Norfolk “A” was defeated by Devon “A” in the Inter-County Championship Preliminary Knock-Out Round played at Solihull this weekend. The match proved to be a close one up to the half-way stage with both teams level at 8 points apiece. In the singles John Jeffery of Wymondham won his opening game against J Parnell by 14-6 while Shropham’s Andy Rawnsley lost his by 23-8 against I Nicholls. The pairs also won one and lost one with Mike Smail of Forncett & Robin Amos of Thorpe Marriott winning by 20-9 against R Burdock & B Hallowes while Hempnall’s Gavin Gray & Jack Gray went down 16-8 to R Wilson & D Summers. The deadlock continued into the second session with Billie Barker of Wymondham, Will Townsend of Hingham & Harling’s George Hume winning 15-6 against S Weighill’s triple while Thorpe Marriott’s Jenny Walker and Halvergate’s Steve Hall & Ray Lamb went down 19-4 to R Phipps’ triple. The fours games were also shared as Elaine Willies of Watton Expendables, Hayley Osborne of Wymondham, Graham Mobbs of Diss & Wymondham’s Melvyn Barker won by 10-7 against C Sowden’s rink while Forncett’s Jan Smail, Hingham’s Joy Townsend, Thetford’s Jason Martin & Halvergate’s Steven Lamb lost 9-7 to S Young’s rink. Devon pulled ahead in session three with Andy Rawnsley losing a tight singles game by 14-12 while John Jeffrey went down 21-4. In the pairs Gavin & Jack Gray drew their game 10-10 but Mike Smail & Robin Amos lost a close game 14-10. These results saw Devon pick up the bonus points in both disciplines. This left Norfolk needing to win all four games in session four, as well as making up the shots deficit in the triples, if they were to win the match. In the triples hopes rose as Ray Lamb’s triple won 20-7 but a narrow 12-10 defeat for George Hume’s triple left Devon with the points they needed despite the triples bonus points going Norfolk’s way. The Fours discipline also saw Devon earn a win as Melvyn Barker’s rink lost 13-7 against S Young’s rink while Steve Lamb’s rink scored a 10-7 win against C Sowden’s rink. The final score was 25-15 to Devon “A” on points and 193-169 on shots. A good performance by Norfolk “A” to make it to the knock-out rounds but Devon proved just that little bit too strong on the day.
Good start for John Jeffery who won his first game by 14-6