By Stephen Helliwell
Julian Dawson, of Akroydon Victoria won the Halifax Association’s Individual Merit at Hill Crest on Sunday. He defeated Laurel Crescent’s Martin Atkinson by 21-19 in the Grosvenors Butchers sponsored event.
Dawson began with a 21-10 result against Jason Watters before winning his quarter- final by 21-5 against Steve Lowther of Outlane. In the semi-final Dawson faced his son and team-mate, Bailey The two had met earlier in the season when Bailey took the honours on his was to claiming the Sowerby Bridge Roberts Rose Bowl Handicap. On this occasion it was Dawson senior who came out on top after a closely contested game. Julian made the better start to lead by10-6 but Bailey recovered to tie at 11-11 then edged ahead by 15-13. Bailey still held the advantage at 17-16 before Julian ran out to win by 21-17.
Atkinson opened with a comfortable 21-5 victory against King Cross’s Bob Coates but found it much tougher in his second game, against Peter O’Callaghan. He trailed by 0-5, took the lead for the first time at 17-15 then came from 19-20 to scrape home by 21-20 before facing another tough challenge against Siddal’s Martin Greenwood. Greenwood was cruising with a 16-7 lead but Atkinson stormed back to snatch an unlikely victory, finishing with a break of five to win by 21-20. In his semi-final. , Atkinson trailed Luddendenfoot Ben Halliday by 1-5 and 8-13 before racing ahead with a break of 12 on his way to a 21-15 win.
In the final Dawson went int0 an early 8-4 lead but Atkinson rallied to go ahead by 10-8. Atkinson still had the edge at 14-12 before Dawson came back to level the scores at.15. They were still level at 17 and19 but after Atkinson had nudged head with a single, Dawson won the last two ends to claim the title by 21-19.
Quarter final scores: J. Dawson 21 S. Lowther 5; B. Dawson 21 J, Farrell 18 M. Atkinson 21 M Greenwood 20; G. Swain 5 B. Halliday 21.