Following the Liberty Trials, Executive Committee met at Houghton Dairy Lane on Mon &Tues 26/27th October 2009 .

Durham County IBA Annual General Meeting
Houghton Dairy Lane Bowls Club, Thurs 14th May 2009

The Executive

Dave Roberts, Keith Hartley, Ben Crosby, Eric Weightman, Dave Morgan, Alan Cooper

Eric Weightman, Vice-President, was elected President following the retirement of Keith Hartley after 3 years in office and Dave Roberts, Gt Aycliffe, was elected as Vice-President.

Durham County IBA Seniors Presentation Evening
Stanley IBC, Fri 24th April 2009 at 7.30pm

Members of the Seniors squad, officers and supporters attended Stanley IBC to receive badges and bars to commemorate a very successful season. The team won 3 competitions. In particular President Keith Hartley higlighted that in the 6 years it had played in the Midlands Counties League it had won the competition 4 times. This was an impressive record when all but one match each year was played away from home. This involved, on occasion, travelling up to 200 each way.

The Presentation was preceded by Stanley IBC Finals matches and followed by a buffet..

Doshi Cup Final, County U21 Pairs Championship
Stanley IBC, Mon 20th April 2009

The Final of the County Under 21 Pairs competition was held at Stanley IBC on Mon 21st April 2009. Competing were Emily Maher and Josh Halcrow from South Shields IBC and Philip Dixon and Gary Farquahar from Sunderland IBC. There was a marked disparity in both age and size between the two teams but this did not affect the quality of the bowling with both sides evenly matched in the early part of the game. In paricular 11 years old Josh Halcrow showed a maturity beyond his years. After the South Shields pair dropped a 7 the Sunderland lads took full advantage to go on and win the event.

Durham County IBA Annual General Meeting
Houghton Dairy Lane Bowls Club, Thurs 14th May 2009 at 7.30pm

Club delegates are invited to attend the Meeting and ordinary playing members of associated clubs are also welcome although they will not be allowed to vote. Details have already been sent to all relevant parties but for any others attending copies of the agenda and other papers will be available on the night.

Please note that the original date for the Meeting - 7th May - has been changed.

Play-offs

Semi-final, Tues. 14th April at Stanley IBC at 1.30pm (whites)

Final, Thurs. 16th April at Stanley IBC at 10.30am (whites)

Keith Hartley with 'Top Team' Cup

Stanley IBC won the award for top team after a week long tournament at Potters Leisure Resort - home of the World Bowls Championships - on Friday 27th March 2009

Champion of Champions Finals (Open age range), Hartlepool IBC
Saturday, 21st March 2009

Mark Jones, Darlington County Singles Champion

Stanley, County Fours Champions left to right: Dave Webb, John Thurlbeck (skip), Steve Krimpen,Keith Hartley (County President) and Phil Smithson

Sunday, 22nd March 2009

Mark Jones , County Singles Champion left to right: Alan Cooper, Mark Jones, Keith Hartley (County President) and Phil Payne

Champion of Champions Finals (Seniors),
Hartlepool IBC 11th March 2009

Joe Flett, Keith Hartley and Ray Dent (winner)

Team and Result for Northern Counties League match against Lancashire at Darlington IBC on Wed 11th Feb 09

Team and Result chosen for MIdlands Counties League match against Yorkshire at New Earswick IBC (York) on Thurs 19th Feb 09

Seniors continue winning sequence in Midlands League

The Seniors team had a successful visit to Rugby to play a strong Warwickshire side in this Midlands League tie on 27th January. The journey to Rugby is the longest in the calendar and involves over 10 hours travelling for some of the team.
Following last month's win against Leicestershire this 14-8 success keeps the team on track to regain the title.

Successful double heart by-pass for County Indoor Secretary

County Indoor Secretary Dave Morgan finally had his double heart by-pass operation yesterday, Tues 6th January, at James Cook Hospital, Middlesborough. I'm very pleased to report that it was a complete success and Davey has responded well. At present he is still in the Intensive Care Unit which is quite normal at this stage after such major surgery but if he continues to improve he will be transferred to a Ward within a few days.

Dave Morgan

National Under 25 Singles Championship
at Melton Mowbray IBC, Fri 27th - Saturday 28th Dec 2008

In what must have been one of the most exciting weeks in his young bowling career Robert Chisholm of Stanley IBC followed his Senior England Trial a week previously with an appearance in the Final Stages of the National Under 25 Singles Championship at Melton Mowbray IBC.

As the winner of the Area 2 district where he beat Dominic Byrne, S Shields, in the Final he went forward to represent the Area in the Final Stages last week-end. These finals are played in sets on the basis of the winner of the best of three sets progressing.

In 1st round Chisholm beat Ross Knox, Desborough 2-0, in 2nd he won 2-1 against Wayne Snook, North Wilts. Next was the Quarter Final where he met Simon Barnard, Taunton, winning 2-0 and in the Semi-Final the opponent was Joe Kelly, Oyster but the result again was a victory 2-1.

