England Call-up for Mann, Lamb & Woods
The first news is filtering through on the England Team trials held at the weekend in Northants and its great news for at least three Norfolk bowlers. Wymondham's Chris Mann was in great form and earned his first ever call-up to the England team. Halvergate's David Lamb, who has played in the squad for the last two years, also learned today that he is back for a third year while Bob Carter's Melvin Woods also received the news that he is back in for a second year. Both David Lamb & Chris Mann will be in action in Potter's International Arena at the weekend in the 10th Annual Potter's Cup.
                                                                                                                     Posted 1-9-10 

Sport England have conducted a satisfaction survey measuring the quality of sporting experience enjoyed by participants. This unique profile, covering 46 categories of sport, saw Bowls rated in second place only marginally behind South Korea's national sport Taekwondo. Shooting, Angling, Mountaineering & Orienteering came in just behind Bowls while Football surprisingly finished in 43rd place just behind Rounders & Wheelchair Rugby! Participation in bowls was shown to be the highest in the East of England while the area with the lowest participants in bowls was London. 


     1st Taekwondo                   2nd Bowls                      3rd Shooting
Hevingham drew 4-4 at Watton Yellow to clinch the Div Two Championship title and earn a return to the top flight. The vital wins were returned by Pat Bunn, Marjorie Hall & David Sharpe who beat Margaret Hunter's triple 13-12 and Ian MacLean, Alan Bunn & Vic Woods who beat Margaret Hunter's triple by 19-11. Anglian Windows needed seven points at home to already relegated Horsford "A" if they were to grab the other promotion spot but a disappointing 6-2 defeat left Sprowston SSC celebrating promotion instead.

Horsford "B" are Div Three champions after a 7-1 away win at Hingham Yellow. Mally Kemp, Peter Fox & Keith Chapman led the way with wins of 20-11 & 15-9 while Roger Frank's triple earned three out of four points. Thurton finish seven points behind Horsford "B" in second place and will join them in Division Two next summer. 
                                                                                                                Posted 30-8-10

Bob Carter completed a league & cup double triumph after ex England player Steve Bridge ditched the jack on a dramatic last end at Sprowston to break Hevingham hearts. The first half went Bob Carter's way as Jason Woods, David "Minty" Lamb & Melvin Woods put Hevingham's Pat Bunn, Alan Bunn & David Sharpe to the sword crushing them 28-5. On the other mat Jon Sparham, Steve Bridge & George Clarke fought out a 13-13 draw against Ian MacLean, Pat Williamson and Vic "Quiet Man" Woods to leave Carter 3-1 up on points at the interval. The second half saw Hevingham launch a stirring comeback and after twelve ends they led on both mats and had victory in their sights. After their massive first half win Melly Woods' Carter triple lost their form against Vic Woods' triple and were soundly beaten by 18-5. The match though was to be decided on the other mat as George Clarke's triple went into the last end 12-11 down against David Sharpe's triple in which Marjorie Hall had come in as substitute for Pat Bunn. Steve Bridge ditched the jack to earn Bob Carter two shots, a 13-12 shots win and a 5-3 points victory. It is the third time that Bob Carter have won the Norfolk Summer Cup having won it previously in 2005 & 2006.


                                           Latest News Updated 22-8-10
Hevingham clinched promotion back to the top flight after a 6-2 home win against Anglian Windows. Ian MacLean, Pat Williamson & Vic Woods led the way beating Mike Boswell's triple 19-5 and Alan Williamson's triple 23-6 while David Sharpe's triple weighed in with an 18-10 win. Mike Boswell beat David Sharpe 20-8 after the break to keep Anglian Windows slim promotion chances alive but seven points from their last game is the minimum requirement if they are to leapfrog Sprowston. In their final match six points at already relegated Horsford "A" would have given Sprowston the Div Two title but a 5-3 defeat has left them clinging precariously on to second place. David Woodrow's triple finished a disappointing season for Horsford "A" on a winning note beating Terry Fletcher's triple 17-12 and John Poynter's triple 18-14. Thorpe Marriott "B" suffered their eighth defeat of the campaign losing 6-2 at Diss Green and will join Horsford "A" in Division Three. Horsford "B" will replace their "A" team in Division Two after a 6-2 win at Forncett made promotion a certainty. Mally Kemp, Sue Fox & Keith Chapman pulled off wins of 14-10 & 16-9 to seal victory for Horsford while Lynn Frank, Carol Kemp & Roger Frank finished in style with a 21-4 win. Horsford "B" need just one point in their last match to take the Div Three title. Watton Green won their final match 6-2 at home to bottom club Hingham Green with Roger Braham's triple winning both their games.   

                                           Latest News Updated 17-8-10
Wymondham saw their dreams of Summer Cup glory shattered as a last gasp win for Ian MacLean, Pat Williamson & Vic Woods against Sylvia Archer, Brian Saunders & Peter King clinched a place in the final for Hevingham. Home advantage proved vital in the first half as Vic Woods' triple held on to win 12-10 against Pat Saunders, Mark Linsdell & Chris Mann. It looked all too easy as they built up an 8-0 lead after five ends but Mann's triple won six consecutive ends to claw their way back. It was all in vain though as the Hevingham triple held on to win. Marjorie Hall, Alan Bunn & David Sharpe completed a perfect start for Hevingham beating Peter King's triple 13-9 with a seven shot haul over ends three and four the killer blow. Chris Mann's Wymondham triple exploded into action after the break as they hammered Alan Bunn's triple 21-5. After eleven ends the young Norfolk star was already 18-1 up and although the home triple repeatedly swapped playing positions it was to no avail. With Wymondham now holding a good shots advantage a win for Peter King's triple would see them reach the final for the second year running but Vic "Quiet Man" Woods had other ideas. After nine ends the game was tied at 9-9 but Wymondham held four shots with just Vic Woods left to bowl the last wood of the end. His bowl appeared to be wide of the mark but a wick off a side wood resulted in Hevingham taking a single much to Wymondham's exasperation. Their irritation turned to horror on the next end as Vic Woods' triple scored a five to lead 15-9 with the Wymondham triple asking themselves why they had failed to draw a bowl into a wide open head. King's triple demonstrated their sheer tenacity as they dug deep to cut the deficit to just 16-15 with an end to play. It was Hevingham though who clinched victory in this classic semi-final as Pat Williamson ditched the jack while Wymondham failed to take advantage of Sylvia Archer's toucher. In the other semi-final Division Three side Horsford "B" were outplayed at the home of Division One giants Bob Carter. The match was effectively over by half-time as Jon Sparham, Steve Bridge & George Clarke romped to a massive 36-3 win against former Sprowston ace Keith Chapman while Frank Edy, Jason Woods & Melvin Woods strolled to a 24-11 win against ex Carter star Roger Frank. Both Carter triples won by an identical 18-6 margin after the break but by then Carter had already started to dream of a league & cup double. Both Bob Carter & Hevingham have enjoyed good fortune in being drawn at home in all three rounds played. Carter have entertained lower league opposition in the form of Anglian Windows, Diss Green & Horsford "B" with all three teams soundly beaten 8-0. Hevingham have reached the final with a 7-1 win against Kirby Bedon "B", an 8-0 win against Sprowston and a 6-2 win against Wymondham. Bob Carter and Hevingham meet in the final at Sprowston SSC on Monday 23rd August with both clubs hoping to capture the Summer Cup for the third time. In Div One Thorpe Marriott "A" kept their survival hopes alive with a 6-2 win against Kirby Bedon "A". Marriott's survival rests on gaining seven points in their last game at Wymondham that, although possible, is extremely unlikely. Division Two action saw Horsford "A" win 6-2 at home to promotion hopefuls Watton Yellow. Thurton clinched promotion from Div Three with a solid 6-2 away win at Hingham Yellow as Jan McClintock, Pam Grint & Trevor Howard celebrated with wins of 14-13 & 18-8. The previous night they had earned a valuable 4-4 draw at Watton Green where Peter Walker's triple won by 20-4 & 13-12.  

                                            Latest News Updated 8-8-10
With Bob Carter having clinched the Summer League title Wymondham & Kirby Bedon "A" are left to fight it out for the runners-up spot. Both sides though had to settle for a 4-4 draw against relegation threatened sides which leaves Kirby still three points ahead of Wymondham with one match each to play. Wymondham visited Thorpe Marriott "A" and had a poor first half losing on both mats. Brian Saunders, Steve Phillips & Chris "The Blazerman" Blazer lost 13-10 to Janet Pinchin, Sheila Redwood & Ted Redwood while Pat Saunders, Shirley Foster & Debbie Phillips lost 11-10 to Tony Frost, Trevor Pinchin & Kath Frost. They avoided a complete disaster with a good second half with Chris Mann's triple winning 19-8 and Debbie Phillips' triple winning 14-13 despite a strong comeback by Ted Redwood's triple. Kirby Bedon "A" went to First Bus where the first half was drawn as Kirby's Leonora Chilman, Phil Watson & John Aggas won 17-8 and the First Bus triple of Colin Coman, Tony Gray & Bob Oatway won 12-11 with the last bowl of the game by First Bus skip Bob Oatway grabbing a win against Selwyn Goldsmith's triple. In the second half Kirby's Alistair Hunter, Phil Watson & John Aggas won 17-16 as they survived a late surge by the home team. Julia Cummins, Maurice Kemp & Lesley Crowe earned the draw for First Bus with an 18-9 win.
 
                                   Latest News Updated 2-8-10
Cambridgeshire's Doddington are the new National Club Champions after beating Templecombe of Somerset in the final at Rugby Thornfield. The only success Templecombe had was in the pairs as Doddington clinched the trophy previously held by Kirby Bedon. Bob Carter were close to making the final but just missed out while First Bus, despite playing well, did not make it through either.

