By Stephen Helliwell
Gareth Coates of Akroydon Victoria won the Halifax Association’s Roberts Rose Bowl Handicap, sponsored by Maurice Boyd, at Allan Park on Sunday, defeating Luddenden Foot Ben Halliday in the final.
The signs were not good for Coates as he trailed by 4-14 in his opening game against Peter O’Callaghan before seizing control with a break of eight and going on to win by21-17. In his second game, he enjoyed a 15-4 lead over Mark Regan but had to repel a late fight-back by his opponent to win again by 21-17. After a comfortable 21-9 quarter-final victory against Fred Rothwell he went on to reach the final with a 21-8 result in his semi-final against Glenn McCafferty.
Similarly, Halliday’s first game was his closest He too was behind, by 5-14, against Lindon Harris but recovered to draw level at 16, then held on to win by 21-18. A second round 21-11 against Clive Austin and a 21-12 quarter-final result against Terry Jackson took him into a semi-final against. Nick Oddy. Oddy led by 6-5 after the opening ends before Halliday took control and pulled away to lead by 14-8. Oddy reduced the gap to a single point at 13-14 but Halliday regained control to win by 21-15.
In a closely contested final Halliday was ahead for much of the game, taking advantage of a three-point advantage in handicap to lead by 10-6. He was still ahead at 14-11 before Coates took the lead for the first time with a break of five, Halliday responded to go ahead by 18 but Coates won the next three ends to reach all-but. A single by Halliday followed but Coates held on to claim the Roberts Rose Bowl by 21-19.
Picture is Maurice Boyd sponsor. Ben Halliday, Gareth Coates and Association President John Holden