ROLLS Royce won the Skipton Hire Centre Clarkson Cup for the first time in 36 years after a thrilling final at Addingham.

They defeated Sutton A 230-214 in a match where they received a 40-point handicap start.

The early games were always going to be important and both teams put their three best players in the firing line.

Sutton were given a great start with skipper David Cadwallader beating Jenny Whitaker 21-3.

Rolls responded with Brent Taylforth rolling back the years and producing a 21-10 win over Andrew Tate.

David Turner and Kevin Mackie had a good close game, with Turner just getting the better of Mackie 21-17.

The closet game saw Steve Hounslow just out do Peter Hepworth 21-20 as Rolls dropped just two points from four games.

Rolls skipper Steven Naylor went down to Billy Carter 21-11 and Sutton’s Craig Smith put Paul Sharples in the big corners for a 21-4 win, that closed the gap to 11 points.

The Rolls couple of Jean and Robert Holden swung the game back in their side’s favour as Jean beat Chris Bridge 21-17, while husband Bob produced a 21-10 win over Dennis Mackie.

That left Rolls last two players to get nine each, but Ken Simmons soon found himself in trouble against Jason Jennings and did well to claw his way back to only lose 21-20.

Neil Whitaker was all at seas against Guy Green and lost 21-12, but Rolls had done enough to win the cup for the first time since 1982.

Cononley A overcame the handicap of giving rivals Whinfield B 110 start as they triumphed 220-209 in the SHC Supplementary Cup final at Colne Legion. Cononley needed to pull back big points early and they did just that. Whinfield needed to find a good result, it was not forthcoming.

Whinfield’s last hope disappeared when Cononley skipper Tony Finn proved to be to strong for Lee Procter 21-5.

That left Graham Sharp having a very good game with Kevin Scott who bowled very well to just go down 21-20.

The Dick Keighley Cup will take place this Sunday at Gargrave Bowling Club with a 12.30 pm start, entries still required contact the secretary.

The Norman Johnston Trophy qualifying round is on Wednesday 6.45pm. The final will be on Wednesday, September 19 with a 6.30pm.

PETER HAWORTH