                                   Short Mat Players Tour Axed


                                     Latest News Updated 29-07-10
Summer League - Bob Carter Champions
Bob Carter are the new Summer League champions after they clinched the title with an 8-0 home win against Kirby Bedon "B". Jon Sparham, Steve Bridge & George Clarke were in brilliant form winning their games by 24-4 & 31-9 while Frank Edy, Jason Woods & Melvin Woods won their games by 17-8 & 20-12. Bob Carter last won the Summer League back in 1998 but the comeback of former England player Steve Bridge and the addition of Hempnall star Jon Sparham to their line-up has significantly strengthened their side. The form of veteran George Clarke has also been a major factor in their Summer League title triumph, the fourth time they have won it. Kirby Bedon "B" will be disappointed to have lost the final match of their season but will be happy that they have done enough to secure their Div One status after promotion last season. Hevingham moved top of Div Two with an 8-0 home win against relegation threatened Thorpe Marriott "B" despite the absence of top skip Vic Woods. Ian MacLean, Marjorie Hall & Pat Williamson beat Richard Kightley's triple 28-6 and Malcolm Roe's triple 20-10 while David Sharpe's triple backed them up with wins of 15-13 & 15-11. Marriott "B" also slumped to an 8-0 home defeat against Anglian Windows and saw an ominous gap open up between the bottom two teams and the rest. Watton Yellow did themselves a big favour winning 6-2 at home to Anglian Windows with June Todd, Bryan Dibble & Bill Davies winning both their games. Div Three leaders Thurton are flying high after an 8-0 home win against Watton Green. Trevor Howard's triple enjoyed two big wins of 29-10 & 25-6 while Peter Walker's triple won by 26-8 & 19-9. Watton Green bounced back from this defeat with two good wins to keep their promotion hopes alive. They won 8-0 at home to Forncett with Roger Braham's triple winning 24-7 & 15-6 and then won 6-2 at Hingham Yellow where Alan Baldry's triple won 12-10 & 17-14.
Summer Cup
Hevingham moved easily into the semi-finals of the Summer Cup with an 8-0 home win against Sprowston as Vic Woods and David Sharpe skipped their triples to two wins apiece.  

Summer League - Framingham Earl are relegated
As the  season reaches its climax Framingham Earl became the first Div One side to be relegated as their poor run of results culminated in a 7-1 defeat at Wymondham. A tight first half saw visiting triple Glenda Kidd, T Shelley & Ray Lumley hold Mary Fisher, Mark Linsdell & Chris Mann to a 13-13 draw but Peter King's triple beat Karl Bunn 12-10 to give the home side a 3-1 points lead at the break. In the second half Bunn's triple again fought hard but slipped to a 14-12 defeat against Chris Mann. The twelfth end summed up Framingham Earl's season as an attacking shot by Karl Bunn only succeeded in taking all his own bowls out of the head handing Mann's triple five shots. The other second half game produced a big 21-2 win for Wymondham's Sylvia Archer, Shirley Foster & Peter King as Framingham Earl found themselves heading back to Div Two after just one season in the top flight. Two days earlier Framingham Earl went down 6-2 at Kirby Bedon but they were able to capitalize on Kirby taking to the mats with a player short in the first half to at least take a couple of points. With Teresa Goldsmith taken ill just 25 minutes before the start Leonora Chilman & Selwyn Goldsmith played without a number two and were beaten 17-12 by Karl Bunn's triple. Kirby's Carol Aggas, John Aggas & Phil Watson won 15-11 though to keep the match level at halftime. After the break Kirby were back to full strength as Alistair Hunter arrived posthaste to fill the gap in Selwyn Goldsmith's triple and normal service was resumed as they beat Colin Emms' triple 19-7 while Phil Watson's triple won 16-8. The remaining relegation spot looks set to be filled by either First Bus or Thorpe Marriott "A" and First Bus traveled to Kirby Bedon "A" hoping to put clear blue water between themselves and Marriott "A". It was not to be though as Kirby "A" proved too strong on the night, Leonora Chilman, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith only lost three ends as they beat John Cummins, Lesley Crowe & Maurice Kemp by 22-5 while Carol Aggas, John Aggas & Phil Watson won 18-9 against Bob Oatway's triple. The second half saw Selwyn Goldsmith's triple, with Alistair Hunter subbing for Leonora Chilman, win by 21-8 and Phil Watson's triple win 15-11 as Kirby completed an 8-0 maximum home win. The result leaves First Bus still searching for points in their remaining match to aid their quest for survival.  


                 Bob Oatway of First Bus                                 Selwyn Goldsmith of Kirby Bedon           

                                 Latest News Updated 25-07-10
Summer Cup
Just one shot has earned Div 3 side Horsford "B" a place in the semi-finals after they drew 4-4 at fellow Div 3 side Hingham Green but won 52-51 on shots. A good first half for the home side saw K Thomas' triple beat K Chapman 21-11 and M White beat R Frank 12-10. All they needed was a point to see them through to the semi-finals but Horsford hit back with Roger Frank winning 14-9 and Keith Chapman winning 17-9 to tie the match 4-4 on points but give Horsford B a 52-51 win on shots. Horsford face a trip to Bob Carter in the semi-finals where they face a massive task against the form team of the season while Hevingham entertain Wymondham in the other semi-final.
Summer League
Bob Carter won 6-2 at home to Wymondham and are close to clinching the Div One title. Jon Sparham, Steve Bridge & George Clarke swept Brian Saunders, Mark Linsdell & Chris Mann aside by 31-10 while Melvin Woods won 15-13 against Steve Phillips. Clarke's triple won 22-14 against Steve Phillips after the break while Peter King, Mark Linsdell & Chris Mann earned Wymondham's only win beating Melvin Woods 15-10. Kirby Bedon A won 6-2 at home to Framingham Earl but will be annoyed they failed to take maximum points after Teresa Goldsmith was taken ill less than half an hour before the start of the match. This left Leonora Chilman & Selwyn Goldsmith bowling with a player short against Peter Adcock, Debbie Bunn & Karl Bunn and despite holding on at 7-7 after 8 ends they slipped to a 17-12 defeat. Carol Aggas, John Aggas & Phil Watson won their games by 15-11 & 16-8 and with Alistair Hunter arriving to join Chilman & Goldsmith in the second half they beat Colin Emms 19-7. First Bus drew for the third time this season at home to Kirby Bedon "B". Bob Pattison, Lesley Crowe & Maurice Kemp of First Bus beat Joe Brown 14-7 in the first half and with John Cummins subbing for Pattison after the break they beat Gerald Chilvers 17-13. Chilvers & Brown both won for Kirby "B" to earn the draw. Sprowston top Div Two on shots alone after losing 6-2 at Hevingham where Ian MacLean, Pat Williamson & Vic Woods won twice by 17-11 and 22-12. Second placed Diss Green inflicted the first defeat of the season on Hevingham. Terry Newby's triple won 20-16 while Graham Mobbs' triple won 14-11 and drew 11-11 for a 5-3 home win. Vic Woods' won his first game 17-9 for Hevingham and drew his second to keep them well positioned in the promotion race. Horsford B drew 4-4 at Thurton and remain the only unbeaten side in Div Three due to wins of 14-13 & 14-12 for Lynn Frank, Carol Kemp & Roger Frank. Hingham Yellow lost ground on the top two after a painful 7-1 defeat at Watton Green where D Braham's home triple won 16-9 & 17-14 and D Oliver weighed in with a 27-5 win. Forncett finally won a game at the eighth attempt after four defeats and three draws. They beat Hingham Green 6-2 with P Lock winning 15-8 and 22-12 and T Ottewell winning 18-4. M Frost won 13-10 to earn Hingham Green their only win of the night.   

                                                       Jon Sparham of Bob Carter

                                   Latest News Updated 20-07-10
Summer Cup
Wymondham gained revenge for their defeat at the hands of Kirby Bedon "A" in last seasons final as they made home advantage count in a 8-0 quarter-final whitewash. The writing was on the wall by half time as Wymondham won both opening games. A huge shot advantage was built up as Peter King, Mark Linsdell & Chris Mann beat Leonora Chilman, John Aggas & Phil Watson 25-5. With the visiting lead player struggling with the long jack set by Chris Mann neither Aggas or Watson could  stem the tide in a match where they trailed by 17-0 after eight ends. On mat two Sylvia Archer, Shirley Foster & Steve Phillips put Carol Aggas, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith under pressure from the start drawing consistently to the jack and led 8-2 after six ends. The visiting triple narrowed the gap to just one shot by the ninth end but could not turn the match round losing 15-13. In the second half Wymondham just had to keep the games tight and they did just that. Former Scotland international Alistair Hunter substituted for Leonora Chilman to lead for John Aggas & Phil Watson and this certainly made a difference to their performance as they lost by just 11-10 to Steve Phillips' triple. Chris Mann's triple found themselves with a harder game on their hands in the second half but still beat Selwyn Goldsmith's triple by 13-12.
Summer League
In the Summer League championship race Bob Carter opened up a 26 point lead after a 6-2 away win against Kirby Bedon "B". Steve Bridge, David Lamb & Melvin Woods won by 15-10 & 15-13 while Jason Woods, Nigel Willard & George Clarke won their second game by 12-8 after losing their opening game 16-13 to Carol Johnson, Peter Johnson & Joe Brown. Thorpe Marriott "A" are finding points hard to come by in the top flight and a 6-2 defeat at Kirby Bedon "B" does little to ease their relegation fears. Gerald Chilver's triple picked up maximum points for Kirby winning by 14-10 against Tony Turner and 11-10 against Will Hoggan. There is little to choose between the other two sides caught up in the relegation dogfight as was proved with a 4-4 draw when Framingham Earl visited First Bus. Karl Bunn's Framingham triple won their games by 15-11 & 19-17 for the visitors but wins for Maurice Kemp & Tony Gray earned a draw for First Bus. Wymondham won 6-2 at Framingham Earl with Chris Mann's triple winning by 18-7 & 23-9 to move into third place. In a top of the table clash in Div Two Sprowston beat Anglian Windows 7-1 but it was closer than the score suggests. Terry Fletcher's Sprowston triple won by one shot against Alan Williamson's triple and after the interval beat Mike Boswell 17-14. John Poynter's Sprowston triple drew 11-11 with Mike Boswell while Poynter's triple scored the only sizable win of the night beating Williamson 19-10. Diss Green's title hopes took a knock at Horsford "A" where they were beaten 6-2 with Chris Woodhouse winning his games by 20-3 & 21-8. Diss fared better at Thorpe Marriott "B" where they drew 4-4 to move second but the rest have games in hand on them. Watton Yellow entertained struggling Marriott "B" hopeful of putting pressure on the leaders but instead suffered a shock 6-2 defeat. Malcolm Roe's triple scored a 14-6 win and an 11-11 draw while Richard Kightley's triple won 17-15 and drew their other game 10-10. Div Three leaders Thurton slipped to a 6-2 home defeat against Hingham Yellow despite a big 25-4 win for county regular Jenny Walker. Tony Fennell, Eric Frary & Jane Frary starred for the visitors winning by 15-13 & 16-10 as they move into second place. Hingham Green went down 8-0 at Horsford "B" where Keith Chapman's triple won 22-8 & 18-14 and Roger Frank's triple won 17-10 & 23-9.
 
