Berkshire take BE triples crown

The Royal County of Berkshire were crowned National Triples Champions following an enthralling final end decider amongst a packed crowd 16-13.

Scott Winskill, Mark Hancock and Andrew Knapper from the Tilehurst Bowls Club in Berkshire defeated Kevin Harrison, Mark Irwin and Stuart Irwin, from Aspatria BC, Cumbria 16-13.  However Knapper and co trailed their northern counterparts for two thirds of the match 3-9, 7-10 and 10-12 before producing some remarkable shots to pull back and take the lead 13-12 at 15 ends.

Irwin and co scored a single to resume the lead at 13-12 however with the jack in the ditch on the final and 18^th end and holding game Knapper produced two bowls within 18 inches of the ditch to claim a remarkable victory.

Results:
Quarter-finals:
Aspatria, Cumb (S Irwin) bt South Derbyshire, Derbs (J Arnett) 22-8;
Kings, Devon (H Goodwin) bt Cheltenham, Glos (M Cuthbert) 22-14;
Gerrards Cross, Bucks (K Smith) bt Harpenden, Herts (T Muir) 16-6;
Spencer Moulton, Wilts (G Shadwell) 18-11

Semi-Final:
Aspatria, Cumb (S Irwin) bt Kings, Devon (H Goodwin) 18-11.

Tilehurst, Berks (A Knapper) bt Gerrards Cross, Bucks (K Smith) 18-10;

Final:

Tilehurst, Berks (A Knapper) bt Aspatria, Cumb (S Irwin) 16-13