Suffolk v Cambridgeshire

Suffolk opened the new season on Sunday, 23rd November, with a visit from Cambridgeshire.

Continuing the trend of recent seasons there were a few changes to the squad, with some of the more established team members having decided to take a step back.

S1 -Pete Runnacles, Andy Gilder, Andrew English, Andy Pooley
S2 - Barbara Nunn, Rita Runnacles, Colin Fellingham, Peter Fellingham
S3 - Sue Isles, Adam Wells, Paul Attrill, Paul Daniels
S4 - Sally Goodrich, Kevin Postma, Frank Wilkin, All Hobbs
S5 - Jim Goodrich, Steve Isles, Mick Watkins, Sue Gilder
S6 - Karen Hubbard, Will List, Adam Hubbard, Neil Jolly

As ever it was going to be a tough season ahead, particularly with only two home games, and three away, so a good start would be vital.

Session 1
The one game which was never in doubt was the one involving S1, who edged their way ahead, extending their way out to an 11-0 lead with an end to go, which turned out to be the only one won by the opposition. The game ended with an 11-3 win. S3’s game was much closer, with never more than a couple of shots in it, and it all came down to the last end, with the game at 5-5, unfortunately that 9th end did not go Suffolk’s way, and Cambridgeshire took it 6-5. In contrast, S5 had fallen behind in the middle part of the game, and went into the last end 7-3 down. Getting anything out of this game looked unlikely, but Sue managed to push the jack back, took a 4, and grabbed a vital point.

The session was shared 3-3.

Session 2
After a tight first 4 ends, S2 moved nicely ahead in their game, winning 8-5 despite dropping 3 on the last end. S4 spent the first 7 ends of their game with their noses just in front, but finished with a couple of twos to make their win look more comfortable that it actually was, at 9-4. S6 opened with a 4, and were 5-0 up, but 3 ends later it was all square. Back ahead 2 ends later, they then dropped 3 to go into the last end one shot behind. Holding one with his final wood still to bowl, Neil took his time, waiting to see the outcome of other games before deciding whether to take the draw, or take a calculated risk. He took the gamble, tipped his 3rd wood in, and took the win 9-7.

A full house, and Suffolk now led 9-3.

Session 3
S3 started strongly and 3 ends in, led 10-0. After that it was a matter of making sure there were no silly mistakes. They won the game 13-6. Another tight game for S5, with the lead swinging back and forth. They went into the last end a shot down, but grabbed the win with 2, for a 7-6 victory. Having comfortably won their first game, the boot was on the other foot this time, for S1. They were 7-0 down after 3 ends, and never fully recovered. They did pull it back to 5-7, but then dropped a 4, and were not going to be allowed back into the game after that, they lost 7-12.

Two out of three, and another winning session. At the halfway mark, Suffolk led 13-5.

Session 4
Having got off to a good start, with a 3, S2 fell behind as they conceded a 5 on the 3rd end, from which they never recovered, finishing with a 6-12 loss. S4’s game was much closer, and tight all the way through, but also ended in a last end loss, 5-6. The one bright spot was S6 who built up an early lead, and went on to win 11-3.

The first losing session of the day, and the lead had been pegged back slightly, with the overall score now standing at 15-9.

Session 5
Early on all 3 Suffolk teams led quite nicely, but it didn’t stay that way.

S3 were 6-0 up after 4, and while that lead was pegged back they went into the last end 3 up. The end wasn’t shaping up too well, but could have been saved but for their final wood going hitting the middle, leaving the opposition a free wood to win the game, which they did, taking the win 8-7. S5 were 5-0 up after 3, which was back to 5-4 before they stretched it out again, and brought the game home for an 8-5 win. Finally, S1 were from 4-0 to 4-8, then back again to 10-8, then 10-9, before they took the last 2 ends to finish 14-9 up.

Two out of three won, and the match score now stood at 19-11. A big final session for either team would make a huge difference to the overall result.

Session 6
S2 had their noses in front from the off, and led 5-3 after 6 ends, but the game didn't end well for them, as the remaining ends were all lost, as they fell to a 5-7 defeat. S4 didn’t get off to a great start, and were chasing the game all the way through. They went into the final end 5 behind, and almost dragged it back, but couldn’t quite manage it, losing 8-9. The one saving grace was S6 who immediately ran out to a 9-0 lead in the first 4 ends, and secured a 12-5 win.

One game won, two lost, leaving the final score at 21-15 to Suffolk. Not a disaster, but certainly not as good as it could have been, after being 13-5 at half-time, but Cambridgeshire certainly deserved the points they went away with.

Next up is what should be the toughest match of the season, a visit to Hertfordshire, for which Suffolk will certainly have to up their game.

Other Results:
Bedfordshire 4-32 Essex
Norfolk v Hertfordshire (postponed until 4th January)