Suffolk
Carpet Bowls Association |
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» SUFFOLK COUNTY TEAM 2011/12 |
2012 Six Counties Championship
On Sunday 15 April 2012 the
Suffolk CBA hosted the ECCBA Six Counties Championships at Braintree
Leisure Centre.
The competition involved the
six Eastern Counties, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire,
Norfolk and Suffolk. Each county were represented by six rinks
(fours), each playing one nine end game against each of the other
counties.
Having won the ECCBA league
title a few weeks previous the Suffolk team were looking to add
the Six Counties trophy to their cabinet.
With a few regular bowlers
unavailable a number of the Suffolk rinks had personnel and positional
changes, together with Ali Cook and Sue Jones coming in for their
first games of the season. The Suffolk rinks selected were:
Suffolk 1 (S1): Jim Goodrich,
Ralph Sadgrove, Paul Daniels, Andrew Cooper
Suffolk 2 (S2): Sue Jones, Sally Goodrich, Ellen Grube, Sue Gilder
Suffolk 3 (S3): David Ford, John Varden, Andy Gilder, Mick Watkins
Suffolk 4 (S4): Andy Pooley, Ryan Willoughby, Neil Tuckey, Tom
Runnacles
Suffolk 5 (S5): Peter Runnacles, Don Allum, Colin Fellingham,
Steven Cain
Suffolk 6 (S6): Sue Davey, Ali Cook, Jon Jordan, Neil Jolly
The first session opposition
were last year's winners Essex and it was the defending champions
who made the better start. One game went comfortably to Essex,
S2 losing 14-2 and this was quickly followed by a couple more
defeats with S1 losing 9-5 and S3 7-5. Then a much needed fight
back started, led by S4 who controlled their game to win 9-4
and S5 winning 12-6. The comeback was completed by S6 who on
the last end edged over the line with an 8-7 win. Whilst the
performance hadn't been good, Suffolk were extremely grateful
to come out with six points.
Next up were Bedfordshire and
this time the Suffolk rinks flew out of the blocks. Most impressive
were S3 who dominated their game from start to finish to whitewash
their opponents 21-0. Nearly matching them were S2, bouncing
back from their heavy first game defeat to win comfortably 17-2.
Four further wins followed with S1 winning 9-2, S4 15-2, S5 14-3
and S6 19-5 which started with a maximum eight shot count on
the first end. It was a full house twelve point return, scoring
a massive 95 shots in the process.
In the competition overall
Suffolk and Cambridgeshire were equal top with 18 points each.
Norfolk were the next opposition
and again it was S3 who led the way with another good win, 14-4.
Meanwhile both S1 and S2 were involved in closer games which
always looked like going to the final ends but both held their
nerve to win 7-6. The games for the other three Suffolk rinks
were more comfortable with all of them securing early leads and
holding on to them. All of them maintaining their unbeaten records,
S4 won 11-6, S5 10-4 and S6 13-3. Suffolk were delighted to score
another maximum twelve points, but Cambridgeshire had done the
same against Bedfordshire so still the two counties could not
be separated overall.
Suffolk's penultimate opposition
were Hertfordshire and again most rinks got off to a great start.
This time it was S4 who set the tone getting their fourth consecutive
win of the day, easing away to a 13-1 win. That was followed
by relatively comfortable wins for S1 11-5 and S6 14-4. Meanwhile
the other games were going to the wire and some last end heroics
resulted in two more wins for S1 11-5 and S3 8-6. Unfortunately
after a disastrous start and then a great comeback during the
latter ends S5 lost 10-9.
With one set of games to play,
still Cambridgeshire and Suffolk could not be separated at the
top. Suffolk's ten point return against Hertfordshire had been
matched by Cambridgeshire against Norfolk. The tournament was
set up for a great finish as the top two were now playing each
other. Suffolk knew they had to win the session as Cambridgeshire
were better off on shots scored.
In the final session it was
Cambridgeshire who took the first win with S1, despite a promising
start, losing a close game 11-7. Suffolk quickly hit back with
S2 putting on their best performance of the day to turn around
an early ends deficit to win 11-9 on the last end. It was then
that Suffolk started to take control with both S4 and S6 taking
early leads in their games. S4 just about holding on to edge
their game 8-7 and S6 were more comfortable in winning their
game 11-8. Suffolk now only needed one point from the two remaining
games to win the tournament. S5 were involved in a close game
and went into their last end 7-5 up. Playing a good tactical
final end, they conceded the two shots they could afford and
the 7-7 draw was enough. Last to finish were S3 but unfortunately
they lost 9-5.
