Norfolk County Short Mat Bowls Association

Winners of group B were Woodbastwick Combined (Peter Jablonowski) who then played Bradwell Blue A (Shirley Beevor) , Woodbastwick were soon ahead, but despite a comeback by Bradwell A, Woodbastwick ran out 10-5 winners.

The final between Woodbastwick and Bradwell Blue B was played nominally over 9 ends, however, after a closely fought game on the 9th end Bradwell were holding 4 shots, Peter came in and drew shot but Mike took it out to earn a 6-6 draw, hence an extra end had to be played - Bradwell built a very strong head but Norma Jablonowski cleverly broke it and Peter followed up to hold 2 shots, Mike tried to come into the head but his wood just swung away with Woodbastwick ending worthy 8-6 winners of the Coastal Triples, without losing a game on the day.

Woodbastwick's winning triple

Runners-up from Bradwell Blue

2014 DENNIS MOORE TOURNAMENT

The Dennis Moore tournament was held at Hingham on Sunday 16^th March comprising of, 10 singles, 9 pairs, 10 triples and 8 fours. The morning session saw the singles and fours play while the afternoon session saw the triples and pairs. The singles triples and fours were over two leagues with the two winners playing in the final whilst the pairs were run over one league with the winner and runner up decided on points.

There were three on 6 points in league 1 of the singles J.Sparham (Wymondham) +45 shots , J,Hunter ( Watton) + 28 Shots and M.Tarrant ( Harling A) + 15 shots. There were 2 on 6 points in league 2 of the singles L.Fallows (Connaught A) + 7 shots and J.Winup (Connaught B) also on + 7 shots, the winner of the game between them was L Fallows  so it was he who went through to play J. Sparham in the final. Lee won the final 10-7.

In the fours league 1 There were two teams on 4 points Connaught B with +5 and Wymondham on +12, in league two of the fours there were also two teams on 4 points Watton with +6 and Harling A on + 13. Wymondham (Hayley Stratton, Mikey George, Mary Fisher and Brian Saunders) won the final beating Harling A (Mike Baker, Rita Baker, Keith Boswell and Arthur Snelling) 7-2.

In the pairs league the outright winner winning all games were the Wymondham pairing of Roger Steele and Andrew Stratton Runner up with 6 points and +16 shots were the Forncett pairing of Joan and Dennis Rumsby. Harling A were close with 6 points and +15 shots.

In the Triples league 1 there were2 teams on 6 points Wymondham with + 11 and the winner Banham with + 15. In the triples league 1 there were also 2 teams on 6 points Connaught A with +3 and Banham with +19. In the final Hingham (Keith Thomas, Cynthia Powell and Jim Roach) beat Banham( Colin Smith, Bill Francis and Eddie McAnulty)  7-4. The Dennis Moore Trophy for the club with the most over-all shots was awarded to Wymondham with 155 shots, Watton were secend with 137.

                                                                                                                                             

Horsford BC smash Windows

Horsford BC moved forty-five points clear of second placed RG Carter in the City of Norwich League after beating Anglian Windows 14-0. Carter beat second from bottom Taverham by just 6-4 but won by 11-3 at Felthorpe. Jarrolds moved into third place beating Felthorpe 14-0, Felthorpe also lost 10-4 at home to Old Bonds. With a 13-1 home win against County Council the Old Bonds team have now secured nine wins this season and are six places off the bottom. County Council also suffered a 12-2 home defeat against Horsford Heroes.

                                                                                                                                              

Bure & Tens Presentation Evening cancelled

Officials of both the Bure League & Tens Leagues have cancelled this season’s Presentation Night. Falling numbers and general disinterest in the event have led to the decision being made. At last season’s event half the trophy winners failed to attend and early indications were that several teams would not attend this year. It is disappointing that the social aspect of the sport, which once played an important part in short mat bowls, has declined alarmingly. It is expected that winning team’s trophies and cheques will either be presented at matches at the end of the season or at the Bure & Tens Annual General Meetings.

