Both Norfolk Premier and Norfolk “A” were in Inter-County Championship action playing their last group games before the knock-out rounds commence in the new year. Norfolk Premier had already clinched first place in their group after five successive wins but were keen to continue their unbeaten run away to Kent Premier. A great start saw Norfolk take maximum points in the opening session of singles & pairs and Kent found themselves unable to get back on terms as the visitors recorded an excellent 27-13 points win. Former Kent star Gary Best certainly enjoyed himself on his first return to Kent in Norfolk colours as he reeled off wins of 13-8 & 24-6 in the singles. Jack Pye made sure of maximum points in the singles for Norfolk with wins of 19-10 & 13-12. Kerry Greenacre, Debbie Sparham & Keith Cooke won both their triples games by 18-7 & 10-8 while John Jeffery, Steve Hall, John Turner & Melvin Woods won both their fours games by 17-6 & 9-3. Norfolk “A” had a big job to do in Stowmarket against Suffolk starting the day six points behind Essex “A” and just two points ahead of Cambridgeshire. Norfolk’s disappointing home and away defeats against Cambs were responsible for leaving them in this difficult situation but as they say when the going gets tough the tough get going. With a great team spirit evident Norfolk set about their task with relish and Suffolk found the pressure just too much as Norfolk “A” scored their biggest win of the campaign winning by a tremendous 29-11 to claim top spot in their group. Neil Davidson was in great form in the singles collecting wins of 14-13 & 15-7 while Selwyn Goldsmith added a 17-10 win in his second match. Norfolk triples swept all before them with Angela Bond, Lewis Cranston & Owen Cranston winning their first game 13-8 before adding an incredible 31-2 win in their second game. Donna Lamb, Ray Lamb & Steven Lamb were also in great form winning by 23-3 & 12-9. Karl & Terry Newby won both their pairs games by 13-8 & 13-10 with Ryan Fox & Mike Boswell adding a 17-8 win. Suffolk had the edge in the fours with Norfolk’s only win earned by Jenny Walker, Steve Easter, Jack Marshall & Peter Walker winning their opening game by 8-6. George Clarke’s rink looked on their way to a win in the last session leading by 15-4 with three ends to go but conceded a two and then a four followed by another five on the final end to draw 15-15 which left Suffolk claiming the bonus points in the rinks by one shot. In the line-up before the match Suffolk’s Paul Cousins was presented with a plaque to mark his third game for Suffolk’s county team.
Lewis Cranston, Angela Bond & Owen Cranston won 13-8 and 31-2.
Karl Newby, Neil Davidson & Terry Newby - a fine days work for their county
Wins of 23-3 & 12-9 for Donna, Ray & Steven Lamb
Pre-match Presentation to Suffolk's Paul Cousins