It was his third final in succession, having won two previously. For his opponent Ken Liddle, it was also his third final although he has yet to win the ultimate club prize.

John was more consistent throughout the game while Ken struggled to find line and length and the former ran out the winner 21-8.

The trophy was presented afterwards by club president Michael Inkster, who said conditions had not been easy.

There was consolation for Ken on Monday night when he won the Beatty Pairs – playing with last year's president Michael Grant, he beat Robin Wilson and David Quean.

The TE Hall Sunday triple was a close-run affair with two teams finishing on level points.

The winners in the end were Roger Turnbull, David Quean and Jack Atkinson who had a better short return than Mavis Liddle, Geoff Mills and Ken Liddle.

Other finalists were John Levy, David Wilkinson and Russ Dale and Joyce Harper, Bob Hilsden and Tommy Hutchinson.

In the Lindsey trophy, two teams finished on six points each, after good days bowling, and David Wilkinson and Ray Topping won on shots from John Levy and president Michael Inkster.

In the Northumberland Bowling Association Clegg Cup, Alnwick are doomed to relegation to the second division after a poor season. They were again on the wrong end of a 2-12 victory, this time losing out to Cramlington.

With so many games delayed in the Nines competition there is still hope that they will retain their Division One status.

They lost out to Backworth 6-2 but won by a similar score against High Heaton.

In a friendly match they lost to near neighbours Wooler by 98 shots to 79