                                                                                                                                            Posted 17-3-14 

5 straight for Wymondham

Wymondham are Breckland League champions for the fifth year in a row after they hit top form against Harling “B” with a 10-0 on points, 111-28 on shots, away win. The home side are not yet on a level to deal with a Wymondham side brimming with talent and could do little to stem the onslaught. Mary Fisher, Brian Saunders & Chris Mann led 20-1 after just eight ends on their way to a 31-7 win while Pat Saunders, Roger Steele & Debbie Phillips also piled on the pressure winning 28-7. After the break Hayley Stratton, Andrew Stratton & Jon Sparham won 28-5 and Billie Barker, Melvyn Barker & Jack Barrett won 24-9. This win followed the disappointing episode of Banham conceding their match at Wymondham handing the home side ten points without a bowl being played. Other results saw Connaught “A” take a firm grip on second place beating Forncett 10-0. Sylvia Parsons’ triple won 26-11, Owen Secker won 21-7, Bill Adcock won 16-12 and Sheila Bragg won 14-12. Their closest rivals, Carleton Rode, crashed to an 8-2 defeat at Watton where John Hunter’s triple won 20-9. Watton also beat Harling “A” 9-1 with Bryan Dibble winning 22-9. Banham beat Harling “B” 10-0 with Bill Francis posting a 22-7 win.  

Harrowing times for Connaught

Defending Tens league champions Hempnall won 4-0 at home to Connaught with Charlie Archer, Richard Harrowing & Colin Stevenson beating Bill Adcock’s triple 23-10. It looks certain though that Bob Carter will finish the season as the new champions of the Tens unless they lose their final match and Hempnall post some incredible score-lines in their final fixtures. Halvergate crashed to a 4-0 home defeat against Bradwell losing three of the four games. Jean Collins, Keith Baker & Allan Collins crushed Ray Lamb’s triple 24-9 while Anne Baker & Keith Cooke beat Morgan & Simon Warnes 18-12. Jackie Fortesque’s triple added a 12-10 win against Robbie Lamb.

Halvergate heading the Bure

Halvergate look well on their way to successfully defending the Bure League title but almost slipped up at home to Horsford BC. In the first half Joyce Winder, John Bugg & David Downing beat David Lamb’s triple 19-11 while Barbara Diggle, Dot Loftus & Ray Ayers beat Simon Warnes’ triple 11-10 to give Horsford BC a 4-0 lead. Halvergate recovered after the break with a 19-6 win for Robbie Lamb’s triple and a 26-5 win for Keith Cooke’s triple earning Halvergate a 6-4 win. Second placed East Tuddenham won 6-4 at Coltishall despite winning on three mats, a 20-1 win for Coltishall’s S Bunn, Roly Sargent & Margaret Harman against Robin Amos’ triple was worth four points. East Tuddenham’s title hopes took a dive at Kirby Bedon where they were defeated 8-2. Eddie Costello, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith opened with a 13-5 win against Peter Smart’s triple while Russell Flint, Russell Harris & Chris Mann hit back with a 12-5 win for Tuddenham. After the break Jimmy Dye, Joan Costello & Gerald Chilvers put Kirby in the driving seat beating John Turner’s triple 21-8 while Joe Brown’s triple added a 10-9 win. Anglian Windows slipped to a 7-3 defeat at Thorpe Marriott where Bob MacPherson’s triple beat David Walker 16-9 and Richard Perkins’ triple beat Ken Dease 15-9. Keith Halford collected a 17-12 win for the visitors against Tony Turner while Marjorie Hall and Mike Boswell drew 10-10. Cromer won 8-2 at home to Horsford Heroes with Jane James winning 24-8, John Andreae winning 20-11 and Richard Airs winning 20-12.

Alan Landon Rest in Peace

The N.C.S.M.B.A are sad to learn of the death of former Deaf Sports captain Alan Landon who passed away on Sunday 9^th March. Alan was instrumental in bringing Deaf Sports into the City of Norwich League but has been unable to play for some years because of ill-health.

Bob Carter into Norwich Cup Final

Norwich Cup holders Bob Carter beat Thorpe Marriott in the semi-finals to earn a cup final clash against old rivals Wymondham. After taking a 10-6 lead from the first leg at Marriott the second leg at Drayton looked straight forward but Marriott had other ideas. A tremendous start saw Sheila Redwood, Ted Redwood & Tony Turner beat Malcolm Reynolds, Kim Bridge & Nigel Willard by 11-2 while John Jarvis, Trevor Pinchen & George Clarke beat John Turner’s triple 8-5 to level the tie at 10-10. Wins in both the pairs games that followed restored Carter’s four point lead and two narrow wins in the triples saw them home by 18-10 on aggregate.   