It had been a fantastic performance
by the Suffolk team, who after a slow start against Essex had
got better as the day had gone on. To drop only thirteen points
all day in scoring possibly the highest ever overall points total
was a great effort. All of the rinks had contributed significantly
to the win, with both S4 and S6 winning all five of their games.
The final scores were:
|
PTS |
SHOTS + |
SHOTS - |
Suffolk |
47 |
313 |
172 |
Cambridgeshire |
45 |
324 |
177 |
Essex |
28 |
255 |
244 |
Bedfordshire |
22 |
198 |
328 |
Hertfordshire |
20 |
199 |
275 |
Norfolk |
18 |
203 |
296 |
Suffolk now hold all three of the ECCBA event trophies and after
the summer break they will be looking to defend the ECCBA Teambowl
at Littleport in September.
Neil Jolly (County Captain) |
Suffolk v Bedfordshire
On Sunday 18 March Suffolk
played their final ECCBA league match of the season, home against
Bedfordshire at Bildeston village hall.
Having beaten Essex 29-7 last
time out, Suffolk went into the match with a six point lead at
the top of the league over Cambridgeshire, who had a tricky away
match against Essex. As well as staying in top spot Suffolk were
also looking for their fifth consecutive win to maintain their
unbeaten record.
The Suffolk rinks selected to face Bedfordshire were:
Suffolk 1 (S1): Jim Goodrich,
Ralph Sadgrove, Paul Daniels, Andrew Cooper
Suffolk 2 (S2): Ryan Willoughby, Trevor Bean, James Rous, Sue
Gilder
Suffolk 3 (S3): David Ford, John Varden, Mick Watkins, David
Mittell
Suffolk 4 (S4): Andy Pooley, Andy Gilder, Neil Tuckey, Tom Runnacles
Suffolk 5 (S5): Peter Runnacles, Don Allum, Colin Fellingham,
Steven Cain
Suffolk 6 (S6): Sue Davey, Sally Goodrich, Jon Jordan, Neil Jolly
It was an erratic start in
the first session for rinks S1, S3 and S5. However after a few
ends the consistent S1 rink settled down and started to control
their game. Losing only two single shot ends they continued to
edge away and finished with a good 13-2 win. S5's game followed
a similar pattern and they also only lost two single shots and
bettered S1 by a few shots to win well 16-2. S3 were involved
in a far closer game but were unable to recover from their slow
start. They were always chasing the game and whilst never out
of it they just couldn't gain an advantage and lost 9-6.
The second session started
better for rinks S2, S4 and S6. However it was only S4 that were
able to retain complete control of their game. Losing only two
ends they played well to win their game 13-3. The other two rinks
whilst mostly leading just could not gain a significant advantage.
S2 finally managed to open up a gap by the penultimate end and
won 9-6. S6's game was even closer with no more than a shot in
it from the third to the eighth end. Without playing that well
they stumbled over the line with two shots on the last end to
win 8-5.
The third session started better
for the home rinks and it wasn't long until both S1 and S3 had
their games under complete control. Matching each other almost
shot for shot, healthy leads were opened up and extended. Slightly
the better were S3 as they only lost just the one end on their
way to a comprehensive 15-1 win. Whilst losing three ends S1
scored more heavily in the ends they won, finishing with an impressive
15-5 win. Meanwhile it was more of a struggle for S5 who found
themselves trailing by three shots after the fourth end. However
their performance level improved and they went on to win four
out of the last five ends, to secure a hard earned 8-5 win.
It was a close start in all
of the games in the fourth session. As with their previous session
it was again S4 who were playing the better bowls but by the
fifth end they only held a slender 3-2 lead. That advantage opened
up to six shots after seven ends and they finished in style with
two fives to win convincingly 18-2. Meanwhile S2 were never behind
in their game but couldn't score big to get themselves a comfortable
lead. The game went into the last end level at 6-6 but S2 held
their nerve and a great last bowl from the skip scored a single
shot to win the game. Lastly S6 were still struggling to find
form and were also involved in a tight game that went down to
the final end with the scores level. This time it was the away
rink who scored the single shot, S6 losing 6-5.
