YOUNG Jack Humpleby of Shepley BC beat an even younger Billy Jakeman of Brockholes 11-8 in the final of the first ever Steve Batler Memorial Cup.
It is run by the Huddersfield Junior Association and sponsored by Chris Batler and The Ken Davy Fund.
Humpleby just beat Marsh Lib homester Rhys Kelly 11-10 in his first-round game, and had another tough battle against Broad Oak’s Thomas Mozley, winning 11-9, to reach the final.
Jakeman beat Almondbury BC’s Faye Johnson 11-8 in another thrilling game and then Dominic Fairclough of Marsh Lib 11-7 (after being 6-1 down) to reach the final.
The final was close run, with both players exchanging the jack up to 6-6, but Humpleby had a run of four to put him 10-6 up and, although Jakeman tried to come back, the winner nailed the last point of the match.
Junior secretary Geoff Martin congratulated the players for their wonderful behaviour and sportsmanship, and said they were a credit to the game and their clubs.
He thanked Marsh Liberal Club for their hospitality, and the sponsors – Chris Batler and The Ken Davy Fund.
Quarter-finals – Faye Johnson (Almondbury Bowling Club) 8 Billy Jakeman (Brockholes Bowling Club) 11, Elliot Heap (Broad Oak Bowling Club) 2 Dominic Fairclough (Marsh Liberal Club) 11, Jack Humpleby (Shepley Bowling Club) 11 Rhys Kelly (Marsh Liberal Club) 10, Chris Taylor (Brockholes Bowling Club) 5 Thomas Mozley (Broad Oak Bowling Club) 11.
Semi-finals – Jakeman 11 Fairclough 7, Humpleby 11 Mozley 9.
Final – Jakeman 8 Humpleby 11.
It’s the quarter-finals of the Junior Team Knockout this Saturday.
Sponsored by Steve Halsall and Canalside Sports Club, the semi-finals and final will be held at Canalside on Friday, September 7 (6.30).
Draw: Penistone BC (SCR) v Shepley BC (36) at Brockholes BC, Almondbury Lib (36) v Kirkheaton Con A (12) at Newsome WMC, Almondbury Bowling Club (48) v Kirkheaton Con B (18) (last years winners) at Marsh Lib, Brockholes (30) v Broad Oak BC (24) at Almondbury Lib.