                               Latest News Updated 16-07-10
Summer Cup
Another home draw for Bob Carter in the Summer Cup saw them entertain Division Two side Diss Green in the quarter-finals. The visitors would not have traveled to Drayton with much optimism so the 8-0 home win for Carter will have come as little surprise all round. In the first half Carter's Frank Edy, Steve Bridge & Melvin Woods romped to a 28-4 win against the Bill Francis triple while Jason Woods, Nigel Willard & George Clarke beat T Newby's triple 27-5. Melvin Woods' triple continued the onslaught after the break beating Newby's triple 28-3 but Colin Smith, Trish Taylor & Bill Francis put up a hard fight before losing by just 15-12 to Clarke's triple.
                                       Wins of 28-4 & 28-3 for Bob Carter skip Melly Woods
                             ESMBA Summer Club Championships
                                                                                       Posted 14-7-10
                                    
                                   Latest News Updated 11-07-10
Millennium Fours
Brian Saunders, Steve Phillips, Debbie Phillips & Chris "Blazerman" Mann were Norfolk's only entry to this annual ESMBA event in Northants but represented the county well finishing third in a strong field. After opening with a 14-1 win against Steve Bailey's West Mids rink the Wymondham block slipped to what turned out to be their only defeat of the day when they went down 10-5 to Keith Alders West Mids rink. In their third game they claimed the scalp of Oxfordshire and England star Trevor Brown when they won 8-6 after making a superb start leading 6-0 before conceding a six on the penultimate end. In their next two games they recorded wins of 5-3 & 6-3 before beating Herbie Bowden's block 10-7 in their last game.



Summer League
Div One action saw Kirby Bedon "B" beat Framingham Earl 6-2 with Joe Brown's triple winning by 12-7 & 21-6 while Bernie Cudden's triple weighed in with a 23-5 win. Karl Bunn earned the visitors only points. Thorpe Marriott "A" lost 6-2 at First Bus where Bob Oatway won 19-12 against Kath Frost, Maurice Kemp beat Kath Frost 22-9 and Tony Gray won 15-12 against Tony Turner. In Div Two Hevingham beat Diss Green 6-2 with Vic Woods winning by 22-5 & 15-5. Diss Green won 6-2 at home to promotion chasing Sprowston with Bill Francis winning by 16-14 & 18-11. Horsford "A" were well beaten at Sprowston going down 8-0 as John Poynter's triple won by 21-13 & 27-5. Anglian Windows beat Watton Yellow 6-2 with Alan Williamson's triple leading the way winning by 18-8 & 15-13 while Mike Boswell recorded a 29-2 win. Forncett continue to struggle in Div Three, this time losing 6-2 at Hingham Yellow where K Buller's triple won two tight games by 14-13 & 14-12.

                                                                                        Posted 11-07-10

                                             ESMBA AGM NEWS
             40% Increase in subscription passed by narrow majority

                                 Latest News Updated 04-07-10
Summer Cup
Hevingham made home advantage count as they beat Kirby Bedon "B" 7-1. In the first half Hevingham picked up all four points as Ian MacLean, Pat Williamson & Vic Woods won 15-6 and Pat Bunn, Marjorie Hall & David Sharpe won 16-11. Despite a tight second half Hevingham secured the win as Sharpe's triple won 13-12 against Joe Brown's triple and Vic Woods' triple were held to a 15-15 draw by Chris East, Gerald Chilvers & Bernie Cudden.     

Summer League
Bob Carter continue to show impressive home form in Div One with First Bus their latest victims. Frank Edy, Nigel Willard & George Clarke romped home to wins of 22-8 & 26-7 while Melvin Woods' triple won 18-9 & 24-7. Bob Carter suffered their first defeat of the season at Wymondham where Pat Saunders, Mark Linsdell & Chris Mann won by 19-10 & 20-5 and Steve Phillips' triple contributed an 11-9 win as Wymondham kept themselves firmly in the race for the runners-up spot behind Carter. A close match at Thorpe Marriott "A" saw the home side beat Framingham Earl 5-3 with Tony Frost, Ted Redwood & Kath Frost's 16-11 win against Colin Emms the biggest victory of the night. In Div Two the two bottom clubs met in a relegation battle with Horsford "A" coming out on top winning 6-2 at Thorpe Marriott "B". Richard Dix, Jim Bird & Chris Woodhouse won 30-2 and 11-10 as the visitors won their first league match of the season so far. Horsford fared less well at Diss where they were beaten 6-2 as Colin Smith, Trish Taylor & Alan Rush won their games by 18-6 & 17-8. Anglian Windows kept in the hunt for promotion with a 6-2 home win against Sprowston with Alan Williamson's triple winning both their games. Hevingham visited Anglian Windows and drew 4-4 with David Sharpe and Vic Woods winning one game each for the visitors. In Div Three Hingham Green were held to a 4-4 draw at home by Forncett.


                                     Latest News Updated 02-07-10

Summer Cup
In a thrilling cup tie Sprowston beat Framingham Earl by just one shot to reach the second round. Terry Fletcher's triple beat Colin Emms 14-13 and John Poynter's triple beat Mervyn Blaza by 13-8 to give Sprowston a 4-0 points lead. After the break the visitors hit back as Blaza beat Fletcher 15-11 and Emms beat Poynter 9-8 to level the match on points but it was not enough as Sprowston won 46-45 on shots.

Summer League
Division Two leaders Watton Yellow were held to a 4-4 draw at Diss where home skip Bill Francis won by 20-3 & 12-10. The other Diss skip, Graham Mobbs, fared less well losing by 17-14 & 10-9. Sprowston moved second after an 8-0 win at Thorpe Marriott "B" where Peter Smart won by 25-6 & 19-6 and Terry Fletcher won by 15-4 & 14-8. Division Three leaders Thurton had their unbeaten league run ended at Horsford "B" where they lost 6-2. Ex Sprowston star Keith Chapman won by 20-7 & 14-11 and Roger Frank added a 13-12 win for Horsford. Trevor Howard's triple scored a 15- 8 consolation win for Thurton to earn their two points.

                                                   Roy Grapes

                                 Latest News Updated 23-06-10

Summer Cup
Bob Carter are through to the second round after an 8-0 home win against Anglian Windows. There was never a real chance of an upset in this match as Steve Bridge, David Lamb & Melvin Woods won by 17-9 & 21-5 while George Clarke's triple won by 19-6 & 18-8. A tremendous tie at Watton Green saw Div Three visitors Hingham Green pull off a one shot victory against their Div Two opponents. Hingham won both opening games to pile the pressure on Watton. D Frost, J Potton & K Thomas beat Roger Braham's triple 17-8 and R Lister, M White & M Frost beat D Oliver's triple by 15-14. The home side hit back after the break with D Braham, A Baldry & Roger Braham winning 12-10 and J Capell, B Draper & D Oliver winning 16-9 to force a 4-4 draw on points but the total shots were in favour of Hingham Green by the slender margin of 51-50. Last year's beaten finalists Wymondham found it all too easy at home to Hingham Yellow winning 8-0. Chris Mann's triple won by 21-6 & 22-8 while Steve Phillips won 22-7 and Debbie Phillips won 29-5.

Summer League
Bob Carter made it six wins in a row in Div One with an 8-0 win at First Bus. All four games were quite close but the home team failed to collect a point as Melvin Woods' triple won 15-10 & 15-11 while George Clarke's triple won 16-13 & 14-13. Defending champions Kirby Bedon "A" entertained Wymondham in a keenly anticipated match which Kirby won by 7-1. Kirby's Carol Aggas, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith lost three of the first four ends against Brian Saunders, Peter King & Chris Mann and trailed 6-5 after seven ends. After that it was one way traffic as the Kirby triple won seven of the remaining eight ends to win 22-8 and inflict a rare heavy defeat on Mann. On mat one Wymondham's Sylvia Archer, Shirley Foster & Debbie Phillips stormed to a 7-0 lead after two ends against Leonora Chilman, John Aggas & Phil Watson. The Kirby triple fought back but trailed 12-9 with one end to go. The Wymondham triple looked to be on their way to a win until Phil Watson produced a wonderful backhand shot with the last wood of the game to take out a Wymondham bowl and score three shots to level the game at 12-12. After the break Debbie Phillips' triple continued to play some great bowls with Sylvia Archer in superb form at lead against Goldsmith's triple. With two ends to play the Wymondham triple led 12-11 but three shots on the penultimate end and a single shot on the last end earned the Kirby triple a 15-12 win. The remaining game saw Pat Saunders brought in at lead and Steve Phillips substituting at two with Chris Mann still at skip against Phil Watson's triple. Watson's triple led by just 14-13 with one end remaining and again Phil Watson pulled off a great shot on the final end to seal a 16-13 win. In Div Two Hevingham moved into second place and have a game in hand over leaders Watton Yellow. Their top triple at Horsford "A" were Ian MacLean, Alan Bunn & Vic Woods who won 16-6 & 12-9 as they collected a 6-2 away win. In the return match Hevingham won 8-0 with Pat Williamson's triple winning 13-8, Ian MacLean's triple winning 18-11 and David Sharpe scoring wins of 16-9 & 18-15. Diss Green earned a 4-4 draw at Sprowston with Bill Francis & T Newby winning a game each for the visitors while Linda Chadwick, Les Chadwick & John Poynter won both their games for Sprowston. Diss also visited Anglian Windows where they slipped to a 5-3 defeat with Mike Boswell starring for Windows with wins of 22-12 & 18-6. Thurton moved 18 points clear in Div Three and have now won all their four games dropping just two points so far. Forncett could not handle the visitors as Peter Walker's triple won 18-10 & 18-9 and Trevor Howard's triple won 21-4 & 19-9 as Thurton collected an 8-0 win. They also won 8-0 at home to Hingham Green scoring a total of 71 shots against 38. Horsford "B" beat Watton Green 8-0 but another incomplete scorecard submitted by Horsford "B" makes it impossible to report the scores for the second week running.        
 


                               Latest News Updated 15-06-10

National Club Championships
Another preliminary heat held at Felixstowe saw Cambridgeshire emerge winners on 23 points with Wymondham second on 15 points. Essex side Stoneyhills 2 finished one point behind on 14 while Sprowston had a bad day scoring just 4 points. The day was another disaster for the ESMBA with players bitterly complaining of no format, no score-sheets and a complete lack of organisation. The inability of the ESMBA to get their act together continues to undermine their credibility and threatens to destroy a competition launched just last year which Norfolk clubs have supported more than any other county.

Summer Cup
Division 3 side Thurton visited Division 2 side Diss Green but found the gulf between them too big as they went down 8-0. Terry Newby's triple won their games by 20-8 & 18-10 while Bill Francis skipped his triple to wins of 20-9 & 16-9.