                                                                                                                                                             Posted 16-3-14 

Horsford BC 50 points clear

Horsford BC are fifty points clear of second placed RG Carter in the City of Norwich League after another win. A 10-4 away victory at Taverham made it twenty wins from twenty four games. Carter enjoyed a 14-0 home win against Old Bonds and a 9-5 away win at Costessey but slipped up losing 12-2 at Anglian Windows. Framingham Earl also found Anglian Windows too hot to handle losing 14-0 at home. First Bus had a mixed week losing 13-1 at Old Bonds but winning 12-2 at Felthorpe. Old Bonds also won 12-2 at home to Deaf Sports. British Rail won 10-4 at home to Costessey, Jarrolds won 10-4 at Sprowston SSC and Anglian Windows beat Horsford Heroes 10-4. Coastal Cup action saw second placed Bradwell Blue beat bottom of the table Hemsby 16-2. Woodbastwick Owls won 12-6 at Bradwell Red, the Reds also went down by 10-8 at Martham.

                                                                                                                                                                 Posted 12-3-14 

Maureen Dease, Ken Dease & Pam Daynes of Anglian Windows

Cheshire Premier make it a Super 8

Cheshire Premier are I.C.C champions for the eighth year running after defeating Hampshire Premier 23-17 in the final. The I.C.C “A” Team champions are Kent “A” who beat Cheshire “A” 25-15 to deny Cheshire the double. The Premier Consolation winners are Northants Premier who beat Cornwall Premier 24-16. In the “A” Team Consolation Final Hampshire “A” beat Suffolk 29-11.

                                                                                                                                                                  Posted 9-3-14 

Halvergate forced to switch venue

Halvergate are favourites to retain their Bure League title but a forced venue change from the 17^th March until May 16^th will mean that all their home games will have to be played at a different venue. Extensive building works at their Freethorpe venue are the cause of the change and are completely outside the control of the club. During this period Halvergate will use Bradwell’s venue which is situated at Mill Lane Centre, Mill Lane, Bradwell, NR31 8HS. Meanwhile second placed East Tuddenham won at home to Coltishall but will have hoped to have beaten them by more than 6-4. Albert Palgrave, Chrissie Turner & John Turner put in a vintage performance winning 21-9 against Margaret Harman’s triple and Russell Harris, Gerald Potter & Chris Mann added a 16-10 win against Les Harman. Coltishall made Tuddenham’s task of catching Halvergate harder though as Vic Woods’ triple beat Peter Smart’s triple by one shot and George Munford’s triple beat Robin Amos’ triple 13-9. Thorpe Marriott recorded an excellent 9-1 home win against Woodbastwick with Kath Frost’s triple winning 19-14, Richard Perkins’ triple winning 19-12 and Marjorie Hall’s triple winning 13-7. Bob McPherson drew 11-11 with Lianne Mills. Cromer won 6-4 at home to Hevingham with Aleck Haynes’ triple making sure of the match points with a 27-4 win. Hevingham won the return fixture beating Cromer 8-2 with Gill Bunn, John Richardson & George Clarke winning 24-6. Coastal Cup action saw leaders Woodbastwick Eagles winning 12-6 at Hemsby and by 13-5 at home to Bradwell Blue. Second placed South Walsham suffered two disappointing defeats losing 15-3 at Bradwell Red and by 10-8 at Martham. In the South Norfolk League Hempnall made it eight wins from eight games beating Horsford 10-0. Hempnall have only dropped two points so far this season collecting 78 from 80 points. Other matches saw Hingham beat Saxlingham 9-1 and Horsford win 6-4 at Saxlingham where Keith Chapman’s triple won 18-5. In the Tens League Bradwell drew 1-1 at home to Coltishall. Carol & John Aggas opened with a 14-10 win for Coltishall against Anne Baker & Keith Cooke while Bradwell’s Allan Collins’ triple won 11-9 against George Munford’s triple. After the break Mike Harvey & John Sargent of Bradwell beat Roly Sargent & Margaret Harman 13-9 but a 14-12 win for Les Harman’s Coltishall triple against Jackie Fortesque’s triple earned the away team a draw.
                                                                                                                                                                                          Posted 7-3-14 

Halvergate - change of venue due to building works

Both Cheshire teams in I.C.C Finals

Mighty Cheshire continued to steamroll their way through the Inter-County Championships as both their Premier and “A” teams reached the I.C.C Finals. Cheshire Premier, who ended Norfolk Premier’s hopes in the quarter-finals, beat seven time I.C.C champions Kent Premier 27-13 in the semi-finals. Kent’s efforts to resurrect the glory days they enjoyed under the late Ted Messer failed as the Cheshire side moved one step closer to their eighth Inter-County Championship title in a row. Cheshire will meet Hampshire Premier in the final and will start as hot favourites. Hampshire beat Oxfordshire Premier 28-12 in the semi-finals after a 27-13 win over Essex Premier in the quarter-finals. In the I.C.C “A” Team Championship final Cheshire “A” will face Kent “A”. Cheshire “A” beat Somerset “A” 28-12 in the semi-finals while Kent “A” beat Surrey “A” 30-10. In the Premier Consolation section Cornwall Premier meet Northants Premier in the final while in the “A” Team Consolation final Suffolk will play Hampshire “A”.    

