Helliwell's run goes on
Helliwell beat Tony Beeden by 21-19 in the final of the Quality Stoves-sponsored competition to win the event for a second time.
On a day notable for high quality bowling and tight finishes, 1998 winner Helliwell opened against another former winner, Robert Holmes. I
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Hide AdHelliwell led by 12-8 but was behind by 12-14. The scores were level at 12, 16, 18, 19 and 20 before Helliwell snatched victory with a single.
His second game against Clive Austin was less testing. He established a 9-4 lead and remained ahead to win 21-13.
In the quarter-final Helliwell faced Robert Hitchen, himself a former winner of Yorkshire and Halifax Merits. Helliwell opened with a break of seven but Hitchen recovered to lead 11-9 and 15-11.
A second break of seven gave Helliwell the lead by 18-15 but Hitchen was ahead by 19-18 and 20-19 before Helliwell scraped home with two singles.
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Hide AdBeeden faced defending champion Gareth Coates in his first game and opened with a break of eight. Coates responded with five but Beeden’s second eight break put him ahead by 16-5. Coates drew level at 18 but Beeden held on to win by 21-18.
Beeden led Mark Regan 6-0 and remaining in control to win by 21-13.
He then went 10-5 up against Hove Edge team-mate Danny Radclffe in the quarter-final. Radcliffe’s break of five brought him level and the scores were still tied at 11 and 15 before Beeden closed out the game , winning 21-16.
In their semi-finals, Helliwell and Beeden had to resist late recoveries.
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Hide AdHelliwell trailed Danny Barker 5-0 and 11-8 before taking the lead by 14-11. He reached all-but with his opponent on 13 but Barker kept him waiting before Helliwell could clinch victory by 21-19.
Beeden was 4-7 down to John Hamer but then went ahead with a break of nine. Hamer fought back to 15-18 and, after Beeden had reached all-but, narrowed the gap to a single point at 19-20 before Beeden secured victory by 21-19.
In an absorbing final, Helliwell seized the early advantage to lead by 8-2. Beeden came back with a break of 11, including five consecutive pairs to lead by 13-8.
Helliwell drew level at 13 and 17. Beeden reached 19 with a pair and was lying game at the next end before Helliwell claimed a single and went on to win the next two ends.
Quarter-final scores: D. Barker 21 S, Haynes 17; R. Helliwell 21 R. Hitchen 20; D. Radcliffe 16 T. Beeden 21; D. Holdsworth 19 J. Hamer 21.