Summer League
Wymondham's high hopes of Div One glory have taken two hard knocks. Visitors Kirby Bedon "B" pulled off a creditable 4-4 draw at Wymondham while outscoring the home team 55-50 on shots. Shirley Brown, Barry Herman & Joe Brown beat Debbie Phillips' triple 18-11 while Peter Johnson, Chris East & Gerald Chilvers beat the same triple 17-11. Wymondham then found themselves on the wrong end of a 6-2 defeat at First Bus where Maurice Kemp's triple won their games by 17-7 & 13-10. Remarkably the second half saw an amazing result as Wymondham's Brian Saunders, Steve Phillips & Chris Mann beat Bob Oatway's triple 33-1 to earn two consolation points for the visitors. In Div Two a strong Hevingham side won 6-2 at home to Watton Yellow with Vic Woods' triple winning 18-5 & 20-3. Watton Yellow fared better at home to Horsford "A" winning 6-2 as June Todd, Joan Bebee & Margaret Hunter won 18-9 & 16-6. Div Three action saw Thurton showing promotion form at Hingham Green where they won 6-2. Trevor Howard was the top Thurton skip winning by 15-10 & 18-8. Horsford "B" drew 4-4 at home to Forncett but with a half filled in scorecard being returned by the home side it is not possible to report the details!

National Club Championships
The preliminary heat at Manea in Cambs saw Bob Carter & First Bus qualify for the finals day at the expense of London side Cucao and Essex team Stoneyhills 1. Defending champions Kirby Bedon had withdrawn from the competition leaving Carter & First Bus carrying Norfolk hopes and they did not disappoint. Carter finished in first place with 21 points and First Bus grabbed the second qualifying place with 16 points. In the clash between the Norfolk sides Carter emerged winners by 5-4 as they won two games apiece but Carter earned the bonus point for shots.

                                       Latest News Updated 07-06-10
Summer Cup  
Summer Cup holders Kirby Bedon "A" are safely through to the second round after a 7-1 win away to fellow Div One side Thorpe Marriott "A". In the first half Kirby Bedon's Carol Aggas, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith withstood a late rally by Tony Frost, Will Hoggan & Kath Frost to win 13-8. A tight game on mat two saw Kirby's Leonora Chilman, John Aggas & Phil Watson draw 12-12 with Marriott's Sheila Redwood, Ted Redwood & Tony Turner. Watson's triple were involved in another close game after the break but a single on the final end helped them to an 11-9 win against Kath Frost's triple to clinch victory for Kirby "A". On the other mat Selwyn Goldsmith's triple beat Tony Turner's triple 18-9.

Summer League
A stunning 8-0 away win for Bob Carter at title holders Kirby Bedon "A" makes them firm favourites for the title after just four games. Jason Woods, Nigel Willard & George Clarke were in superb form for the visitors and in the first half dominated the game against Leonora Chilman, John Aggas & Phil Watson and winning by 17-8. On mat one a great start by Steve Bridge, David Lamb & Melly Woods saw them lead Carol Aggas, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith by 7-1 after four ends. The Kirby triple fought back and the game was level at 10-10 on the eleventh end and the match was decided on the last end with Woods' triple winning 13-11. The second half followed the same pattern with Melly Woods' triple beating Phil Watson's triple by 16-4 while the game between Goldsmith's triple and Clarke's triple was close throughout. Again the last end decided it with Clarke's triple winning 11-9. At Thorpe Marriott "A" George Clarke's triple were again in top form winning their games by 23-9 & 24-7 while Nigel Willard's triple weighed in with wins of 14-12 & 16-8 to leave Marriott "A" without a win after five games. First Bus earned their first win of the season winning 5-3 at Framingham Earl. Bob Pattison, Lesley Crowe & Maurice Kemp opened with a 19-13 win against Karl Bunn's triple before drawing 13-13 with Ray Lumley. Colin Coman, Tony Gray & Bob Oatway's 14-13 win against Lumley sealed the win that moved them off the foot of the table. In Div Two Anglian Windows took maximum points at home to Thorpe Marriott "B". Ken Dease, Maureen Dease & Alan Williamson started strongly beating Malcolm Roe's triple 21-10 and Tony Johnson, Ann Johnson & Mike Boswell was equally impressive beating Richard Kightley 18-8. Boswell's triple were put under more pressure after the break before beating Roe's triple 13-12. Williamson's triple again played well winning 15-8. Three nights later Thorpe Marriott "B" scored their first win after three defeats when they achieved a 6-2 victory at Horsford "A". Margaret McPherson, Sylvia Roe & Malcolm Roe won their games by 13-12 & 17-10 and Dorothy Muttitt, Trevor Hart & Richard Kightley won 18-11 in their first game. David Woodrow's triple scored Horsford's only win beating Kightley's triple 12-10 after the interval.       
                                Latest News Updated 28-05-10
Summer  Cup
Div One side First Bus crashed out of the Summer Cup at the hands of Div 3 side Thurton as the preliminary round produced the first giant killing of the season. Ken McClintock, Jan McClintock & John Ford got Thurton off to a good start beating Maurice Kemp's triple 13-10 but Bob Oatway kept First Bus in the game with a 17-13 win. After the break Tony Gray skipped his First Bus triple to a 16-13 win but Trevor Howard, Pam Grint & Kerry Greenacre put Thurton through on shots as they beat Kemp's triple 22-11. Horsford "B" also progressed safely through after a 6-2 home win against Forncett. Mally Kemp, Sue Fox & Keith Chapman were Horsford's heroes winning their games by 14-10 & 18-15 while Mark "The Marvel" Tuttle added a 22-6 win in his second game.
Summer League
Div One action saw Thorpe Marriott "A" go down 8-0 at Kirby Bedon "A" where Carol Aggas, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith won by 21-10 & 23-6 while Leonora Chilman, John Aggas & Phil Watson won by 16-10 & 20-5. Two days later an unchanged Kirby Bedon "A" team also inflicted a 7-1 home defeat on Framingham Earl in a high scoring match. Selwyn Goldsmith's triple beat Colin Emms' triple 20-5 and then beat Mervyn Blaza's triple 23-8. The Chilman-Watson-Aggas triple stormed to a 29-9 win against Peter Adcock's triple after drawing their opening game 12-12 with Blaza. An understrength Wymondham side still proved too strong for visitors First Bus. Pat Saunders, Mark Linsdell & Chris Mann won 17-9 & 15-4 while Sylvia Archer, Peter King & Brian Saunders won by 19-10 & 10-9. First Bus also went down 6-2 at Kirby Bedon "B" where Chris East, Gerald Chilvers & Bernie Cudden won by 13-12 & 16-7 while Shirley Brown, Jimmy Dye & Joe Brown added a 25-8 win. Kirby Bedon "B" also pulled off a 6-2 win at Thorpe Marriott "A" where Carol Johnson, Gerald Chilvers & Bernie Cudden won by 13-10 & 12-11.
Watton Yellow made it three wins in a row in Div Two as they won 5-3 at Thorpe Marriott "B". Dianne Quadling, David Quadling & Bill Davies beat Malcolm Roe's triple 13-11 and drew 12-12 with Richard Perkins while Margaret Hunter's triple beat Roe 17-8. A strong looking Hevingham team drew 4-4 at Sprowston with Ian McLean, Pat Williamson & Vic "Quiet Man" Woods winning 18-15 & 12-11. Sprowston's points came courtesy of a 24-11 win for Colin Thornton, L Chadwick & Terry Fletcher who beat David Sharpe 24-11 and Margaret Poynter, L Chadwick & Joan Costello who beat Marjorie Hall 14-13.
Div Three results included a 6-2 local derby win for Hingham Yellow against Hingham Green. The biggest win of the night was a 16-9 result for Tony Fennel, Eric Frary & Jane Frary against R Lister's triple. Forncett drew 4-4 at home to Watton Green with Mary Boulter, Merv Boulter & Tony Ottewell beating Don Paffey's triple 26-7 and with Keith Humphreys subbing for Ottewell they beat Alan Baldry's triple 16-9. Thurton brushed aside Forncett 8-0 with Margaret Howlett winning 19-11, Margaret Newcome winning 28-4, John Ford winning 19-10 & Jenny Walker winning 12-9. It is quite unusual to see a side substituting both winning skips for the second half of a game and still winning all four games!


Summer League
Bob Carter maintained their strong start to the Summer League Div One season with a 6-2 away win at Framingham Earl. George Clarke, with Nigel Willard at lead and Steve Bridge at two, beat former Langley star Mervyn Blaza 18-9 and after the break beat Colin Emms 13-10 with Jon Sparham subbing for Bridge at lead. Framingham Earl also suffered a 5-3 home defeat against Kirby Bedon "B" where Shirley Brown, Barry Herman & Joe Brown beat Blaza 15-12 and drew 14-14 with Karl Bunn's triple. Thorpe Marriott "A" were held to a 4-4 home draw at home to First Bus where Ralph Wilson, Colin Coman & Maurice Kemp starred for the visitors with a 24-8 win against Kath Frost and a 20-16 win against Trevor Pinchin. In Div Two Watton Yellow look in good form. They won 8-0 at home to Diss Green with Bryan Dibble's triple winning 18-7 & 17-14 while the Bebee-Quadling-Quadling triple won 17-9 & 10-8. Watton Yellow also claimed the notable scalp of Sprowston when the side relegated from Div One last summer lost 6-2 at Watton. June Todd, Bryan Dibble & Bill Davies did the damage beating John Poynter 19-12 and Peter Smart's triple 16-15. Sprowston fared better the next night winning 6-2 at home to Thorpe Marriott "B". Colin Thornton, David Fuller & Terry Fletcher were Sprowston's stars beating Malcolm Roe 15-11 and Richard Kightley 16-10. Anglian Windows look on paper one of the title favourites in this division but went down 8-0 at Diss Green. Colin Smith, Trish Taylor & Terry Newby won 17-10 against Mike Boswell's triple and 19-10 against David Walker while Keith Buck, Jean Skeat & Graham Mobbs beat David Walker 19-8 and Mike Boswell 12-6. Div Three saw a local derby in which Hingham Green beat Hingham Yellow 6-2. Keith Thomas skipped his triple to wins of 19-14 & 11-10 while Neville Thorpe was the only Hingham Yellow skip to win beating Mike White 24-9.
                                                                              
Summer League & Cup
Summer Cup action saw holders Kirby Bedon "A" win at Horsford "A" in a classic cup tie decided by the final bowl. Kirby looked to be on their way to winning both opening games until Horsford's Richard Dix, Jim Bird & Chris Woodhouse scored seven shots on the last three ends to win 13-12 but Carol Aggas, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith gave the visitors a nine shot interval lead with a 17-7 win. Horsford started strongly after the break and with nine ends played on both mats David Woodrow's triple led John Aggas's triple 12-3 and Chris Woodhouse led Goldsmith 7-6. Despite losing his game John Aggas reduced the margin of his triples defeat to just 15-10 keeping the visitors in front on shots but for Kirby to avoid a cup exit Goldsmith's triple had to win. Trailing 12-11 at the start of the last end the Kirby triple found themselves in deep trouble after two great woods from Horsford's Richard Dix. An attacking bowl from Teresa Goldsmith opened up a tight head but Horsford still held as the skips prepared to plsy their last woods. The Kirby skips first bowl forced the jack over to the left of the jack line leaving Kirby holding one shot on an end where two shots were needed or Horsford were through. Horsford skip Woodhouse failed to reach the head with his last bowl leaving the Kirby skips last wood destined to decide the cup-tie. To the relief of the cup holders Goldsmith drew in to earn them two shots and a 13-12 win to level the match 4-4 on points and to send Kirby Bedon "A" into the next round courtesy of a winning 52-47 shots margin.
Bure/Wensum/Tens Leagues Presentation Night
Blofield Heathlands was the venue for the joint presentation evening and an excellent time was had by all as County Team Assistant Manager Bob Oatway conducted a Fish & Quiz Evening to round off the winter season.