Connaught “A” snatch win at Carleton Rode

In the Breckland League only two sides, Carleton Rode & Connaught “A”, still appear to have an outside chance of catching defending champions Wymondham. When they met at Carleton Rode they would both have been hoping for a big win to narrow the gap on Wymondham but a close match probably made Wymondham’s position even stronger. Carleton Rode failed to make home advantage count as Terry Newby’s triple went down 17-15 to Diana Adcock, Alison Rush & Lee Fallows but the result that cost Carleton Rode the match points was inflicted by Rita Secker, Peter King & Owen Secker who beat Keith Buck’s triple 30-9. Will Hoggan’s triple hit back for Rode beating Sylvia Parsons 17-14 and Jill Davidson, Russell Davidson & Neil Davidson pulled back still more shots beating Bill Adcock 19-6 but it was not enough to avoid a damaging 6-4 home defeat. Carleton Rode fared better at Harling “A” where they won 6-4. Neil Davidson’s triple were again in good form beating Mike Frost 30-7 while Terry Newby’s triple beat Mike Tarrant 22-16. Harling’s points were earned by John Court’s triple with a 20-16 win against Will Hoggan while Matt Cunningham’s triple beat Graham Mobbs 21-14. It was a great week for Forncett who moved up to fourth place with maximum points in both games played. They won 10-0 at Banham with Keith Humphreys, Ethel Coleman & Peter Lock beating C Smith 19-5 and also won 10-0 at home to Hingham Green with David Girling, Joan Rumsby & Dennis Rumsby beating Graham Tweed 24-6. Bottom of the table Harling “B” won 8-2 at home to Connaught “B” with the nights biggest win coming from Betty Murphy, Roger Fulcher & Terence Murphy who beat Joyce Hazell’s triple 21-14.

 

Wymondham through to Norwich Cup Final

In truth this Norwich Cup semi-final tie was as good as over when Wymondham won the last two first leg games at Kirby Bedon to take a 10-6 lead into the second leg. Any chance Kirby Bedon had rested on them making a good start to the away leg but Wymondham had other ideas as Jack Barrett’s triple won 9-2 and Debbie Phillips’ triple won 9-3, both away triples held their own on the opening ends but Wymondham finished in style. Roger Steele & Chris Mann piled on the pressure with a massive 18-2 win in the pairs but Jimmy Dye & Gerald Chilvers kept the tie alive winning the other pairs game by 12-2. The third session proved to be the last though as Debbie Phillips’ triple won 12-5 and Jack Barrett’s triple won 6-5 to earn a place in the final against either Bob Carter or Thorpe Marriott.  

 

Parsons power secures Connaught home win

Connaught won a closely fought Tens League match by 2-0 at home to Kirby Bedon when Chris Musk, Ty Musk & Sylvia Parsons gave them the edge with a 17-7 win against Phil Watson’s triple in the first half. This proved to be Connaught’s only win of the night but was enough to secure the points. In the other first half game Kirby’s Teresa & Selwyn Goldsmith beat Di & Dave Quadling 13-11. After the break Kirby’s Billie Barker, Brian Saunders & Gerald Chilvers beat Bill Adcock’s triple 13-10 leaving Connaught just five shots up but with Connaught’s Elaine & Bob Oatway drawing 10-10 against Kirby’s Shirley & Joe Brown the home side held out for a home win. Hempnall took maximum points at home beating Hevingham 4-0. Jon Sparham’s triple led the way beating Rex Cox’s triple 22-7 while Charlie Archer’s triple won 19-9 and Roger Parker & Chris Mann won 19-10 in the pairs. Pat Williamson & Maurice Kemp won 17-9 for Hevingham in the pairs but Hempnall had too many shots in the other games for this to affect them.