The penultimate session saw
Suffolk gain their third unbeaten session of the day. Having
the toughest time was S3 who were always playing catch up in
their game but with an end to play they had levelled it at 7-7.
Completing the comeback they edged the final end for a well earned
9-7 win. It was more comfortable on the other two carpets as
both S1 and S5 were able to maintain their unbeaten records.
S5 were involved in a high scoring see-saw game, they were 7-2
behind after four ends but then scored 14 unanswered shots for
an incredible 16-7 win. It was a more conventional win for S1
who scored five shots on the second end to lead 6-0 and didn't
look back from there, winning 13-4.
In the final session both S2
and S4 were also looking to be unbeaten for the day. For S4 it
was not to be as they just did not get started in their game,
struggling throughout on their way to a 9-7 loss. Meanwhile S2's
100% record was looking in severe jeopardy at 7-1 down after
six ends. However showing great spirit they won the next two
ends to be just two shots behind going into the last end. They
then played a superb final end to score four shots, complete
the recovery and win 9-7. S6 were having an easier time though,
playing their best game of the day they opened up an early 8-0
lead and only lost two ends in winning well 13-3.
The match finished with a Suffolk
win 30-6 (shots: 200 - 89).
Whilst it was not Suffolk's
best performance of the season, it was a day when the result
mattered most. Well done to S1, S2 and S5 who all came through
the day unbeaten. Credit must also go to a spirited Bedfordshire
team who never gave up and deserved more points than they scored.
This win kept Suffolk at the
top of the table and in doing so they retained the ECCBA league
title. Cambridgeshire lost at Essex 20-16 and the two results
meant that Suffolk finished with a massive twenty point advantage
over them.
Congratulations must go to
all involved with the Suffolk team for a fantastic league campaign.
It started with three excellent away wins at Norfolk (28pts),
Hertfordshire (27pts) and Cambridgeshire (19pts) and finished
with two high scoring home wins over Essex (29pts) and Bedfordshire
(30pts).
The final league table is:
|
PTS |
SHOTS + |
SHOTS - |
Suffolk |
133 |
917 |
549 |
Cambridgeshire |
113 |
826 |
608 |
Essex |
95 |
703 |
665 |
Norfolk |
85 |
663 |
718 |
Hertfordshire |
66 |
625 |
822 |
Bedfordshire |
50 |
517 |
889 |
Suffolk are now looking forward to the Six Counties Championships
at Braintree Leisure Centre on Sunday 15 April.
Neil Jolly (County Captain)
|
Suffolk v Essex
On Sunday 19 February Suffolk
played their penultimate ECCBA league match of the season, home
against Essex at Bildeston village hall.
Suffolk were looking to stay
top of the league and maintain their unbeaten record, having
won their first three matches, all of them away from home.
The Suffolk rinks selected
to face Essex were:
Suffolk 1 (S1): Jim Goodrich, Ralph Sadgrove,
Paul Daniels, Andrew Cooper
Suffolk 2 (S2): Ryan Willoughby, Ellen Grube, James Rous,
Sue Gilder
Suffolk 3 (S3): David Ford, John Varden, Mick Watkins,
David Mittell
Suffolk 4 (S4): Andy Pooley, Andy Gilder, Neil Tuckey,
Tom Runnacles
Suffolk 5 (S5): Peter Runnacles, Don Allum, Colin Fellingham,
Steven Cain
Suffolk 6 (S6): Sue Davey, Sally Goodrich, Jon Jordan,
Neil Jolly
In the first session rinks
S1, S3 and S5 all started slowly and after three ends each all
of the games were close. After that S1 were the first rink to
take control of their game, winning seven consecutive ends and
scoring thirteen unanswered shots they raced away to a convincing
15-1 win. S3 then followed suit, conceding only two single shot
ends in comfortably winning their game 11-2. S5 were involved
in the tightest game and were unable to open a healthy lead.
A see-saw game concluded with the Essex rink taking the last
two ends to earn a 7-7 draw. Overall Suffolk were happy to come
out of the first session unbeaten.