Summer League & Cup
The Norfolk Summer League Div One season began with defending champions Kirby Bedon "A" displaying indifferent form in their early season games. Newly promoted Kirby Bedon "B" beat Kirby "A" 5-3 in their opening local derby with Joe Brown's triple winning 19-8 and drawing their other game 13-13. In the return fixture Kirby Bedon "A" got revenge winning 8-0 with Phil Watson's triple winning 12-9 and 17-7 and Selwyn Goldsmith's triple winning 19-3 and 13-8. Bob Carter, resplendent in their new yellow & green colours, defeated Kirby Bedon "A" 8-0 with Melvin Woods' triple winning 12-11 & 14-11 and George Clarke's triple winning 16-9 and 18-4. It was a pleasure to see Steve Bridge back in action for Carter and with their line-up this year they must fancy their chances to end the ten year stranglehold Kirby Bedon "A" have had on the league title. Wymondham's second season in Div One started brightly as they inflicted a heavy home defeat on Kirby Bedon "B". Sylvia Archer, Shirley Foster & Debbie Phillips stormed to a 21-7 win against Joe Brown's triple while Peter King, Mark Linsdell & Chris Mann won 16-8 against Gerald Chilver's triple. There was to be no fairy tale comeback for Kirby Bedon "B" in the second half as Debbie Phillips beat Gerald Chilvers 15-4 and Chris Mann beat Joe Brown 15-7 for an 8-0 win. Wymondham also negotiated the preliminary round of the Summer Cup with last years beaten finalists winning 6-2 at Watton Yellow. A great first half set them on their way as Pat Saunders, Mark Linsdell & Chris Mann won 24-9 and Sylvia Archer, Steve Phillips & Debbie Phillips won 17-8. After the break Chris Mann's triple made the tie safe winning 21-12 while Watton recorded a consolation win as Margaret Hunter beat Debbie Phillips 19-4. 
ESMBA National Club Championships
The ESMBA further enhanced their reputation for scoring own goals by only informing clubs in the second week of May the dates for the group stages of the National Club Championships starting on June 6th. After the success of the new competition last summer, which was won by Norfolk side Kirby Bedon, clubs were told that information would be sent out early for 2010, but the lateness in informing clubs of dates & venues is bound to cause difficulties for competing teams. Summer League Div One side First Bus had already contacted the ESMBA voicing their concerns regarding the failure to get details out in good time and title holders Kirby Bedon have also indicated that the delay is likely to cause them difficulties in fielding a side. The full draw is;
Group 1 (venue Itchen, date June 27th) Burham (Kent), Chanctonbury Foxes (West Sussex), Cuaco (London) & Portsdown (Hampshire)
Group 2 (venue Manea, date June 6th) Kirby Bedon (Norfolk), Stoneyhills (Essex), First Bus (Norfolk) & Bob Carter (Norfolk)
Group 3 (venue Avon, date June 6th) Crudwell (Wiltshire), Middlezoy (Somerset), Hazelbury Bryan (Dorset) & Hollylane (West Midlands)
Group 4 (venue Itchen, date June 27th) Flight Refuelling (Dorset), Seend (Wiltshire), Westbury Blue Circle (Wiltshire) & Templecoombe (Somerset0
Group 5 (venue Felixstowe, date June 13th) Doddington (Cambs), Sprowston SSC (Norfolk), Wymondham (Norfolk) & Stoneyhills 2 (Essex)
              ( Sources within the ESMBA now suggest these details may be subject to change )
                                                                                                                               Posted 12-5-10
                                                Bure Singles Finals
                                                 Hosted by Kirby Bedon on 19th April 2010


                                                 Philip Clarke
                                                                                                          Posted 16-4-10

The ESMBA are advertising the position of England Team Manager on their web-site and all counties have now been informed of the vacancy. It is believed that two well known figures in the sport have already put themselves forward for the post. Keith Smith, the present Assistant Manager, is thought to be one while the other is well known Essex & England bowler Craig Burgess.  


                                Kempston I.B.C                        Lee Toleman - Singles & Pairs Champion

The National Championships have been played at Kettering for several years but in a move that has generated much discussion among bowlers this season's Championships were staged at Kempston I.B.C. This decision  resulted in players having to adjust to a slower "mat on mat" surface than the much faster leisure centre surface used at Kettering. Any expectation that this would benefit Norfolk players who bowl on this surface at Lakeside were dispelled as the "usual suspects" showed their class. The Championships began on Thursday with the National Singles event. Wymondham's Chris Mann & Connaught's Lee Fallows both made it through to the last 16. Lee Fallows lost 12-6 to Hampshire's highly rated Jason McLean while Ollie Allen was beaten by Devon's Lee Toleman who went on to lift the National Singles crown in dramatic fashion. Toleman was six shots down with only two ends remaining against Andrew Beard of East Sussex before coming back to win 11-10 after an extra end. Friday's National Pairs saw Ollie Allen & Hempnall's Neil Davidson reach the last 32 as did Melvin Woods of Bob Carter & John Turner of East Tuddenham but that proved to be as good as it would get. Allen & Davidson lost 15-7 to Warwickshire's David Hayward & Jon Pitcher while Woods & Turner went down 12-3 to Cheshire's Keith Smith & Ste Tinsley. The Pairs Final again saw Lee Toleman & Andrew Beard face each other and Devon's Toleman, playing with Simon Pridham, again came out on top beating Andrew Beard & Paul Seaman of East Sussex 8-7. The National Fours on Friday proved to be a disaster area for Norfolk as all four Norfolk rinks failed to make it through the group stage. The brilliant Shropshire rink of Warwick France, Alan Williams, Chris Shakeshaft & Chris Williams beat M Young, Babs Morokutti, Craig Burgess & Barry Hedges of Essex 8-6 in the final to retain the trophy they won at Kettering last year. The National Triples on Sunday saw two Norfolk entries reach the last 16 before suffering defeat. Hempnall's Jon Sparham, Halvergate's David Lamb & Bob Carter's Robert Howlett lost to Leigh Hall's Northants triple while Shirley & Joe Brown of Costessey, playing with Kirby Bedon's Gerald Chilvers, lost to J Neal, G Soller & M Walker of Cheshire. In the final Dave Hayward, Tom Millership & Jon Pitcher of Warwickshire became England Triples Champions when they beat M Walker's Cheshire triple.
                                                                                                             Posted 12-4-10


                                                                                                                   Posted 7-4-10
                                                                                                                  
Norfolk County Cup Final
Coltishall are County Cup winners for the third time after defeating Hevingham 6-2 at Connaught. Coltishall adapted better to the Connaught mats with Carol Aggas, Brian Bunting & John Aggas beating George Clarke's triple 22-7, Vernon Bunn, Eddie Edridge & Willie Jefferies beating Alan Bunn 19-6 and Mally Catchpole, Jean Barnett & Margaret Harman winning 17-11 against David Sharpe. Vic Woods' Hevingham triple avoided a complete whitewash by beating Peter Barnett 15-7 but this was Coltishall's night as they lifted the coveted trophy.


Bure League
Coltishall entertained Hevingham in a vital Bure League clash with the visitors needing a minimum of 5 points to keep their hopes alive of catching defending champions Kirby Bedon. It was not to be though as Vernon Bunn, Martin Edridge & Peter Barnett stormed to a 26-5 win against David Sharpe & Ann Ducker, Eddie Edridge & Willie Jefferies beat Vic Woods 21-11. Margaret Harman's triple weighed in with a 17-14 win and it was all over for Hevingham despite George Clarke's triple winning 17-3. The result leaves Kirby Bedon champions for the seventh time since they quit the City of Norwich League to join the Bure League for the 1998/99 season.
Tens League
Hempnall have won the Tens League for the second time. They have looked likely winners for much of the season with a brilliant home record a great basis for success. Last years winners Bob Carter made sure of the runner-up spot with a 4-0 home win against  Coltishall in which Nigel Willard's triple won 21-4 & Melvin Woods' triple won 21-8.
Breckland League
With Wymondham already confirmed as champions the only issue to be settled was the runners-up position. Connaught "A" were at home to Hingham "A" in their last match and made sure of second spot with a convincing 10-0 win. Bill Adcock's triple won 24-10 & Ray Wells' triple won 25-11 as the home side finished the season in style! Yaxham finished third after an 8-2 home win against Banham.
Thurne League
Halvergate are Thurne League champs for the second time. Their narrow 6-4 defeat at Woodbastwick leaves Halvergate untouchable at the top with Bradwell & last years winners Woodbastwick left to fight over second place.
Wensum League
After winning the Wensum Cup Bob Carter still head the Wensum and look favourites to complete the double.
South Norfolk League
Hempnall retained the South Norfolk League title with ease proving far too strong and talented for any other side in this league. Connaught will be delighted to have finished second ahead of three good teamsSaxlingham, Horsford & Thurton.
 
