The 4 Team Challenge at Hingham proved a huge success on all levels with the event generating a £581 profit in aid of newly formed club Thetford SMBC. The day received close to a 100% turn out of Norfolk County Squad players as well as a large number of Norfolk Over 60’s bowlers and other invited guest players. These included special guest Tim Stone who famously defeated former World Champion David Gourlay in the World Championships at Potters in 2011 during a long mat career that saw him ranked number 18 in the world and play for England for three years. Tim started short mat bowls as a young lad playing for Electricity before leaving short mat to take up the long game with Acle BC. Tim’s many years away from the short mat code did not show as he impressed spectators with a superb display playing number two for former European Open champion Chris Mann with talented young Norfolk Premier star Morgan Warnes at lead. They won all their games for Jon Sparham’s Captain’s Crew team which won the competition with 38 points five points ahead of the Golden Oldies captained by Teresa Goldsmith. Brian Saunders President’s Pick finished a close third with 31 points while the Manager’s Marauders, captained by Selwyn Goldsmith, came in fourth with 18 points. The result though was not the important factor of the day with thirteen of the new Thetford bowlers attending and playing alongside Norfolk’s finest bowlers. It was heartening to see the experienced Norfolk bowlers helping them throughout the day with advice and encouragement. At one point I saw England international David Lamb take the time to walk to the delivery end to give one new bowler advice on her delivery. Certainly Tim Stone seemed to greatly enjoy his return to short mat bowls and it was obvious talking to him during the day that he is seriously considering a return to the sport. There was a great spirit evident throughout the day and one player expressed the wish that this event was played every year. President Brian Saunders spoke at the closing ceremony praising Pauline Barsby for her achievement in launching the new club at Thetford as well as thanking those involved in arranging the event. These included Wendy Tweed, Sue Newby & Bernie Pilgrim who spent the day on kitchen duties providing teas and coffees, Ray & Geraldine Potter who ran the excellent raffle, the Norfolk Over 60’s who donated all the tea & coffees etc from their stock and Teresa & Selwyn Goldsmith who planned and ran the competition as a joint County Squad/Over 60’s event. The amount raised means that Thetford SMBC are able to completely repay the £518 spent in forming the club leaving them with a surplus of £62 to pay into their account which leaves them completely debt free. If the enthusiasm shown by the new bowlers is anything to go by their club has a great future as part of the NCSMBA.
