ADDINGHAM was the venue for the final Skipton & District competition of the season, the Norman Johnston Trophy final.

Holder Neil Hargreaves was one of the eight players qualifying at Silsden Playing Fields last Wednesday, but the draw handed him a tough quarter-final against Peter Clark.

It proved to be a quality match with both players bowling well. Hargreaves held a narrow 14-12 lead, then Clark put together a good break to lead 19-14.

Hargreaves came back strongly, but Clark just held on to move into the semi-final 21-18. David Precious had been bowling well in the Floodlight League and he needed to keep up his form as he took on David Jacques. It proved to be a tight game throughout with Precious just getting home 21-19.

Devon bowler Mark Adams was looking for good draw, but unfortunately David Scott was his quarter-final opponent.

The match was close fought at 7-7 but then Scott found his favourite long corner and the game was up for Adams as he lost 21-10.

Keighley’s Sharon Gadd knocked out Richard Hargreaves in the qualifying round and was hoping to produce the same form.

David Leeming was in no mood to become another scalp for Gadd and soon had a big lead which he converted into a 21-12 win.

Scott looked like a man on a mission as he brushed Precious aside in a one-sided semi-final. Scott’s corner bowling was spot on and Precious could find no answer as he went down 21-6.

The other semi-final looked like being a similar story as Leeming was in top form against Clark.

Leeming was bowling really well but Clark kept his opponent to single scores.

Leeming was not letting go of the jack as he built up a 16-7 lead, but once Clark got hold of it the complexion of the match changed.

Six doubles put him into a 20-19 lead, but Leeming should have made two at the next end to win the match.

He only managed one to level at 20-20. A poor last end saw Clark win the measure to go through.

The was a tactical affair as Scott went straight for the corners to establish an 8-3 lead.

Clark got the jack and changed the mark before heading for the other long corner.

The move caught Scott out as Clark bowled them well and swung the game round to lead 14-10.

Scott came back to level at 15-15 in a good match, but Clark just had enough in the tank to get home 21-17, to take his first Norman Johnston title.