The start of the second session
mirrored the previous session with very little separating the
rinks after the early ends. S4 were the first to take a grip
of their game by scoring five shots on the third end. They were
able to protect that lead and finished winning well 11-5. Meanwhile
S6 were edging away in their game and on the last end they finished
in style with a six to win 15-4. The closest game involved S2
and whilst they had a slender lead at the start, with an end
to play it was level at 6-6. Unfortunately the last end went
against them and they lost 7-6.
The third session started badly
for S3 losing the first two ends but they hit back winning four
out of the next five ends to lead 7-4. However fortunes swapped
around again as they lost the final two ends to draw the game
7-7. S5 meanwhile had got off to a flying start with a five shot
first end. They shared the next six ends but still led 9-6 with
two ends to play. However as S3 had done they were unable to
win either of the last two ends and this game also finished as
a draw, 9-9. It was better news from S1 though, continuing their
fine form from the first session they eased to a 9-3 win in a
game that they were always ahead in. Another unbeaten session
for Suffolk and at the halfway stage they held an overall 13-5
advantage.
The fourth session got off
to a great start for S2, S4 and S6 with them all securing early
leads. S2 bounced back superbly from their second session loss
and were 8-0 up after just three ends. They didn't look back
from that and ran out deservedly 13-7 winners. S4 looked comfortable
at 4-0 and 10-5 up. They then proceeded to lose three shots on
the penultimate end and followed that up with a poor last end.
They were saved by their skips final bowl of the game, scraping
a 10-9 win. S6 were doing something similar, things were looking
good at 4-1 and 10-4, but with an end to play their lead was
down to just a single shot. However they regained their composure
to win the final end and the game 12-9. Three important Suffolk
wins had increased their overall lead.
The penultimate session saw
Suffolk lose only their second game of the day. S5 just could
not get into their game and despite rallying over the last few
ends they slipped to a 10-6 defeat. S1 were still performing
well though and picked up their third win of the day, leading
from the third end they protected their advantage well to win
10-7. S3 made it two wins for Suffolk in the session after racing
away to an early 8-0 lead. Despite losing four of the last six
ends it was still a relatively comfortable 10-6 win.
At the start of the final session
it was clear that Suffolk were not going to take their foot off
the pedal, as they all took early leads. Most impressive were
S2 who extended their lead with a six shot seventh end and then
held on for a fine 12-4 win. S6 were always in control of their
game, leading 5-0, 7-1 and 10-2 and finishing with a well earned
10-5 win. Finally as with their previous game S4 were making
it difficult for themselves again, a 5-1 lead disappeared and
with an end to play they were 7-6 behind. However they played
a great last end, scoring three shots to win 9-7.
The match finished with a Suffolk
win 29-7 (shots: 182 - 109).
It had been a fantastic team
display by Suffolk, their best of the season so far against an
Essex team who never gave up. It was particularly pleasing that
a high level of performance and concentration had been maintained
throughout the day to ensure such a convincing final margin of
victory. There had been a number of excellent individual performances
and all of the Suffolk rinks had contributed to the win. Well
done to S1, S4 and S6 who all recorded three wins from three.
The win over Essex further
extends Suffolk's lead at the top of the league to six points
over Cambridgeshire with one match to play.
Suffolk's next and final match
of the season is against Bedfordshire, at Bildeston on Sunday
18 March.
Neil Jolly (County Captain) |
Cambridgeshire v Suffolk
On Sunday 15 January Suffolk
travelled to Paston to play their third ECCBA league match of
the season, against Cambridgeshire.
Suffolk were looking for their
third consecutive away success, following wins at Norfolk and
Hertfordshire. This would their toughest test so far, with Cambridgeshire
just one point behind them in the league, where Suffolk were
sitting top.
The Suffolk rinks selected
to face Cambridgeshire were:
Suffolk 1 (S1): Jim Goodrich, Ralph Sadgrove, Paul
Daniels, Andrew Cooper
Suffolk 2 (S2): John Varden, Ellen Grube, James Rous,
Sue Gilder
Suffolk 3 (S3): David Ford, Trevor Bean, Mick Watkins,
David Mittell
Suffolk 4 (S4): Andy Pooley, Andy Gilder, Neil Tuckey,
Tom Runnacles
Suffolk 5 (S5): Peter Runnacles, Don Allum, Colin Fellingham,
Steven Cain
Suffolk 6 (S6): Sue Davey, Sally Goodrich, Jon Jordan,
Neil Jolly
In the first session rinks
S1, S3 and S5 all adjusted to the away carpets quickly and it
wasn't long before S1 and S5 took complete control of their games.