                                                                                                                                                                       Posted 5-3-14 

Halvergate have Bure title in their sights

Defending Bure League champions Halvergate won their top of the table clash at East Tuddenham by 7-3 and are now hot favourites to retain the title. Tuddenham needed a good result on their own mats to close the gap on Halvergate but their only win came courtesy of Gillian Amos, Madge Meachen & Robin Amos who beat David Lamb’s triple 18-8 which was sufficient to gain a share of the match points. Halvergate’s points were gained by Robbie Lamb’s triple with a 14-10 win against John Jefferies, Simon Warnes’ triple with a 13-8 win against Gerald Potter and Keith Cooke’s triple who beat John Turner 13-12. A rare defeat followed for Halvergate the following evening when they suffered a 6-4 home defeat against Coltishall. Carol Aggas, Martin Edridge & John Aggas inflicted serious damage beating the all county team triple of Kevin Watson, Ian Mills & Steven Lamb by a 22-9 margin. Margaret Harman’s triple added to Halvergate’s agony beating Keith Cooke’s triple 11-10. Kirby Bedon started well at Thorpe Marriott with Teresa Goldsmth, Jan Hewitt & Selwyn Goldsmith winning 12-10 and Wendy Tweed, Jimmy Dye & Graham Tweed winning 14-12. After the break Marriott hit back with Jenny Walker, Lesley Crowe & Kath Frost winning 15-11 and Richard Perkins, David Knights & Tony Turner winning 14-11 to snatch a 6-4 win by three shots. Despite winning on three mats East Tuddenham had to be content with a 6-4 win at Horsford BC after the home triple of Barbara Diggle, John Bugg & Ray Ayers romped to a huge 28-6 win against  John Jefferies triple to take Horsford’s shot tally to 61 against Tuddenham’s 60. For Tuddenham Chris Mann won 20-12, Peter Smart won 17-12 and John Turner won 17-9. Anglian Windows went down 8-2 at Woodbastwick with only David Walker’s triple winning against Elaine Cole. Top scorers for Woodbastwick were Damian Lamb, Derek Sheldrake & Tony Wright who beat Russell Daynes’ triple by 25-7. Defending Tens League champions Hempnall were beaten 3-0 at top of the table Bob Carter and this probably finishes any realistic chance they had of retaining the title. Roger Parker & Neil Davidson were the only winning combination for Hempnall as they beat Jason & Melvin Woods 18-6 but apart from that it was all Carter. Kim Bridge’s triple won 18-10, Nigel Willard’s triple won 20-5 and Jean Woods & Trevor Brown won 15-8. A close match at Hevingham saw visitors Connaught snatch a two shot win for two league points. Dianne & Dave Quadling’s 16-7 win made the difference. Bradwell won 3-0 at Hevingham with Ann Baker & Keith Cooke’s 21-9 win the biggest of the night. Kirby Bedon won 4-0 at home to Hevingham with Carol Johnson, Brian Saunders & Jimmy Dye racking up a 32-3 win.

 

Over 60s first Squad Day at Hingham

Thursday began a new era for the Norfok Over 60s as they held their first fortnightly squad day at Hingham Sports & Social Club, the new Norfolk venue. The Hingham Sports Hall takes ten mats comfortably, and with use of the kitchen included in the hire fee, Over 60’s members found the cost of enjoying their teas and coffees much less expensive than at their previous venue. Norfolk Over 60’s Organiser Teresa Goldsmith explained the details of the changes to members at the start of the day. With the playing fee staying the same, but now including their teas and coffees for the day, the actual cost of the day for bowlers will effectively come down. Bowlers then got to grips with the faster surface now that the counties Verde mats are laid down on a hard floor.

