Most top sportsmen call it a day in their thirties. But in his 92nd year, Helmsley’s Robin Carpenter looks like he’s just getting warmed up.

After a gruelling match lasting well over two hours, Robin has just won the Gentleman’s Trophy at the Helmsley Bowling Club annual championships; securing victory with the very last shot of a marathon game.

And while the watching crowd slumped back with nervous exhaustion, Robin declared himself ready to go again. “If I had to, I could play another game right now,” smiled Robin. “But I’d rather not.”

Not that he’s any stranger to winning. On the club wall, his name first appears in a roll of honour back in 1962 – exactly ten years BEFORE the winner of the Ladies Trophy was even born.

51-year-old Lucy Johnson, is one of the club’s youngest players, and the Ladies title was her first major honour in bowling after moving to Helmsley from Canada with her husband Tony, a local town councillor. “Robin is a lovely inspirational man and a legend at this club,” said Lucy. “He’s a brilliant bowler now. I can’t imagine how good he was when he was younger.”

And Robin had to be at his absolute best to achieve his incredible win this week. Trailing badly for all of the match, he inched himself back to 20-20 with fellow finalist Tony Dickinson, knowing that whoever won the next end took the silverware with it.

“Robin and Tony’s last woods looked to be exactly the same distance from the jack,” said game marker Bill Jones. “I got my tape measure out. Everyone was holding their breath. But Robin was the closest by about one inch.”

Meanwhile, Lucy Johnson’s game against Pauline Brook provided another nail-biting finish. But despite a stirring comeback from Pauline, Lucy held out to secure her trophy, only two years after taking up the sport.

“It’s been an incredible year here at Helmsley,” said Bill, as Robin sat calmly enjoying a cup of tea. “We’ve had a much-needed influx of new and brilliant young members and after watching Robin, we all now know bowling is the key to longevity……so I wouldn’t be surprised to see even more giving it a try in 2025….when hopefully Robin will be back to defend his title. At 92!”