In particular S1, who didn't concede a shot until the penultimate
end in winning convincingly 14-1. S5 continued to pick up shots
and maintain their early advantage to also win 11-5. Unfortunately
S3, whilst staying in their game could not complete the perfect
start, just being edged out 9-7.
From the start of the second
session it was clear that all three games were going to be close
affairs. However the home rinks upped their game from the first
session and rinks S2, S4 and S6 were always playing catch up.
The only thing Suffolk could get from the games was a hard earned
9-9 draw for S4. S2 were beaten 12-8 and S6 lost 10-9, but only
to the final bowl of the game.
The third session saw fortunes
swap around again as S1, S3 and S5 continued their good form
from their first games. S5 put on the best all round performance,
again securing an early lead and easing away to a comfortable
11-2 win. S3 were involved in a far closer game, but they held
their nerve during a tight final end to steal a 7-6 win. Most
of the drama involved S1 who found themselves 8-2 down with three
ends to play. However a great skips shot scored them a six to
get them back in the game. They then conceded a two before playing
a superb final end to get those two back and snatch an unlikely
10-10 draw.
In the fourth session S2, S4
and S6 were looking to bounce back from their disappointing first
games. In two of the games they did just that, both S2 and S4
got off to great starts, building early leads which they were
able to increase. Two excellent wins followed, S2 by 12-3 and
S4 by 14-5. Unfortunately S6 were not able to complete a clean
sweep, slipping to a 10-6 defeat. However the last two sessions
had been good ones for Suffolk, taking nine points from twelve.
The penultimate session saw
Cambridgeshire hit back again in what was turning out to be a
see-saw match. The Suffolk rinks all got off to poor starts and
three defeats looked on the cards. However it was again S1 who
turned things around and playing a great last end they salvaged
two points with an important 10-7 win. For S3 and S5, they were
always chasing their games and running out of ends, they lost
12-4 and 9-5 respectively.
With the final session to play
Suffolk led overall by 16-14. However given the rollercoaster
nature of the match, any final outcome was possible. At the start
of the games both S4 and S2 found themselves behind. Unfortunately
S2 were unable to recover and lost 13-4. Meanwhile with an end
to play S4 were 7-3 down and another defeat looked likely. However
they then constructed a great last end and with the skips final
bowl secured a count of four to sneak a 7-7 draw and a very valuable
point. That left one game to finish, involving S6 who were 4-3
down with three ends to play. They then played their best bowls
of the day to score a three-two-three count to take the game
11-4. The final session had been shared, three points each.
The match finished with a Suffolk
win 19-17 (shots: 159 - 134).
It had been a great match between
the two best teams in the country. The Suffolk team were delighted
with the win, which extends their lead at the top
of the league.
Overall the Suffolk team had
played well, given it was against strong opposition on their
own carpets. Well done to both S1 (two wins and a draw) and S4
(a win and two draws) who were unbeaten on the day.
What had been most impressive
by the Suffolk team was the spirit and ability displayed in winning
or drawing games where defeat had looked the likely outcome.
Those points may well prove very valuable when it comes to the
end of the season.
Suffolk's next match is against
Essex, at Bildeston on Sunday 19 February.
Neil Jolly (County Captain) |
Hertfordshire v Suffolk
On Sunday 11 December Suffolk
played their second ECCBA league match of the season away to
Hertfordshire, at Ware.
In their opening match Suffolk
had got off to fine start with a good 28-8 win away against Norfolk.
The Suffolk team knew that a spirited Hertfordshire team should
never be under-estimated and would be difficult to beat.
That proved to be the case
in the first session as Suffolk got off to a shaky start. Not
adjusting particularly well to a couple of tricky carpets two
of the Suffolk rinks struggled to get a foothold in their games.
These games ended with defeat, 10-7 and 9-7. Meanwhile in the
other game the Suffolk rink took an early lead and were able
to protect this to win 8-4.