                                                                                                                                                         Posted 1-3-14 

Cheshire juggernaut rolls on

Norfolk Premier’s trip to Northants to play champions Cheshire in the I.C.C quarter-finals finished in a heavy defeat. The first session saw Wymondham’s Chris Mann in super form beating Steve Proctor 18-8 after moving 7-0 up after three ends. Carter’s Trevor Brown faced Gareth Stanway in the other singles game and suffered a 16-5 defeat. In the pairs Simon Warnes made his debut for the Premier side with daughter Morgan Warnes at lead and were just two shots down after eleven ends but slipped to a 15-11 defeat. Neil Davidson & David Lamb also played well in the other pairs game but went down by just one shot after Lamb’s last bowl missed the jack by a fraction, if he had picked up the jack he would have scored three and won the game. It was important for Norfolk to pull back in the second session and things started well as Robbie Lamb, Andrew Stratton, Phil Watson & Selwyn Goldsmith scored a six on the first end as the skip took Cheshire’s second wood out clean with his last bowl. They remained in control finally winning by 15-5. Brian Saunders, Bob Oatway, Jack Barrett & Jon Sparham had a poor start trailing 8-0 after six ends eventually losing 8-3. Both triples went down by just two shots as George Clarke, John Turner & Melvin Woods lost 9-7 and Kim Bridge, Debbie Phillips & Keith Cooke lost by 11-9. This left Norfolk trailing 12-4 at the halfway stage with a mountain to climb. The Norfolk manager was intending to bring in both substitutes in the second half but after they both declined to play he had to leave the team unchanged. This seemed to have a detrimental effect on the team who struggled to recapture the energy and verve on display earlier. Bob Carter’s Trevor Brown went down to a second defeat by 19-12 against Steve Proctor. Chris Mann started well against the brilliant Gareth Stanway and led 10-5 after eight ends. Stanway though showed his class as he clawed his way back winning six of the last seven ends to win 13-11. Never-the-less Mann can be pleased with himself although he will be disappointed to lose his second game. The Warnes pairing found themselves struggling in their second game as they slipped to a 21-8 loss. Neil Davidson & David Lamb also went down losing 17-13. The game was now up for Norfolk but in the final session Selwyn Goldsmith’s rink remained unbeaten after fighting their way back to draw 13-13 with Darren Beardmore’s rink and gain the rinks bonus points as well. Jon Sparham’s rink suffered their second defeat but kept things tight losing by just 7-5. George Clarke, John Turner & Melvin Woods played well against Martin Walker’s triple and led 10-8 with an end to go but conceded three shots to lose 11-10. Kim Bridge, Debbie Phillips & Keith Cooke have been a success story this year for Norfolk but ended with a 24-1 defeat against Dennis Leather’s triple. All in all it was the result that the short mat bowls world will have expected as the Cheshire juggernaut continues to roll on. For Norfolk though it was a painful defeat after a season that promised so much.

 

Wymondham take giant step towards Norwich Cup Final

Mikey George & Chris Mann of Wymondham put on a first class display of short mat bowls as they made all the difference in the Norwich Cup semi-final first leg clash at Kirby Bedon. The home side knew they had to make home advantage count but found the visitors in tenacious mood in a hard fought first session. Jan Hewitt, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith benefited by a rare misjudgement by young county star Jack Barrett as they snatched a 7-6 win. On the other mat Wymondham’s Pat Saunders, Andrew Jackson & Debbie Phillips kept the sides equal as they beat Phil Watson’s triple 8-5 after building up a 5-1 lead after three ends with Pat Saunders in tremendous form at lead. The second session was also drawn but the young pairing of Mikey George & Chris Mann were in great form beating Shirley & Joe Brown 10-1 to give the visitors shot advantage. Jimmy Dye & Gerald Chilvers won the other pairs game for Kirby Bedon beating Roger Steele & Andrew Stratton 6-5 when Stratton accidentely pushed a Kirby bowl in on the last end. Back out came the triples and this time Jan Hewitt, Teresa Goldsmith & Selwyn Goldsmith pulled serious shots back for Kirby Bedon beating Debbie Phillips’ triple 14-3. Phil Watson’s triple badly needed to win the other triples game to open up a lead and looked likely to do so holding five shots on the penultimate end. Jack Barrett was forced into an attacking shot and hoping something would go his way and that’s exactly what happened as he conceded just one shot. Barrett took the jack through to take two shots on the last end and won 6-4. With just the last pairs games left to play the score was level at 6-6 on points and it was Wymondham who made the breakthrough. Mikey George & Chris Mann carried on from where they left off in their last match scoring a full house of six on the opening end against a shell-shocked Jimmy Dye & Gerald Chilvers and added three more on end two. The match was tight after that but the damage was done as the visiting pair completed a 12-3 win. Roger Steele & Andrew Stratton produced a count of five shots on the fourth end against Shirley & Joe Brown and that contributed greatly to a 10-7 win that gave Wymondham a 10-6 points victory and makes them hot favourites to reach the final. The second leg is scheduled to take place at Wymondham on Monday 3^rd March at 7pm.

                                                                  

Mary Platten Rest in Peace

The NCSMBA wish to express their sadness at the news that Mary Platten of First Bus has passed away. Mary was a lovely, gentle lady and we trust that Mary is now re-united with Ben who passed away a few years ago.

