Richard Lamborn won the Charity One Ball Northern final

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Richard Lamborn (York)

The northern regional Final of the Charity 1-ball attracted players from Ashby, Pinchbeck, Sheffield, Wrest Park, Nottingham, York and the host club Bowdon. The new venue for this year's final did not disappoint either in the warmth of its welcome or the quality of its lawns … and the forecast rain largely held off to allow a day's play in sunshine.

Four rounds of play in the morning produced two players with 4 wins - Richard Lamborn of York and John Bagnall of Bowdon - and two players with 3 wins - Richard Sanville of Ashby and Robert Cutts-Watson, the Bowdon qualifier. After lunch Robert played Richard S and John played Richard L. John lost 13-4 while Richard S won 13-7. The two players, now both on 4 wins - John and Richard S - had a close game with John winning 13-9 to accrue 5 wins.

The remaining field of players assembled as spectators of the final between Richard L and John. Richard made a confident start, running hoop 1 in his opening shot, but John got ahead by +2 hoops as play progressed. A missed roquet and a wasted bisque by Richard at hoop 4 let John stay ahead. The judicious use of a second bisque at hoop 5 set Richard on a path to score the next 3 hoops to level the match at 7-all.

A tussle ensued at hoop 8, Richard scoring it first but missing a roquet on John's ball and letting him back in. John scored hoop 8 and progressed to 9, then on to 10. Could Richard peg him back? Richard held his nerve and with steady hoop running left John's ball at penult and ran rover. A chance for John to roquet Richard's ball near the peg was a near-miss and Richard shot to the peg to earn the winner's trophy for 2026.

Congratulations to Richard and well-played to RU John. Thanks to all the northern finalists for making the day enjoyable and competitive, to Bowdon for hosting and to Cas Sinclair for managing the day with friendly aplomb.