WOW! WOW! What an incredible day, for starters, thank you, every one of you that contributed to the success of the day. Far too many individuals to mention, you know who you are, companies, individuals, donations, players or those who came to watch.

The day was in two sections really, the first was a marathon, a twelve hour marathon, played between two great bowling counties Suffolk and our friends Cambridgeshire. This started at 08:30 and the last end was bowled at 20:30, a fantastic display of bowling from both sides for the full 12 hours. But more on that later.

The second was a fours competition, held in the main hall. This was another brilliant display of bowling from all bowlers, really friendly atmosphere and laughter all day, was good to be there.

The fours competition went well, each team played four games during the day and the top 3 were awarded prizes. The bowling was close, going down to the last session of games determining the winners. Amazingly it came down to 3 teams, the only teams to win all four of their games. In third place came Blakenham Reds, in second place were Fieldon and our winners of the day were Hundon. Congratulations to all the teams who competed, well done to the winners.

Now back to the main event of the day, the marathon. In the Burton room the carpet was set up and from 08:30 there were players from both the counties bowling nonstop on the carpet all day. Both teams were up for the job and both teams were bowling top form, very competitive but bringing the lighter side into the game at the same time. The atmosphere was electric at times.

As you could appreciate with the top 2 counties in the country bowling, it was nip and tuck all the way and after 10 ends Suffolk had a narrow 3 shot lead. In the next 10 ends Cambridge fought back and narrowed the Suffolk lead to just 1 shot. Over the next 10 ends Suffolk turned the screw a little and eked out a 4 shot lead, the score now standing 25 – 21. Cambridge came back again narrowing the lead to 2 shots in the following 10 ends. After some more brilliant bowling from both teams, the lead was whittled down with Cambridge taking a 1 shot lead after 50 ends 39 – 40.

In the next 10 ends things turned towards the Suffolk team, by the end of the 60th end Suffolk had pulled a 5 shot advantage, and continuing their dominance over the following 10 ends they held a 13 shot lead. And with some more dominating bowls over the next 30 ends Suffolk’s lead was now a commanding 32 shots, 103 – 69.

Then the inevitable happened, Cambridge are not one’s to give in, back they came, and with a strong run of 14 ends they kept Suffolk on 109 shots, fantastic bowling by the Cambridge crew. By the end of the 130th end, Suffolk 109 Cambridge 99.

It was the final run in now, time approaching half past eight, could Cambridge do the impossible?

End 131 saw Suffolk stop the rot, taking a single shot, off that 109 at last. Cambridge came back again taking 2 off the next end 110 – 101. Suffolk took another single on end 133 and again on 134. Cambridge kept fighting taking 3 on end 135 now 112 – 104. Suffolk stood firm to their task and took what turned out to be the final end by 2 shots. What a brilliant end to a fascinating matchup between two great Counties and all the best of friends.

The final score after 136 ends of bowls, 1088 woods bowled by both teams over a 12 hour period was amazingly close, Suffolk 114 shots to Cambridge 104.

A big thank you to everyone who participated and made the day as wonderful as it was, friendly, competitive and a pleasure to watch.

You will all be interested to know that with everyone’s kindness and generosity an amazing amount was raised £1841.62 will be split between the charities Woolverstone Wish, who help people and families of people who suffer from cancer, and the Ipswich Breast Cancer Care Unit at Heath Road Hospital. On their behalf can I thank you, very very much.

Mick Watkins and Andy Gilder