ALNWICK lady bowlers will again be represented at the national finals at Lemington in Warwickshire later in the year.
Yvonne Turner, Susan Ratcliffe and Joyce Harper (s) reached the finals of the Northumberland Ladies championship and as a result
automatically qualify for a trip to the Mecca of ladies bowling.
In the semi-final they beat a team from Whitley and Monkseaton by two shots.
Alnwick men have also had their successes. For the first time in six years, they have got through to the finals of the Northumberland Bell Cup for private clubs and now play Portland in the final.
On the Berwick green, Alnwick had a good day ending up with six points while behind them were Spittal, Morpeth St George's and Berwick on four points and Tweedmouth on two points.
With a blank week in the Northumberland Bowling Association Clegg Cup B Division Alnwick's only county league fixture was against Backworth in the Nines in which they were unbeaten until they met last year champions, who proved too powerful, running out 7-1 winners.
The North Northumberland League saw a thumping 8-0 home win over Lesbury to get back on the winning track.
In the Ronnie Shepherd open pairs losing semi-finalists were Alan Tait with George Heron and Roger Turnbull with John Hume
Two husband and wife teams contested the top spot with Dorothy and Ray Topping coming out ahead of Mavis and Ken Liddle, who won the competition last year.
Sunday's open triples was a hotly-contested competition for the Grouse trophy, sponsored by the whisky company.
Winners of each section contested the final and after 36 ends George Turner, John Weddell and Dougie Miller won the A section while the B section was won by Roger Turnbull, Ken Liddle and John Hume, who ran out winners in the final.
In friendlies, Alnwick lost to Ponteland 82-69 but they had an unusual result, drawing with Gosforth 63-63.
The ladies have been enjoying mixed start in their County league with the following results: Alnwick 77 Backworth 31, Alnwick 42 Morpeth 57, Alnwick 39 Blyth Park 62, Alnwick 47 Amble 48, and Alnwick 52 Hexham 41.
Alnwick ladies lost to Ponteland in the 'top team' double rink 38-45 and in a friendly game against Wooler 80-50.
