’s frequent and aggressive striking, but he still ended up losing 21-5.

And, as the late sun cast long shadows across the superb Marsh United green, the atmosphere was quiet, despite a large crowd, but they were treated to a masterclass as they watched one of game’s modern legends reeling in his final prey of the day and run out a 21-9 champion of the event.

Huddersfield Veterans Bowling Association’s final competition of the season – the Perry’s Championship play-off – takes place at Lindley Liberal Club, on Thursday (2.00).

Access to the green for spectators is via the gate opposite the football pitch on Daisy Lea Lane.

Bowling referees are urgently needed according to Joan Wrigley who co-ordinates seminars.

To learn the laws of the game and to assist in passing the BCGRS examination, seminars will be held on Mondays, November 10, 17 and 24 7.30pm at Hove Edge BC, Halifax Road, Hove Edge, Brighouse, HD6 2QJ. Candidates then have chance to sit an exam on Saturday, November 29 at 10.00am, or an alternative date and time can be arranged if necessary.

Further information and application forms can be obtained from seminar coordinator: Joan Wrigley, 167 Upper Clough Road, Linthwaite, Huddersfield, HD7 5PQ, or call 01484 842246.

Winter bowling action gets under way at the Griffin on Sunday, with the first competition of the season.

Eddie Haigh sponsors the sixteen (start 11.30) and the winner receives £70.

Any members wanting to enter sixteens throughout the season should contact Frank Greenwood on 07734 689775.

First round: (odds in brackets) P Sigsworth (7/4) v M J Sykes (16/1), R Brook (10/1) v F Greenwood (16/1), P Ramsden (25/1) v E Haigh (10/1), P Kain (5/1) v T Holmes (25/1), A Crowther (16/1) v D Reeves (12/1), R Wormald (6/1) v R Sutton (14/1), M Bramall (5/1) v G Senior (16/1), M Higgins (16/1) v M Wood (20/1).