                                                                                                      Posted 29-3-10

                                                                      Chris Kettley 


                              Norfolk Appoint New County Team Manager
Following Brian Saunders decision not to seek re-election after his four year stint as Norfolk Manager the  N.C.S.M.B.A Management Committee voted to appoint Lianne Mills to the position with Bob Oatway as Assistant Manager. Lianne will be the first female Norfolk County Team manager as well as the youngest. Lianne impressed the Committee as she spoke of her pride in wearing the green jacket and outlined her plans to take the Norfolk teams forward. The Chairman thanked Brian Saunders for his work and commitment to the Norfolk team over the last four years on behalf of the Committee.  
        Lianne Mills - takes up the post of Norfolk County Team Manager on 1st April  

                                            Latest News Updated 20-03-10
South-East Championships
It was a successful South-East Championship weekend for Norfolk who were celebrating after winning both the pairs & fours titles at Wymondham. On Saturday Kirby Bedon's Phil Watson & Selwyn Goldsmith were unstoppable winning all their games to lift the South East Pairs title with Tony Ealham & Rita Blackhall of Essex second. It was Goldsmith's third South-East Pairs title but the first one for Watson. On Sunday Norfolk lifted the South-East Fours title with Nigel Willard of Bob Carter, Jon Sparham of Hempnall, David Lamb of Halvergate & Melvin Woods of Bob Carter dominating proceedings with Lonnie Fyson's Cambs rink in the runners-up spot. The triples were won by Ann Rawlings, Michael Franks and Lawrie Rawlings of Suffolk with Tony Ealham's Essex triple in second place. Suffolk bowlers came first and second in the South-East Singles with John Warne winning and Michael Rice finishing runner-up. 
                  South-East Pairs Champions Phil Watson & Selwyn Goldsmith

                                                    South-East Fours Champions
                           David Lamb, Melvin Woods, Nigel Willard & Jon Sparham

Breckland League
Another 10-0 home win for Wymondham against Watton clinched their first ever Breckland league title. In the first half the visitors put up stubborn resistance with Terry Crockett's triple losing to Chris Mann by just 17-16 while John Hunter's triple also lost by just one shot to Brian Saunders. The second half was dominated by Wymondham as Debbie Phillips' triple beat Maggie Dibble 27-6 and Steve Phillips' triple beat Margaret Hunter 26-8.
Tens League
Connaught won 4-0 at home to Hevingham with their pairs inflicting serious damage on the visitors. Gordon Wilcox & Bob Oatway beat Lesley Crowe & George Clarke 17-6 while Chris Musk & Ollie Allen won by 16-6 against Ian McLean & Gordon Crowe. Bottom side Horsford Heroes pulled off a shock 2-0 win at Coltishall with Roger Franks' triple beating Margaret Harman.
Thurne League
Woodbastwick moved up to within four points of leaders Halvergate after a 10-0 home win against South Walsham.
Norwich Cup
                      David Dewing collected three vital points for Sprowston at Carter

                                                 Latest News Updated 16-03-10
Norfolk County Cup
Coltishall were held to a 4-4 draw on points at home to Thurton in their County Cup semi-final clash but the home side are through to the final on shots. Coltishall captain Willie Jefferies went down 14-11 to Kerry Greenacre and Peter Barnett lost 13-12 to Trevor Howard as Thurton threatened to produce a shock result. Coltishall won through after Margaret Harman's triple beat Anne Rix 20-12 and Andy Wooden beat Albert Reynolds 16-10.
South Norfolk League
Hempnall clinched the South Norfolk League title with three games to spare as they beat Mulbarton 10-0. It was all too easy for them as Jon Sparham's triple won 23-4 and Charlie Archer's triple won 26-4 for their eleventh win from eleven games. The only question now is if they can win their last three games to complete a perfect record of fourteen wins. Connaught have finished their fixtures but are assured of the runners-up spot. Despite beating Wreningham 9-1 Saxlingham have just missed out on the honours this season. M Razzell, M McCluskey & J Torbitt were their biggest scorers winning 24-5. Three teams, Mulbarton, Wreningham & Watton have been cast adrift at the foot of the table and they all met each other this week as they fight to avoid finishing bottom. Mulbarton's 8-2 defeat at Wreningham leaves them four points behind next to bottom Watton and leaves them favourites to fill that unwanted spot. Ken Clarke, Linda Packer & Glenda Adcock scored a big 34-4 win for Wreningham.
Thurne League
Halvergate are now 17 points clear at the top after an 8-2 win at bottom club South Walsham. Second placed Bradwell took a maximum 10-0 win at home to Stalham while third placed Woodbastwick did the same at home to Hemsby.
Tens League
Hempnall took a massive step towards clinching the Tens League title with two vital away wins. They won 4-0 at Horsford Heroes winning on all four mats. The triples inflicted most damage shots wise as Joan Cann, Richard Harrowing & Jon Sparham won 20-8 and Syd Harman, Roger Parker & Neil Davidson won 19-9. At Hevingham Bernie Cudden & Chris Mann clinched a 2-0 win by beating Lesley Crowe & George Clarke 21-12. Chris East, Richard Harrowing & Jon Sparham weighed in with a 13-10 win against David Sharpe's triple while wins for Hevingham's Gordon Crowe & Maurice Kemp reduced the overall arrears to just two shots. Coltishall won 3-0 at Kirby Bedon as the home sides nightmare season in the Tens League continues. Coltishall's Les & Margaret Harman played a very effective attacking game against Jill & Phil Watson and were 11-3 up after eight ends. A brief recovery saw the Watsons reduce the lead to 11-7 after eleven ends but the Harmans won the last four ends for a 17-7 win. On the other mat Bob Pattison's Kirby triple won by a narrow 13-12 against Peter Barnett's triple. After the break Coltishall won on both mats with Ann Ducker, Eddie Edridge & Willie Jefferies beating Gerald Chilver's triple 13-12 while Carol & John Aggas scored a fantastic five on the last end to beat Jimmy Dye & Alistair Hunter 16-11.
Breckland League
The top of the table clash saw Wymondham win at Connaught "A" for the first time ever. The 6-4 win ensures that Wymondham remain hot favourites to take the title for the first time. The opening session was shared with Diane Adcock, Sylvia Parsons & Ray Wells beating Debbie Phillips' triple 18-14 while Wymondham gained a shots advantage as Pat Saunders, M Fisher & Steve Phillips beat Bill Adcock's triple 21-10. After the break Ollie Allen's Connaught triple won 17-12 against Brian Saunders but a solid 22-13 win for Chris Mann against Sheila Bragg sealed a notable Wymondham win.
Breckland 5 Pairs Final
Wymondham's season of success continued as they defeated Connaught "A" by two shots in an exciting 5 Pairs Final at Watton. It was a completely different story from last year when Connaught had outplayed Wymondham in the final but this years Wymondham team has reached a new level as a glance at the league table will tell you. Sylvia Archer & Brian Saunders gave Wymondham a five shot lead beating Bill & Diane Adcock 9-4 in the opening game. The next three games all went Connaught's way with Chris Musk & Sylvia Parsons beating Shirlay Foster & Debbie Phillips 8-7, Ollie Allen & Lee Fallows beating Pat Saunders & Steve Phillips 8-7 and Derek Lyles & Sheila Bragg's 10-6 win against Mark Linsdell & Peter King giving Connaught a 30-29 lead with one game remaining. In the final game Wymondham's Melvyn Barker & Chris Mann faced Connaught's Mike Parsons & Ray Wells with the outcome resting on their shoulders and the Wymondham pair skipped by Mann immediately put the pressure on leading 4-0 after two ends. The Connaught pair tried but could not pull back the deficit trailing 8-3 with three ends to go. Parsons & Wells reduced Wymondham's lead to 9-6 by the end but this was not enough to stop Wymondham lifting the Breckland 5 Pairs title by 38-36 on shots.

                                Wymondham SMBC have won the Breckland 5 Pairs
L to R - Peter King, Mel Baker, Pat Saunders, Mark Linsdell, Mary Fisher, Debbie Phillips, Steve Phillips, Sylvia Archer, Shirley Foster, Brian Saunders, Chris Mann

Bure Cup Final
Hevingham put an early end to the Bure Cup Final with an incredible 21-3 win against Woodbastwick. The extent of the win prompted Woodbastwick to concede the match without the second leg being played. Gill Bunn, John Richardson & Vic Woods won by 4-1, 6-3 & 8-2 for maximum points. Ian MacLean, Lesley Crowe & George Clarke followed suit winning by 4-3, 8-4 & 5-4 as did Alan Bunn, Gordon Crowe & David Sharpe who won their games 8-0, 5-4 & 7-2.
Bure League
Title rivals Coltishall & Kirby Bedon met with Coltishall's strong second half display sweeping the visitors aside. In the first half Ann Ducker, Eddie Edridge & Willie Jefferies beat Kirby's Phil Watson 18-9 but Kirby's Leonora Chilman, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith hit back beating Peter Barnett's triple 13-11. Home mat knowledge showed after the break with Mally Catchpole, Jean Barnett & Margaret Harman beating Alistair Hunter's triple 20-9 and Carol Aggas, Brian Bunting & John Aggas beating Joe Brown's triple 18-9 for a vital 8-2 home win. Anglian Windows won 8-2 at home to St Faiths with Pat Curchin, Avril Walker & David Walker winning by a huge 34-2 margin against R Hannant's triple. Mike Boswell & Alan Williamson also skipped their triples to wins for Windows while M Mack's St Faith's triple beat Ken Dease 11-8.
    
                                      ESMBA CRISIS RESOLVED
                                                                                                          Posted 16-03-10

