Hartlepool Indoor Club hosts the 25th anniversary meeting of the Four Countries Fellowship today and tomorrow.
The indoor clubs of Dundee, Belfast, Cardiff and Hartlepool formed the Fellowship in Belfast in 1976 to replace the British Isles International Series, abandoned owing to the reluctance of Scotland and England to travel to the volatile province - and the tournament, born in the shadow of conflict - has offered the hand of peace and friendship over the years as bonds have grown ever stronger.
The Four Countries meet each other in singles, pairs and triples events, and over the years many of the great names in the British Isles game have graced the stage, delighting spectators with their skills and spreading the gospel of goodwill.
Today's programme is from 9.30am-7.30pm, tomorrow's 9.30-5.30 and there is an open invitation to the region's bowling enthusiasts to attend.
* Sunderland's David Bolt and Northumberland's Paul Ging represent England in the Junior International Series against Ireland and Wales at Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club, Powys, this weekend.
England have won the Under-25 Series in four of the last five years and are seeking a hat-trick of successes.
Leadgate's Eddie Henry meets Roderic Jamieson (Chichester) in the quarter-finals of the National Over-55 Singles Championship at Bromley Bowling Club, Kent, on Tuesday.
* The Hartlepool Veterans league came to a dramatic conclusion when Eldon Grove A, Foggy Furze and GEC, the front runners throughout the season, met over the last two days of the campaign.
The crucial game was between GEC and Eldon Grove, with just a handful of points between them. GEC took ten of the 14 points at stake, winning their final game 12-1, while Foggy Furze also defeated the Grove, leaving GEC to celebrate their League title.
* Hartlepool Park Ladies have put the traumatic experience of last year's tragic road traffic accident behind them and, battling their way from fourth bottom of the table a few weeks ago have won the North Eastern Ladies League for the sixth consecutive season.
* Blackhall Colliery Welfare youngster Carl Higgins repeated last year's achievement when he won three titles in the Hartlepool District League finals.
He won the Champion of Champions with a 21-15 success over Mike Parker (HOB), retained the Under-25 Singles by beating James Rudge (Guild)21-16 and then, with Paul Hartley at skip, the talented Blackhall duo were 18-14 victors over Hartlepool Park's Gary Dougherty and Alan Taylor to retain the Pairs title they won last year.
Other results were: Town Singles: Jim Ainger (Foggy Furze) 21, Tom O'Hara (Eldon Grove) 13; Secretaries Sings: Harry Dougherty (Hartlepool Park) 21, Robbie Emmerson (Guild) 18; Triples: Butch Gray/Dominic & Alan Mulcahy (Rovers SC) 25, Mike Potter/Alan Kilburn/Rob Hold (HOB) 12; Fours: John Harts/ George Showells/ Jack Smart/ Graham Lister (Seaton) 30, Geoff pearson, Brian Wager, Kevin Wilson, Jim Ainger (Foggy Furze) 19.
* The Four Rink Inter Club Ces Foster Memorial Trophy was a repeat of last year's clash - and result - when Owton Lodge beat Horden 87-67.
Scores (Lodge first): Bryan Price 23, Stewart Lee 19; Cliff Simpson 21, Paddy Cockburn 17; Albert Ward 22, Fred Rippon 18; Paul Stephenson 21, Ted Mclean 13
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