                                                                                                                                      Posted 23-2-14 

Big win for Norfolk Over 60s at new county venue

The first match played at Hingham since the decision was made to change the county venue saw Norfolk Over 60s achieve their best result against Cambs Over 60s in years. Obviously playing on fast Verde mats on a hard floor suited Norfolk as they won the Eastern England Over 60s League match convincingly. The first session was drawn 4-4 with Norfolk’s only win coming from East Tuddenham’s Geraldine Potter, Kirby Bedon’s Joan Costello & Colin Coman of First Bus who edged a close game by 13-12. Two games were drawn as Hingham’s Wendy Tweed, Felthorpe’s Marjorie Hall & Connaught’s Sheila Bragg finished 14-14 against a triple skipped by Cambs former England bowler Joe Peters. Margaret Reynolds of RG Carter, Keith Thomas of Hingham & Gerald Chilvers of Kirby Bedon earned a point in a 10-10 draw against Cambs’ Suzanne Beeken, Sheila Ward & Geoff Ward. Gwen Siggee’s triple scored the visitors win beating Saxlingham’s Alice Payne, Old Bonds’ Doreen Stearman & Hingham’s Graham Tweed 15-10. This was the best it would get for the visitors as Norfolk won all four second session pairs games to move 12-4 up. Haddiscoe’s Kerry Greenacre & Mike Boswell of Anglian Windows helped the shot difference in a 22-10 win while Wayland’s Pauline Wilson & Yaxham’s Jock Pollock won by 17-11. Cambs pair Gill & Tony Kent put a good fight before losing by just two shots against Betty Cox of First Bus & Saxlingham’s Geoff Payne. Another good Norfolk pairs win came from Thorpe Marriott’s Sheila Redwood & Rex Cox of First Bus who beat Lonnie & Maureen Fyson by 17-10. Back on came the triples and this time Norfolk won three out of the four games to increase Norfolk’s points lead to 18-6. Colin Coman’s triple got their second win of the day beating Joe Peters’ triple 13-10 while Sheila Bragg’s triple won 19-16. Graham Tweed’s triple recorded Norfolk’s third win of the session beating Geoff Ward’s triple 15-11. Cambs only success was a 13-11 win for Gwen Siggee’s triple against Gerald Chilvers’ triple. The final session of pairs saw Norfolk continue to pressure the visitors. Greenacre & Boswell won 13-9, Wilson & Pollock won 15-12 and Betty Cox & Geoff Payne won by 13-7. The Cambs’ pair of Maureen Bell & Barnie Newton did pull off the day’s biggest win though beating Sheila Redwood & Rex Cox by 24-6 but Norfolk Over 60s had increased their points lead to 24-8. With the bonus points clinched as well the final score was 26-8 to Norfolk Over 60s justifying Teresa Goldsmith’s decision as Norfolk Over 60s Organiser to hold a full scale practice session for the team two days earlier.   

                                                                                                                 

                                                                            Thumbs up from ex England bowler Joe Peters

                                         Action from the Eastern England Over 60s match between Norfolk & Cambs at Hingham Sports & Social Club

Carter win Tens crunch match

Despite a superb 18-6 win for Hempnall’s Roger Parker & Neil Davidson against reigning Norfolk Pairs Champions Jason & Melvin Woods on Carter’s own mats their team slipped to a disappointing 3-0 defeat. Glynis Willard, Malcolm Reynolds & Nigel Willard’s 20-5 win against Charlie Archer’s triple put the home side in front before second half wins for Kim Bridge’s triple and Jean Woods & Trevor Brown in the pairs left Hempnall eighteen shots behind. This was a match Hempnall badly needed to win to give themselves a realistic chance of catching leaders Bob Carter and defeat leaves them with a mountain to climb.

                                                                               Posted 21-2-14 

County venue moved to Hingham

The N.C.S.M.B.A Management Committee, on Tuesday evening, signalled the end of an era by voting to move the county venue from Lakeside Country Club in Lyng to Hingham Sports & Social Club with immediate effect. Norfolk were one of the first counties to pioneer mat on mat bowling when they switched their venue to Roundwood I.B.C many years ago and continued in the same vein by then moving to the home of Lakeside I.B.C. The move to Hingham will see the Norfolk County teams playing their home games on Verde mats on a hard floor for the first time. All the Norfolk Championships in 2014/15 will also be played at Hingham. Norfolk Over 60s had already made a decision to use the Hingham venue for their Eastern England Over 60s League matches and this Thursday entertain Cambridgeshire Over 60s. From next Thursday 27^th Feb all fortnightly Norfolk Over 60s days will take place at Hingham. Today all NCSMBA equipment was relocated to Hingham thanks to the great efforts of Melvyn & Billie Barker, Brian & Pat Saunders, Chris Mann, Graham Tweed, Malcolm Southgate, Teresa & Selwyn Goldsmith and Nigel & Tom of Hingham Sports & Social Club.  

