Bowls: Harrogate bowler finishes second at national champs

David Spilsbury, who plays for Harrogate Bowls Club, was beaten by his namesake, David Pitt of Hounslow, in the national final 21-8.

Spilsbury enjoyed a prosperous competition in Nottigham and beat last year’s runner up Pip Branfield 21-15 in his semi-final,

Branfield said the Harrogate bowler was “steady as a rock” after being knocked out in the last four.

However, Hounslow player Pitt - who also led his club to win the men’s over 60 fours title last weekend - proved too strong in the final with an exhibition of skill.

Spilsbury actually took the lead, scoring a double on the opening end.

But it was short-lived and he fell 13-2 behind after 11 ends.

Spilsbury made a partial recovery mid-game, however, from 17-8 after 17 ends, Pitt sealed victory with an unbeatable 2-1-1 sequence.

Splisbury, who was the runner-up in the event in 2012, said: “David Pitt was too consistent for me in the final, and fully deserved his win.

“He didn’t really give me any chances, and my form dipped below what it had been in earlier rounds.”

The victorious Pitt said “When I came up to Nottingham last weekend,

“I simply hoped to play well and give a good account of myself - to win two national titles is beyond my wildest dreams.”