Mytholmroyd’s Austin makes a second successful raid on Elland

Clive Austin bowls in his crunch match against Mark Regan last weekend

The Mytholmroyd BC bowler beat Ripponden’s Malcolm Griffiths by 21-20 in the final.

It was Austin’s second success at the venue this season following his capture of the Halifax League’s Merit title.

Austin began where he had left off in June, winning his opener, against Siddal’s Darren Hickey, by 21-9.

He started with break of six against Ian Crossland of Kingston SC and although Crossland narrowed the gap to 9-11, Austin went on to win by 21-12.

In his quarter-final, against Mark Regan of Brighouse Sports, Austin led 7-1. Regan levelled at 13 and edged ahead 16-14. After the scores were tied at 18 and 19, singles at the last two ends secured a narrow victory for Austin.

Martin Steele of Akroydon Victoria was Austin’s semi-final opponent and he led 8-3 before Austin made a break of 10. Steele was still in it at 15-17 but Austin won 21-16.

Griffiths made after a tentative start to his opening game, against Bob Hiley of Asa Briggs, but took control with a break of seven and won 21-11.

He then took a 14-0 lead against West End’s Bernard Megson on his way to a 21-9 victory.

In the semi-final, against Brian Hildred of Laurel Crescent, he led by 16-8. Hildred narrowed the gap to 15-16 but consecutive pairs helped Griffiths win by 21-16.

Little separated Austin and Griffiths throughout the final. Griffiths took advantage of his three start to lead 7-4 but Austin edged ahead 8-7.

Griffiths went 11-10 up but Austin made two pairs and extended his lead to 17-12.

Griffiths drew level at 18 and then matches an Austin pair before Austin scraped home at the decisive end.

Quarter-final scores: M. Griffiths 21 B. Megson 9; A. Forrest 19 B. Hildred 21; M. Steele 21 I. Smith 14; C. Austin 21 M. Regan 19

Luddenden Foot face an uphill battle to preserve Division One status in the Halifax League.

They were at Hill Crest last night, having only managed a 6-6 home draw with the Sowerby Bridge side last week.

They had six of the 10 individual winners but lost the two bonus points by 174-171.

Foot were joint bottom with Sowerby West End and nine behind last night’s foes.

Foot’s last four fixtures are home and away contests against the section’s third and fourth-placed sides, Brighouse Sports and Crossroads.

Mytholmroyd and Todmorden were fifth and sixth respectively in the table, separated by five points.