Having had the benefit of watching
the carpets, the second session games all started better for
the other three Suffolk rinks. Adjusting well to some difficult
lines all three rinks secured early leads and controlled performances
on the later ends resulted in three good wins, 13-3, 10-5 and
11-6.
In the third session Suffolk's
first three rinks were looking to bounce back from their disappointing
start. It was a vastly improved display that saw them take early
leads and impressively they all proceeded to run away with their
games. A second maximum point session for Suffolk, with scores
of 13-2, 13-5 and 17-5.
At the halfway point stage,
despite the bad start Suffolk held a 14-4 lead. However the job
was only half done and with a couple of difficult carpets to
cope with, concentration during the afternoon would have to be
maintained.
In the fourth session Suffolk's
performance continued to improve and their second three rinks
maintained their unbeaten record. Playing some consistent bowls
kept the home team's scoring opportunities down and three relatively
comfortable wins followed, scores of 10-6, 13-6 and 10-6.
The penultimate session turned
out to be Suffolk's worst of the day. The highlight was a fantastic
18-2 win for one Suffolk rink. However in the second game, a
lead going into the last two ends was thrown away to draw 8-8
and in the other game the Suffolk rink struggled from the start,
losing 11-5.
The final session of the day
had a better outcome though, despite losing one game on the final
end 8-7. The other two games saw convincing wins for Suffolk
as they dominated from the early ends, wins of 14-4 and 17-4.
The match finished with a Suffolk
win 27-9 (shots: 191-104).
On some difficult carpets and
against a Hertfordshire who never gave up, it had been a good
performance by the Suffolk team and a pleasing second away win
which keeps them at the top
of the league.
Suffolk's next match is away
again, versus Cambridgeshire on Sunday 15 January.
Neil Jolly (County Captain) |
Norfolk v Suffolk
On Sunday 27 November Suffolk
started the defence of the ECCBA league title with a tricky away
match against Norfolk, at Wortwell.
The Suffolk team showed a few
changes and a couple of new faces from the recent National Championships,
where they had finished a creditable second place. At the same
event Norfolk placed third and would be difficult to beat on
their own carpets.
In the first session of three
games Suffolk got off to a dream start. Adjusting to the away
mats quickly two of the Suffolk rinks flew out of the blocks
and raced away to early leads. Those advantages were protected
and convincing 15-2 and 17-6 wins followed. In the other game
the Suffolk rink started slowly but their form improved during
the latter ends and they sneaked a 9-7 win.
The second session games all
started as close affairs but as they progressed again two Suffolk
rinks took control. Without running away with the games, early
leads were steadily increased and concluded with 12-3 and 9-4
wins. The other Suffolk rink whilst staying in their game was
unable to gain an advantage and slipped to a 9-4 loss.
The rinks that scored maximum
points in the first session were back on in the next session
looking for a repeat show. With a great display of consistent
bowling, they did just that. Again they took early control of
their games and didn't look back, finishing with three comfortable
wins of 12-1, 12-4 and 11-6.
At the halfway point Suffolk
held a commanding 16-2 lead, but they knew they would have to
keep playing well to maintain or hopefully increase that lead.
In the fourth session Suffolk's
performance level didn't drop, but the games were far closer.
All three games went to the final ends and composed tactical
bowling ensured another undefeated session. Two more wins of
11-8 and 10-7 and with a single shot on the last end, a hard
earned 8-8 draw.
The penultimate session saw
Norfolk get only their second win of the day, when the Suffolk
rink struggled to get a foothold in the game. That game was lost
10-4. However normal service was maintained in the other games,
early leads, sensible bowling in the later ends and two wins,
both by 13-5.
The final session of the day
was disappointing and proved to be Suffolk's worst. Two games
were shared, Norfolk with a 9-4 win and Suffolk winning 11-7.
The other game had an exciting finish with the Suffolk rink winning
a dramatic last end with a four shot count to steal an unlikely
10-10 draw.
The match finished with a Suffolk
win 28-8 (shots: 185-113).
Overall it had been a terrific
performance by the Suffolk team and just the start they were
looking for in their first match. That win took them straight
to the top of the league, but being there after the last match
is the long term aim.
