Durham v Northumberland at The Parks (North Shields)
Saturday 25th October 2008 starting at 12.00noon

National Champion Durham starts its defence of the trophy it won so magnificently at Nottingham IBC last season with an away tie with near neighbours Northumberland. In choosing the team for this match the Selectors have stayed loyal to the squad who performed so well when winning the Trophy with the exception of two new faces, Clive Black, Hartlepool and Stephen Harvey, Stanley.

Under 25 International Trial, Kingsthorpe IBC, Sunday 19th October 2008

The EIBA have identified 52 young bowlers for a trial for the National U25 Team. Congratulations to the four Durham County IBA bowlers who have have been selected.

These are:-

Robert Chisholm, Stanley,
Phil Harvey, Stanley,
Dominic Byrne, South Shields and
Shaun McIntosh, South Shields

EIBA introduce Inter-County Knockout Competition for 2008/9

Durham County IBA has been a successful supporter of over 60s inter county league competitions for many years with its participation in both the Midlands and the Northern Counties Leagues. When approached last year by the EIBA about the feasibility of a new national over 60s competition it was quick to wholeheartedly back the idea.

There was lots of support for the proposals from other Counties, too, and the EIBA has introduce for the 2008/2009 Season a national inter-county championship competition for players who have attained the age of 60 which will be called the 'Over 60 Inter County League'. It will be a competition open to all English County Associations to enter teams of 6 rinks of four players and in its first year 17 counties will compete.

Initially all the participating Counties will be split into four geographical groups to play in preliminary mini-leagues on a round robin basis 3 rinks home and 3 rinks away. Each group winner will then go forward to compete in the knock-out stage of the competition.

For the initial mini-league stage Durham have been grouped with other Northern Counties, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria.

Use the 'Seniors (Over 60)' link on the menu for more information.

Rules and Draw

DCiba's AGM was held at Houghton Dairy Lane Bowls Club, Houghton le Spring, on Thursday, 1st May

To precis what was a long meeting. The following are some of the main points.

1. Chairman, Keith Hartley, was able to report that the County was able to look back with pleasure and satisfaction to a successful season. The Liberty Trophy had been won for a record 9th time and, uniquely, two bowlers from the County had contested the National Singles Final.

2.The following rule changes were adopted
a) Inter-CLub League matches will be played on second Sunday each month to avoid clashes with Egham Competition.
b) In both Inter-Club and Veterans leagues the defaulting team only will be penalised when it fails to fulfil a fixture not both teams. The penalty will be suspension.

3. Dave Morgan, Secretary and Treasurer, was made an Honorary Life Member.

4. Vacancies for 3 selector positions were not filled.

5 Durham retained the Northern Counties Championship

6. Ben Crosby on behalf of Vice Presidents Select team presented a cheque for £750.00 to the Association.

Keith Hartley,President, receives Seniors Northern Counties Trophy from Vice-President Eric Weightman	Ben Crosby, Vice-Presidents Select Secretary, hands £750 cheque to President, Keith Hartley .