The Potter’s Cup Weekend at Hopton-on-Sea saw Wymondham’s Debbie & Jon Sparham enjoy a fabulous double success as they won the Potter’s Cup for the second year in a row with John Jeffery before sweeping to victory in Sunday’s Potter’s Cash Pairs. But there were shock finalists in the Potter’s Cup as the Wymondham triple found themselves facing Peter Harvey, Kieran Suffolk & Jason Martin of Thetford, one of Norfolk’s newest teams. It was a great achievement for the Thetford triple to reach the final in their first appearance in the famous International Arena. The final proved to be one step too far for the inexperienced Thetford triple though as John Jefferies, Debbie Sparham & Jon Sparham dominated the game throughout with all three in fantastic form. By the third end the Wymondham triple led 6-1 as Jeffery consistently drew in some superb bowls from the lead position while Debbie Sparham hardly put a step wrong at number two. Skip Jon Sparham could not have asked for more from his triple and he was equally impressive. After five ends they led 11-1 and were probably guilty of letting their concentration slip on the next end as they dropped two shots. The final score of 15-3 was a fair reflection of their superiority but the Thetford triple, who have only been playing the sport for three years, can be delighted to have reached the final on their debut appearance and will no doubt have learned much from this match. The semi-finals saw an all Wymondham clash with Jon Sparham’s triple facing Hayley Osborne, Laura Hawksworth & Chris Mann. This game was always going to be a corker and so it proved to be. Mann’s triple drew first blood taking three shots on the opening end but the next three ends went Sparham’s way as his triple took a 4-3 lead. Back came Chris Mann’s triple with a two followed by a single to take a 6-4 lead with two ends remaining. A single to Jon Sparham on the penultimate end set up a pulsating final end where Jon Sparham’s triple earned two shots for a 7-6 victory and a place in the final. In the other semi-final were two surprise packets with Val Vardy of Norfolk Over 60’s, Margaret Rea of Cambridgeshire and Andy George of Thorpe Marriott up against the Thetford triple. Andy George’s triple scored a single on the first end but Peter Harvey, Kieran Suffolk & Jason Martin then won the next five ends to lead 11-1. Andy George’s triple scored a single on the next end before conceding leaving the final end un-played. Geoff Payne of Saxlingham Nethergate, Mike Boswell of Windows and Keith Cooke of Halvergate won the final of the Potter’s Shield as they swept to a 15-1 win against Margaret Poynter of Costessey, Tony Ealham of Essex and John Poynter of Costessey. In the semi-finals Keith Cooke’s triple beat Joan Cann, Bernie Cudden & Paul Baker of Hempnall 7-4 in a tight game. Last season’s Potter’s Shield winners Claire Cranston, Lewis Cranston & Owen Cranston were also involved in a close game but were narrowly beaten 8-6 by John Poynter’s triple in the other semi-final. On Sunday the popular Potter’s Cash Pairs took place with Wymondham’s Debbie & Jon Sparham achieving a hundred percent record finishing on maximum points with a +31 shots difference. Andy George of Thorpe Marriott and Keith Cooke of Halvergate finished in second place two points behind the winners with +22 shots. The third cash prize was earned by Anita Lambert & Margaret Roll of Suffolk’s Carlton Colville who were level on points with Cooke’s pair but with a +19 shots difference. Two other pairs were also level on points with them but just missed out due to inferior shots difference. Hayley Osborne & John Jeffery of Wymondham were on +15 shots and East Harling’s Glen Hume & George Cody were on +12 shots. Potter’s popular entertainer Mark Brewer conducted the Presentation Ceremony with the event organiser Teresa Goldsmith. The Potters Cup will celebrate its 20th Anniversary next year and will take place from Friday 25th September to Monday 28th September 2020 with the usual two or three night options available. Please contact Teresa Goldsmith on 01603-403628 for details.
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