Halvergate’s tremendous home record should have been daunting for a Thetford side visiting them for the first time. But the home side had to be on their best form to subdue their brave Breckland League opposition in the closing stages of their Norwich Cup semi-final tie. The fact that ex England player David Lamb was called upon to play no less then eighteen of the thirty ends for his Halvergate team tells a story in itself. Halvergate played their first wildcard on the very first end which backfired on them as Thetford opened the match with a count of four shots. Thetford stunned Halvergate by winning the first three ends to lead 6-0 and after six ends Thetford's 8-1 lead was ringing alarm bells for the Bure League champions who are used to dominating teams at their Upton venue. Halvergate played a master stroke playing their second wildcard on the seventh end and their three shots, doubled up to six, brought the visitors down to earth as their lead was cut to just 8-7. Halvergate then moved ahead winning the next three ends as well to move 13-8 up. Thetford refused to give up though and some excellent play kept them well in the game at just 21-17 down after nineteen ends. Gradually though Halvergate gained control of the match moving 31-18 in front after twenty-four ends with the final score after the 30 ends 39-24 in favour of Halvergate. Thetford’s Peter Harvey was upbeat after the match saying, quite rightly, that it was a great game. He said that “we can only hope for more entries next season and we will certainly like to play in the cup again.” He was referring to the disappointing low entry for a cup competition that has provided a unique short mat bowls competition. Halvergate will play the winners of the Watton Expendables v Wymondham semi-final clash in the final. The winning Halvergate team was comprised of David Lamb, Ryan Fox, David Crosby, Keith Cooke, Robbie Lamb, Ray Lamb, Donna Lamb & Jackie Smith while Thetford’s team was Neil Thomas, Peter Scarborough, Clive Eke, Mike Holbrook, Glynis Holbrook, Suzanne Kenny, Peter Harvey & Jason Martin.
Halvergate star and former England international David Lamb