Going into the Final against Dean Tute from Lincoln IBC Robert had high expectations and the match was a real corker which required a tie-break to resolve. Unfortunately the result went against him but he had played a magnificent series.Finishing as the National Under 25 Singles Championship runner-up was a disappointment of course for him. However he continues to make a name for himself at the highest level and he was a real credit to himself and the Stanley club throughout.

Robert Chisholm, National Under 25 Singles Finalist

Senior International Team for BIIBC International Series
at Belfast IBC, Fri 20th - Sunday 22nd March 2009

Following the recent Trial the England team has now been announced and four bowlers from the Durham County IBA Liberty Trophy team have been included. Glenn Skipp and Mark O'Riordan from Hartlepool have been England regulars in recent years and together with Stanley's Brett Arkley are again selected.

No surpise is the choice of Gary R Smith, current National Singles Champion and previously an International for many years. He is recalled to Skip a rink which includes Brett Arkley, Andrew Ware and Billy Jackson. There was also a squad place for current Junior International, Robert Chisholm, who is in as a reserve.

Glenn Skipp		Gary R Smith		Mark O'Riordan
		Senior England International Team Members 2009 and Junior International Rob Chisholm
Brett Arkley				Robert Chisholm

Senior International Trial
Sunday, 21st December 2008 at Northampton IBC starting at 1.00pm

There was recognition for the high standards achieved by some members of the Durham County IBA Liberty Trophy team who have been selected to take part in the Senior England International Trial at Northampron this weekend.

Mark O'Riordan and Glenn Skipp from Hartlepool regular members of the England team for the las few years are named.

Brett Arkley, Stanley, who broke into the team last year is again included and club colleague Gary R Smith, current National Singles Champion, who was a skip for England for many years until he withdrew due to other commitments has been recalled to skip a rink which includes clubmate Brett Arkley.

Robert Chisholm also from Stanley has earned his chance of a place at Senior level following his successes for England Under 25s.

Durham v Lancashire
Wednesday 3rd December 2008 at Blackpool Borough IBC

In this second match in the Northern League Durham continued the defence of its title with a fine win 5-3 rinks, and 9 -3 points. There are two matches remaining, both at home, and if the team can maintain this form the title will be secured

Team scores:
Durham
Won 5 rinks, score 183
Yorkshire
Won 3 rink , score 131.

Result: Durham 9 points, Yorkshire 3 points

Next game is in Over 60s KO Cup against Yorkshire at Darlington IBC on 7th January 2009

Durham v Yorkshire
Thursday 20th November 2008 at Scarborough IBC

In this first match in the Northern League 2008-9 Season, Durham produced an excellent team performance to outplay their hosts Yorkshire.

Team scores:
Durham
Won 6 rinks, tied 1 rink score 180
Yorkshire
Won 1 rink , tied 1 rink score 126.

Result: Durham 10.5 points, Yorkshire 1.5 points

Next game is against Lancashire Seniors at Blackpool Borough IBC on Wed 3rd December 2008

Durham v Northumberland at South Shields IBC and at The Parks (N ShieldsIBC)
Sunday 16th November 2008

The Under 25s campaign came to an end with this defeat against neighbours Northumberland. The score was Durham 27 - Northumberland 41

Home rink: S McIntosh 17 v 15 C Yeomans; Away rink: R Chisholm 10 v 26 D Parkes

Durham v Lincolnshire at Spalding
Second round match
Saturday 15th November 2008

Team

Durham v Cumbria
Tuesday 28th October 2008

Durham lost this the second group match and of the four teams - Durham, Lancs, Yorks and Cumbria - in this northern group Cumbria is now the favourite to go forward to the Semi-Finals with two wins with one match tp be played.

Team scores:
Away (at Cumbria IBC)
Durham won 0 rinks and lost 3, score 42- 72, Durham 0 points, Cumbria 10 points.
Home ( at Darlington IBC)
Durham won 1 rinks and lost 2, score 62 - 59, Durham 6 points and Cumbria 4 points.
Overall aggregate 104 - 131 Cumbria 6 pts
Result: Cumbria 20 points, Durham 6 points

Next game is against Yorkshire on 7th January 2009

Durham v Leicestershire
Wednesday 12th November 2008 at Darlington IBC

This was the first match in the 2008-9 Season and Durham had an ideal start with a solid performance to beat the visitors Leicestershire.
Durham want to regain the Midlands League Championship which they lost last season and this win has provided the best possible base.

Team scores:
Durham (at Darlington IBC)
Won 5 rinks, score 194
Leicestershire
Won 3 rinks , score 138.

Result: Durham 16 points, Leicestershire 6 points

Next game is against Yorkshire Seniors at Scarborough on Thurs 20th November2008