Suffolk's next match is away
again, versus Hertfordshire on Sunday 11 December.
Neil Jolly (County Captain) |
SIX COUNTIES CHARITY TEAMBOWL
2011
On Sunday 25 September 2011
the Cambridgeshire CBA hosted the Six Counties Charity Teambowl
at Littleport. Their chosen charity was MAGPAS.
The competition involved the
six Eastern Counties, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire,
Norfolk and Suffolk.
Each county were represented
by four singles bowlers, four pairs and four triples, each playing
one seven end game against each of the other counties.
Suffolk were the defending
champions and they were also looking for their third consecutive
win in the event.
In the first session Hertfordshire
were the opposition. After a slow start the four singles bowlers
began to play well and three wins followed, 6-4, 10-2 and 9-1.
Next on were the pairs and three of the games went to the final
end. However Suffolk's good start continued with an unbeaten
session, three wins, 5-3, 6-5 and 10-1 and the other game drawn
5-5. The triples then repeated the three wins, 6-4, 11-5 and
a convincing 13-1.
Overall Suffolk had scored
a good nineteen points from Hertfordshire, which was just the
start they had hoped for.
The next opposition were Bedfordshire
and the singles again got the team off to a great start with
a clean sweep of wins, 7-2, 11-2, 7-6 and 9-6. However the next
session was disappointing as only two pairs wins were secured,
8-3 and 6-3. However the triples went one better than their first
games by winning all four, scores of 9-5, 9-3 and convincingly
16-1 and 14-3.
Suffolk had taken an impressive
twenty points from Bedfordshire and at an early stage they were
in a three way battle with Cambridgeshire and Norfolk for top
spot overall.
Essex were Suffolk's next opponents,
arguably the form team having won the last ECCBA event. The singles
were all involved in close games and a shared session was a fair
outcome, Suffolk's two wins were 7-4 and 7-5. The pairs then
put on an improved display from their previous session and they
were rewarded with four important wins, 14-4, 12-2, 10-3 and
6-5. Taking confidence from that performance the triples then
repeated that with a further four wins, 11-2, 7-4, 11-1 and 10-3.
Suffolk were delighted with
the outcome of their games against Essex and had played some
superb bowls on their way to an outstanding twenty points. With
three sessions played Suffolk now held the overall competition
lead, but knew they had difficult games remaining against Cambridgeshire
and Norfolk to retain the trophy.
Cambridgeshire were up next
and the singles were involved in their closest games of the day.
The results were in doubt until the final bowls were delivered
and again their session was shared. One win 8-5 and two draws,
4-4 and 6-6. The pairs games were no different but with confidence
high three hard earned wins were secured, 7-3, 5-2 and 8-5. The
triples games turned out to be even closer and with the final
ends to play, four wins looked possible. However poor play resulted
in a turn around and a disappointing return of just one win 8-6.
Overall the points, twelve
each had been shared with Cambridgeshire. It could have been
more but at least Suffolk had maintained their position at the
top of the leaderboard.
Suffolk's final opponents were
Norfolk, who were having a good day. The singles did not get
Suffolk off to the start they wanted, gaining only one win 7-4
and a draw 4-4. However the confident pairs recovered the situation,
easing away to four comfortable wins, 9-4, 11-6, 9-4 and 9-3.
The triples then finished the day with a flourish winning all
of their games too, scores of 12-3, 8-3, 7-3 and a convincing
16-1.
It had been a fantastic finish
to the day for Suffolk, scoring an impressive nineteen points
against Norfolk. That was more than enough to keep Suffolk in
first place.
The final points and placings
were:
|
Points |
Suffolk |
90 |
Cambridgeshire |
79 |
Norfolk |
61 |
Essex |
54 |
Bedfordshire |
44 |
Hertfordshire |
34 |
It had been a great all round
team performance from Suffolk from start to finish. Their consistent
bowling had been rewarded with heavy scoring against four of
the counties and a shared session with their closest opposition,
Cambridgeshire. It was also pleasing that the points won had
been shared across the whole team, with a number of excellent
individual performances.
In winning the trophy again,
Suffolk became the first county to win the event three years
in succession. This win followed Suffolk's ECCBA league title
and they are now looking forward to the National County Championships
at Potters in November.
Neil Jolly (County Captain) |
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