BOWLS: Father and son Hope for national success (From This Is Wiltshire)

BOWLS: Father and son Hope for national success

10:40am Thursday 8th January 2009 in

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FORMER Westlecot indoor players Neil Hope and his father Martin have qualified for the last stages of the National Father and Son competition, but only after a mighty scare.

Martin, from Highworth, who is playing out of Fairford this season, and ex-U25 international Neil, now resident in Leicester and playing for Melton & District, booked their places next month in the last 32 at Northampton, with victory in the Area Nine final.

They beat current England Under 25 international Chris Moore and his father Dave, from the Barwell club, by five shots last weekend in the area final played on the neutral green at Leicester IBC.

However, the 27-22 scoreline does not tell the true story.

The Hopes roared into an early lead and were 22-8 up and cruising to the area title, but then the Moores clawed their way back into the match and drew level at 22-22 on the 19th end.

However, a three on the next and a two on the last end gave Martin and son Neil victory.

The duo will be looking to go one better in Northampton next month. Martin and Neil finished as runners-up in the 2001-02 competition, beaten in the final 22-14 by Mark and Kevin O’Riordan (Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees).

Graham Hatherall and his 13-year-old son Craig, will be looking to join the Hopes in the final stages of the Father and Son competition in Northampton in mid-February.

They are through to the Area 16 final to be played at Cotswold IBC (Stroud), this coming Sunday, January 11 (6.25pm) and face Steve and Rich Withers (Clevedon).

The Westlecot pairing booked their place in the area final with a 16-14 win in the semi-final over Steve and Wayne Snook (N Wilts).

They came from 10-4 and 12-5 down at seven and 13 ends to tie the game at 13-13 at 19 ends.

A big count of three followed on the next and despite dropping a single on the last end recorded a hard fought 16-14 win.

The Hatheralls had previously eliminated John and Kyle Anderson 25-14 and Matt Snook 25-11.