Ryedale | Archive | 2003 | August | 06
From the Gazette & Herald, first published Wednesday 6th Aug 2003.
PICKERING'S Paul Humphreys, 17, added to his growing list of successes last Saturday when he won the inaugural under-18s crown at the 36th York Annual Open Bowls Tournament.
England squad trialist Humphreys, who has already won both indoor and outdoor Yorkshire under-25 titles, beat a strong field of competitors from across the county, culminating in his 21-8 win over Stephen Long.
Having beaten Michael Ollis, of York, in the semi-final, Paul, who plays for Pickering Bowls Club, took an early 7-4 lead against Long, of Haxby Road BC. In a thrilling clash, Long put up dogged resistance but had no answer to the consistency of Humphreys.
Tournament committee chairman, Alistair Sugden, making the presentation of the trophies, praised the overall high standard of the junior competition, particularly the impressive performance of Humphreys in the final.
The win capped a successful few days at the York tournament for Humphreys, which began with his performance in the Men's Pairs, when he partnered ten-year-old Scott Burrell, of Kingston BC, Hull. With a combined age of only 27, the lads secured their first victory against Andy Richardson, of York Police BC, and John Rae, from Scotland.
On the second day, they had a convincing win against Alistair Sugden and Ralph Tiplady, both from York clubs. Despite the pouring rain, the lads put in a most impressive performance, with Burrell particularly effective at lead, to go through to the last 16.
There they faced Gordon Walker, of Hull Road Park BC, and John Berridge, of Bert Keech BC. After a shaky start, which saw Walker and Berridge 22-11 up, the young pair mounted a spirited fightback to 23-20 with one end to play. Humphreys fired the jack into the ditch and lay two shots, needing one more shot to force an extra end. With his last wood, Humphreys drew to the edge of the ditch, only to see his wood tip over at the last moment, handing the match to Walker and Berridge, who went on to lose in the semi-final stages.
Paul's next appearance at the tournament was in Thursday's Men's Singles event. A convincing win in the first round against Terry Wheatley, of Scarcroft BC, saw Humphreys through to face Paul Baker of Rowntrees BC. In a tight game, the Pickering player eventually won 21-17. In the last 16, Humphreys showed great determination against Trevor Quainton, of Selby BC, to fight back from 9-6 down to 17-10 up, only to see Quainton come back to within one shot. With Humphreys 20-19 up going into the last end, his last wood pulled up just inches short, leaving two shots to Quainton, who went on into the quarter-finals.
Updated: 11:24 Wednesday, August 06, 2003
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