Cup holders Kirby Bedon are out after losing at Hevingham on shots after the game finished at 4-4 on points. The match was level at the break after Shirley Brown, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith won 15-12 for the cup holders against Pat Williamson's triple and Hevingham's Gill Bunn, John Richardson & Vic Woods had beaten Phil Watson's triple 24-3. After the break Alistair Hunter's Kirby triple beat David Sharpe's triple 17-10 but Hevingham continued to increase their shots lead as George Clarke's triple beat Gerald Chilvers 21-4.
Norwich Cup
Woodbastwick overcame Cromer to reach the final for the seventh time after a great semi-final battle played out over two legs. Cromer enjoyed home advantage in the first leg but were stunned to find themselves 10-2 down on points at the interval. A great comeback saw Cromer level the score at 12-12 on points with Woodbastwick taking just a two shot lead into the second leg. Yet again Woodbastwick produced a 10-2 first half lead to leave them 22-14 up on aggregate but any thoughts of a comfortable victory evaporated as Cromer won three of the next four games. Cromer's dreams of cup glory finally ended as the final session was shared leaving Woodbastwick with a 26-22 aggregate win. Sprowston sprang a massive shock in their semi-final first leg match at home to Bob Carter by handing out a 19-5 beating to the six time cup winners. In fact the scale of the defeat could have been even greater as Sprowston went into the last session 19-1 up but Nigel Willard & Melvin Woods both skipped their triples to late wins against Peter Smart & David Dewing. Margaret Poynter, Tony Mayhew & John Poynter were Sprowston's top triple winning their three games by 7-2, 8-5 & 9-0 while Colin Thornton, David Fuller & Terry Fletcher won two games and drew the other. Bob Carter will now hope that their fast Verde mats will enable them to hit back in the second leg but they have a mountain to climb if they are to reach another final.
South Norfolk League
The top of the table clash saw Hempnall record their tenth straight win with a 6-4 victory at Connaught. Hempnall's county stars led the way with Jon Sparham winning 14-4 and Chris Mann winning 19-6. Connaught also lost at Horsford by 8-2 where Roger Frank's triple won 21-10. Chris Musk, Ty Musk & Sheila Bragg did their best to snatch the match points for Connaught with a 24-9 win but the home side scored 59 shots against 57. Thurton showed some of the form they had last season beating Mulbarton 10-0 with Jenny Walker, Jan McClintock & A Reynolds winning 32-4. Horsford won a close match 6-4 at Mulbarton. Connaught brushed aside Saxlingham 10-0 with Alan Marshall, Philomena King & Ollie Allen winning 21-9.
Thurne League
Halvergate's 10-0 home win against Stalham takes them 19 points clear of second placed Bradwell. A close match at Woodbastwick saw visitors Bradwell finish four shots ahead for a 6-4 win. Bottom of the table South Walsham went down 8-2 at Hemsby.
Tens League
Horsford Heroes came close to their first away win of the season but lost by just one shot at Woodbastwick. In the pairs Norma & Peter Jablonowski produced an 18-13 win for the home side but Sue Fox & Mick Dale replied with a 15-9 win for the visitors. Horsford's Peter Fox, David Crosby & Vic Webster won 15-7 in the triples but Woodbastwick's Damian Lamb, Brian Frost & Jim Couling won 18-8 against Roger Frank to give their side a 2-0 win on points, 52-51 on shots.  
Bure League
It was a massive week with all four title chasing sides in action and Hevingham without a doubt emerging with the widest smiles! At home to East Tuddenham they amassed 72 shots against just 33 for a maximum 10-0 win. Gill Bunn, John Richardson & Vic Woods stormed to a 21-4 win against Russell Harris while Maurice Kemp's triple beat Owen Secker 17-6. At home to league leaders Kirby Bedon a close first half saw Hevingham's Pat Bunn, Pat Williamson & Maurice Kemp defeat Phil Watson's triple 14-12 but Shirley Brown, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith hit back for Kirby beating George Clarke's triple 11-8 in a tense battle. The second half belonged to Hevingham with David Sharpe's triple winning 16-6 and Vic Woods' triple winning 19-12. Kirby did win 8-2 at Horsford with Jill Watson, Shirley Brown & Phil Watson winning 19-3 and Peter Johnson, Jimmy Dye & Bob Pattison winning 18-10 while Bob Burrage's triple scored the home sides only win. Coltishall's title hopes took a knock with an 8-2 defeat at Anglian Windows where Diane Halford, Keith Halford & Mike Boswell won 17-8. Coltishall's away game at East Tuddenham resulted in the home side winning 6-4 with Geraldine Potter, Denny Cross & Russell Harris winning 23-13 against Peter Barnett. Woodbastwick kept their faint title hopes alive with an 8-2 home win against Horsford with Michael Fox, Trevor Howard & Tony Wright winning 27-4 while Bob Burrage's triple again secured Horsford's only points beating Peter Jablonowski's triple 16-13.
Breckland League
Wymondham continue on to what is looking like their first ever Breckland title despite slipping up at Banham. Defending champions Yaxham appear to have too much ground to make up after losing 6-4 at home to Wymondham. Three Wymondham triples, skipped by Steve Phillips, Chris Mann & Debbie Phillips, all won but a big win by Owen Secker's triple claimed the two match points for Yaxham. Wymondham's great home form continued as they beat Connaught "B" 10-0 with Debbie Phillips winning 26-10. Banham are always dangerous on their own mats as Wymondham found to their cost losing only their second league game of the season. Val Footer, Derek Gray & John Williamson beat Debbie Phillips' triple 29-10 as they picked up an excellent 8-2 win. Mike Parsons, Ty Musk & Sheila Bragg of Connaught "A" won 25-9 but Watton gave the home side a headache on the other three mats. Margaret Hunter's triple drew 15-15 with Ollie Allen, Maggie Dibble's triple beat Derek Lyles 17-16 and Terry Crockett lost by just two shots to Sylvia Parsons in a 7-3 home win for Connaught. 
                                                           
                                                                                                     Posted 1-3-10                                                           Latest News Updated 1-3-10
Bure League
Defending champions Kirby Bedon entertained Hevingham in a clash between two title contenders. The first half was shared as Kirby's Carol Johnson, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith beat David Sharpe's Hevingham triple 23-7 and visiting triple Gill Bunn, John Richardson & Vic "Quiet Man" Woods beat Phil Watson's triple 17-12. After the break Kirby wrapped up a solid 8-2 home win with Peter Johnson, Jimmy Dye & Alistair Hunter winning 20-5 against Pat Williamson's triple and Shirley Brown, Joe Brown & Gerald Chilvers beating former Kirby player George Clarke by 12-11. Hevingham picked up a useful 8-2 win at Anglian Windows where Gordon Crowe, John Richardson & Vic Woods won 20-5 and Pat Bunn, Pat Williamson & Maurice Kemp won 20-10. A close match at Coltishall saw East Tuddenham finish just four shots down but the home side picked up a 7-3 points win. Carol Aggas, Jean Barnett & John Aggas scored Coltishall's biggest win beating Russell Harris' triple 16-5 but a big 17-6 win for Albert Palgrave, Chrissie Turner & John Turner kept the visitors in the hunt. Coltishall captain Willie Jefferies skipped his triple to an 11-7 win while Peter Barnett & Robin Amos drew 10-10.
Breckland League
Connaught "A" visited lowly Harling hoping for a big win to boost their title push but instead were involved in a terrific match that they won by just two shots for a 6-4 points win. For Harling Brian Knappett's triple won 24-11 and Roy Buffery's triple won 18-8 as the visitors were put under intense pressure. Connaught hit back to snatch the bonus points with Derek Liles' triple winning 21-12 & Sheila Bragg's triple winning 25-9. Watton's good home form continued with a 10-0 win against Forncett as David Quadling, Diane Quadling & Ron Harvey won 30-8. Watton lost 10-0 at Connaught "B" in an entertaining match. A good final six ends gave Connaught's Philomena King, Ron Madden & Alison Rush a 17-10 win while Joyce Hazell's triple came back from 16-9 down to win 19-17.
Tens League
Leaders Hempnall had a mixed week winning at home to Bob Carter but losing at Kirby Bedon. Bernie Cudden & Jon Sparham romped to a 27-3 win against J & M Woods so despite the other games being tight all four match points went Hempnall's way. At Kirby Bedon Leonora Chilman, Peter Johnson & Gerald Chilvers beat Sid Harman, Neil Davidson & Roger Parker 24-9 as Hempnall lost 4-0, only their second defeat this season. Coltishall won 2-0 at Woodbastwick in a strange game that saw both teams produce big wins in the pairs. Coltishall's Eddie Edridge & Willie Jefferies won 21-7 against D Lamb & Trevor Hallett but this was cancelled out as Norma & Peter Jablonowski beat their pld County team mates Carol & John Aggas 21-6. Jim Couling's triple edged a 16-15 win against Peter Barnett but the game was won for Coltishall as Margaret Harman's triple beat Derek Sheldrake's triple 14-9. 

                                 Inter-County Championships
                                                             Played 27-2-10
Norfolk "A" 17 (170) Bucks 23 (182)

Norfolk "A" fought hard against Bucks in their I.C.C Consolation Semi-Final clash in Northants but slipped to a 23-17 defeat. Peter Adcock, Colin Coman, David Dewing & Les Chadwick finished with maximum points in the rinks while Peter Smart won 20-9 in his opening singles game and drew his second. Sheila Bragg won her second game 21-8 to finish on a high but a wipe-out in the triples, where Bucks took all ten points, shattered their hopes.


                           Peter Smart                                                        David Dewing

                                                        
                                                               Mick Mortimer
                                                                                                                     Posted 26-02-10
               ESMBA CRISIS - INFORMATION FOR NORFOLK MEMBERS

                                      Inter-County Championships
                                                                Played 20-02-10
Norfolk Premier 7 Wiltshire 21

Defending champions Kirby Bedon defeated Horsford BC 10-0 despite a spirited performance from some of the visitors especially Paul Isgate. Peter Johnson, Jimmy Dye & Alistair Hunter romped to an easy 30-1 win and a late surge by Gerald Chilver's triple saw them win 23-9. A great match at Woodbastwick saw the home side defeat Hevingham 8-2 with only four shots separating the teams. Home skips Norma Jablonowski, Tony Wright & Peter Jablonowski all won narrowly with Maurice Kemp's 13-9 win against Jim Couling the only Hevingham victory. Woodbastwick did less well at title chasing East Tuddenham where the home side won 8-2. Rita Secker, Madge Meachen & Owen Secker won 19-10, Geraldine Potter, Denny Cross & Peter Smart won 18-12 and John Turner's triple won 13-7. The biggest win of the night was by Woodbastwick's Arthur Foster, Derek Oakes & Peter Jablonowski who beat Robin Amos 21-7. St Faiths suffered a massive 10-0 on points, 112-19 on shots, defeat at Coltishall where John Aggas won 33-5, Willie Jefferies won 34-3 and Peter Barnett won 29-2. Kirby Bedon had to settle for an 8-2 home win against St Faiths with the absence of key players affecting the side. The biggest win was a 19-6 result for Carol Johnson, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown.


Tens League
Hevingham won a hard earned two points at Woodbastwick with Pat Williamson's triple winning 13-10 & David Sharpe's triple winning 11-7. Woodbastwick's Michael Fox & Trevor Hallett won their pairs game 13-11 while the other pairs game was drawn.
Breckland League
Wymondham are setting a hot pace after two more good wins. E Barker, Peter King & Chris Mann led the way at Hingham "A" with a 25-15 win as they won 8-2. They also produced another massive 10-0 home win at the expense of Carleton Rode. Pat Saunders, Peter King & Steve Phillips won 33-6 and Mary Fisher, Shirley Foster & Debbie Phillips won 28-4 as Carleton Rode were crushed 103-33 on shots. Carleton Rode fared much better at home with a 10-0 win against Harling & an 8-2 win against Hingham "A". M Newby, J Davidson & R Davidson won their game by 28-13 against Hingham while R Lorn, M Baker & R Baker scored a 33-12 win against Harling. Forncett's Andrew Coleman, Joan Rumsby & Dennis Rumsby helped their side to a tight 6-4 home win against Hingham "B" with a 21-6 win. 

