By Stephen Helliwell
The 2023 bowling season is less than a month old but Gareth Coates has already collected the first two individual trophies of the season. Following his success in the Roberts Rose Bowl a week ago, at Allan Park, the Akroydon Victoria player made the short journey to West End to claim the Percy Carter Merit, defeating Siddal’s
Mark Regan by 21-6 in the final.
In a remarkable performance Coates conceded only 30 points on his way to the title opening with a break of 13 on the way to a 21-8 victory against Pam Woodhead
and , after conceding pairs at the first three ends in his quarter-final against Trish Austin, went on to win by 21-7. He proceeded to the final win a 21-9 semi-final victory against Clive Austin.
Regan’s path to the final was no less impressive. He took an early 10-2 lead in his opening game against Darrell Turnbull before going on to win by 21-12 but conceded only 17 chalks in the three games leading to the final. A 21-4 win over Alwyn Guide was followed by a 21-6 victory against Aaron Bottomley. In the semi-final he held a narrow 7-5 lead against Phillip Holroyd before seizing the initiative with a break of ten, eventually winning by21-8.
In what promised to be a closely contested final, Coates took control from the start opening, with a break of seven and stifling Regan’s attempts to respond with further breaks of six and seven, the latter finishing off the game to secure the title with a 21-6 victory.
Gareth is pictured receiving his trophy from sponsor Simon George.