                          Geoff Payne lifts City League Singles Crown

                   
                                 Inter-County Championships
                                                          Played 13-02-10

Norfolk "A" 29 v Shropshire "A" 11

Norfolk "A" are through to the I.C.C Consolation semi-final stage after a solid win against Shropshire. Maximum points were earned in the pairs as Jenny & Peter Walker won their games by 19-5 & 14-11 while Chris Musk & Elaine Cole won 19-7 & 11-8. The singles picked up eight points as Peter Smart won twice and Sheila Bragg once. Les Chadwick's rink won their games by 19-2 & 13-4 while Ty Musk's rink won once. Ray Lamb's triple  won their second game while Alison Rush's triple drew their second game. Norfolk "A" now meet Bucks in the semi-finals.

                                                Latest News updated 17-02-10
Bure League
The title race looks wide open with no team able to yet claim the title favourites role. East Tuddenham won 9-1 at home to Anglian Windows with Geraldine Potter, Denny Cross & Russell Harris winning 19-9 but all the other three games were tight and Windows will feel unlucky not to have earned more from this match. Kirby Bedon completed a league double against East Tuddenham winning 8-2 at home, the same result as they achieved at Tuddenham. Kirby's Peter Johnson, Jimmy Dye & Alistair Hunter recovered from 9-6 down after eleven ends to beat Robin Amos 17-9 while Phil Watson's & Selwyn Goldsmith's triples both won. John Turner earned Tuddenham their two points with the last wood of his game against Gerald Chilvers. St Faiths tend to struggle against the top teams in the league but came close to a shock result at home to Hevingham where they went down by just one shot in a 7-3 points defeat. Rita Minter, David Guyton & John Pye of St Faiths beat Vic "Quiet Man" Woods 20-7 while Richard Hart's triple earned a 12-12 draw. Janet Kemp, Lesley Crowe & George Clarke did most to rescue Hevingham from defeat as they beat M Mack's triple 18-7. In their next game Hevingham returned to form with a 10-0 home win against Horsford BC with Vic Woods' triple winning 27-6 and Maurice Kemp's triple winning 28-2. Coltishall's Carol Aggas, Brian Bunting & John Aggas spearheaded an 8-2 away win at Horsford as they won 21-9 against Mick Dale's triple.

Breckland League
Title favourites Wymondham romped to a 10-0 victory against Hingham "B" scoring 137 shots against just 27. Hingham, rooted to the bottom with thirteen straight defeats, had no answer as Wymondham ripped them apart on all four mats. Melvyn Barker, Mark Linsdell & Brian Saunders won 32-6, Mary Fisher, Peter King & Chris Mann won 37-8, Enid Barker, Pat Saunders & Steve Phillips won 37-6 and Sylvia Archer, Shirley Foster & Debbie Phillips won 31-7 in a one-sided encounter. Defending champions Yaxham suffered a 6-4 defeat at Watton where the home triple of Roger Kerrison, M Seagar & Jim Delaney won 26-11. Yaxham won 8-2 at home to struggling Harling but visitors Betty Murphy, Terence Murphy & Terry Hewitson scored a surprise 26-11 win. It was local derby time at Connaught where the "A" team beat the "B" team 10-0 with Lee Fallows, Bob Oatway & Ollie Allen winning 29-10. Hingham "A" beat Forncett 8-2 with Jenny Potton, Colin Harris & Mike White winning 28-10. 
South Norfolk League
Hempnall are now in pole position to retain the title after a resounding 10-0 win at title rivals Saxlingham. They also won 8-2 at home to Horsford despite a shock 14-12 defeat for Paul Baker's triple against David Woodrow. Saxlingham's title hopes took another knock at Horsford where they lost 8-2 as Keith Chapman's triple won 25-6. The only win for Saxlingham was delivered by Pat Meale, making a debut in the South Norfolk League, Peter Cook & Geoff Briggs. Third placed Connaught beat bottom club Watton 8-2 with Ty Musk, Chris Musk & Sheila Bragg winning 26-4. Wreningham beat Thurton 6-4 with J Bond's triple winning 23-5 against Ann Rix.
Coastal League
Woodbastwick Eagles have been confirmed as Coastal League champions finishing six points clear of local rivals Woodbastwick Owls. Bradwell Blue finished ten points back in third place.
Coastal Cup
Woodbastwick Eagles have started off their Coastal Cup campaign with five straight wins including a 13-5 home win against Bradwell reds and a 10-8 local derby win against Woodbastwick Owls. Second placed Bradwell Blue slammed Hemsby 16-2 but Hemsby fared better at home to the Owls beating them 12-6.
Tens League
Despite the heroics of Horsford's David Davitt & Keith Chapman, who beat Chris Musk & Ollie Allen 25-12 in the pairs, Connaught snatched a 2-0 home win. Ty Musk, Bill Adcock & Ray Wells won their triples game 18-8 to ensure a home win.

     SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN ESMBA CRISIS

Former ESMBA President Roy Grapes entered the debate this week describing events surrounding the ESMBA as the "worst crisis in its 25 year history."


     Babs Morokutti           George Clarke          Peter Winter               Roy Grapes             Keith Hawkins
    Minute Secretary              President            Vice-President           Past President           Admin Support


                                                                                                     This item posted 8-2-10

                                                         Latest News posted 9-2-10
Norfolk Cup
Cup holders Kirby Bedon are through to this season's semi-finals after defeating South Norfolk League giants Hempnall 6-2. In the first half Kirby's Jill Watson, Janice Hewitt & Phil Watson were 8-1 up after five ends against Russell Davidson, Roger Parker & Neil Davidson and led throughout winning 17-8. Hempnall's Ruth Penn, Bernie Cudden & Paul Baker started well against Carol Johnson, Peter Johnson & Selwyn Goldsmith and were 5-0 up after three ends but the Kirby triple turned up the heat to win all but one of the remaining twelve ends to win 15-6. After the break Alistair Hunter's triple sealed victory for Kirby Bedon with a big 22-6 win to earn them an away tie against Hevingham in the semi-finals.Thurton will face a difficult trip to Coltishall in the other semi-final.

                      Kirby Bedon's Jill Watson                                    Hempnall's Jon Sparham
Breckland League
Leaders Banham won 10-0 at Hingham "B" scoring 102 shots against just 26 as the bottom club were simply outgunned. Tony Blackburn's triple won 25-5 and Jim Delaney's triple won 32-6 as Banham had a field day. The following evening Banham were brought down to earth as they lost 8-2 at mid-table Forncett where P Lock's triple inflicted a 23-9 defeat on the table toppers. The big match was the clash between title chasing Connaught "A" and defending champs Yaxham. Owen Secker's triple got the visitors off to a flying start beating Derek Lyles' triple 22-7 but Sylvia Parsons' triple beat Russell Harris 16-15 to keep the match level on points at the break. Connaught's all County triple of Lee Fallows, Bob Oatway & Ollie Allen beat Yaxham star John Turner 15-9 in the second half while Sheila Bragg's triple beat Robin Amos 15-13 to give Connaught "A" a 6-4 points win. Yaxham collected a valuable 8-2 home win against Hingham "A" with Russell Flint, Denny Cross & Russell Harris winning 23-7. Wymondham are now handily placed in third place with games in hand on all their rivals after a maximum 10-0 home win against Harling. Peter King's triple won 34-4, Debbie Phillips' triple won 29-4 and Steve Phillips' triple won 25-11 while Chris Mann's triple sneaked in with a 15-13 win to confirm Wymondham as title favourites.


                         

                               Norfolk County Mixed Fours
                                                 PLAYED AT LAKESIDE 6-12-09
One of the best county finals in recent years saw Jenny Walker of Haddiscoe, Jean Woods of Bob Carter, David Lamb of Halvergate & Jon Sparham of Hempnall pick up their first ever Norfolk County Mixed Fours title when they defeated Wymondham's Pat Saunders, Brian Saunders, Debbie Phillips & Steve Phillips by 8-7. On the first end two good woods from Pat Saunders at lead gave Wymondham a good start but a great attacking wood by England's David Lamb left his rink holding two shots. Their joy was short-lived as Debbie immediately despatched the jack into the ditch and Wymondham took two shots. With both leads, Pat Saunders & Jenny Walker, putting down some great woods a tight head quickly built up but when the jack was pushed through it was to Wymondham's advantage and they held three shots. Jon Sparham attempted to attack the head with his final wood but hit the block and Wymondham were 5-0 up. Sparham's rink badly needed to get into this match and were helped as Jeannie Woods took shot with a toucher and a Jenny Walker toucher was put in the ditch as insurance. Debbie Phillips then produced a great forehand to spoil their chance of a big end but Sparham's rink still scored their first shot to make it 5-1. By now Sparham had moved to number three with David Lamb at skip and on the fourth end they held another two before Steve Phillips played a superb wood to extend Wymondham's lead to 6-1 and they looked hot favourites. The fifth end was a cracker and Jon Sparham & David Lamb played four superb woods between them as their rink took a massive six to turn the game on its head and give them a 7-6 lead. The Wymondham rink were shell-shocked by this unexpected turn of events in a game that they had dominated up to this point and on the next end Lamb's rink suddenly seemed far more confident as they played their woods. Two great woods by Jenny Walker gave them an early advantage and Jean Woods consolidated as Wymondham were put in trouble again but Brian Saunders opened up the head with an attacking bowl. First Debbie Phillips drew shot and then David Lamb as the tension grew on the penultimate end. Steve Phillips had the last wood and he was one down but he was not quite accurate enough and Lamb's rink were 8-6 up with an end to play. Again two great lead woods by Jenny Walker gave her rink a great start and Jean Woods covered Wymondham's two back bowls. Again Brian Saunders opened up the head with an attacking wood  but Jean Woods drew shot with her second wood. Saunders again kept Wymondham's hopes alive taking the jack back so that they held two shots. Sparham took one Wymondham bowl out with a backhand shot and this was followed by a firing wood from Debbie Phillips that touched the jack aside but went through into the ditch. Sparham was asked to push one of their bowls through to the back which he did perfectly and Debbie Phillips again played a weight wood that was so close but not close enough. Lamb then put in a short blocker to try and hamper Steve Phillips effort. Phillips elected to fire but hit another short wood and Lamb's rink were still holding. With his last wood Lamb put in another short blocker. A super forehand attack shot by Phillips evaded Lamb's blocker and took the jack into the ditch for shot but, to the dismay of Wymondham, Lamb's rink held second wood and had held on for an 8-7 victory and the Norfolk Mixed Fours Championship title. All eight players can be more than happy with their performance although Wymondham will have nightmares about the fifth end. In the play-off for third place Pam Crockett of Watton, Eric Frary of Hingham, Jane Frary of Hingham & Terry Crockett of Watton beat Lynn Frank, Peter Fox, Sue Fox & Roger Frank of Horsford Heroes by 7-5.  

                     David Lamb, Jeannie Woods, Jon Sparham & Jenny Walker