Proposal to end County Cup

The issue over the lack of popularity of the Norfolk County Cup was discussed by the NCSMBA Management Committee and the decision was made to put a proposal forward to the next Norfolk AGM to end the event. The entry numbers for the County Cup, which has consistently failed to attract more than a quarter of registered clubs, has continued to fall and the event now runs at a loss due to the cost of trophies and venue hire for the final.     

 

County Team Manager re-appointed

The N.C.S.M.B.A Management Committee has re-appointed Selwyn Goldsmith of Kirby Bedon SMBC as Norfolk County Team Manager for the next two years. In his County Manager’s Report to the Committee he reviewed the season so far and the difficulties he had encountered regarding food arrangements for visiting teams at Lakeside Country Club.

                                                                                                                                    Posted 19-2-14 

Hempnall’s title hopes take a knock

Hempnall’s Tens League title hopes took a knock in a surprise 2-0 defeat at Bradwell. Anne Baker & Keith Cooke gave Bradwell a great start beating Jack Barrett & Chris Mann by 14-8 in the pairs while Roger Parker’s triple pulled one shot back beating Allan Collins’ triple 15-14. After the break the pairs saw Bradwell over the finishing line as Mike Harvey & John Sargent beat Colin Stevenson & Paul Baker 15-11 despite Hempnall’s M Pearce winning the other triples game 13-10.

Perkins power sinks Hevingham

Perkins power sunk Hevingham after Thorpe Marriott edged a tight Bure League match by 6-4 after a 17-9 win for Sheila Redwood, John Jarvis & Richard Perkins against Rex Cox proved vital in securing the match points. Marriott’s other win was a 15-9 victory for Sylvia Turner against George Clarke while Hevingham’s points were gained by Maurice Kemp’s triple and David Sharpe’s triple. Kirby Bedon’s Kerry Greenacre, Jimmy Dye & Gerald Chilvers beat Horsford BC’s Piero Cognetti triple by 22-6 in their team’s 8-2 home win. Teresa Goldsmith, Shirley George & Graham Tweed won 16-7 and Jill Watson, Jan Hewitt & Phil Watson won 14-9 with Peter Warnes’ triple replying with a 12-11 win over Joe Brown. Horsford Heroes won 6-4 at home to Cromer with Mick Dale, Russell Hubbard & Roger Frank leading the way with a stunning 25-5 win against former Coltishall bowler Jane James. Vic Webster’s triple added a 18-8 win while John Andreae & Richard Airs won for Cromer. Coltishall beat Woodbastwick 6-4 with Margaret Harman & John Aggas wining for Coltishall while away skips Lianne Mills & Peter Jablonowski both won. Title chasing Halvergate beat Thorpe Marriott 9-1 with Ray Lamb, Michael Savage & Robbie Lamb boosting their shot difference figures with a 20-2 win against Sylvia Turner’s triple while David Lamb won 15-7 and Keith Cooke won 16-10. David Knights, Ted Redwood & Tony Turner of Thorpe Marriott held Simon Warnes’ triple to an 11-11 draw.

                                                                                    

Ron Maddern Rest in Peace

The NCSMBA wish to express their sadness at the news thatRon Maddern of Connaught passed away in hospital on the 10th February 2014 after a short illness.The funeral will take place on 27th February 2014 at 12.45 pm at Earlham Crematorium. No flowers please but donations can be made for the Royal Navy Benevolent Society.

                                                                                                                                      Posted 18-2-14 

No Norfolk players in England’s World Championship team

England has announced their team to compete in the World Championships in Cardiff on the last weekend in March. There is disappointment yet again for Norfolk’s David Lamb of Halvergate and Bob Carter’s Melvin Woods who have missed out on selection. Four players from both Essex & Oxfordshire make the trip, three each from North Yorkshire & Cheshire and two from Hampshire. Cornwall, Somerset, West Mids & Gloucestershire have one player each selected.

The full line-up is as follows;

Singles 1 Adam Sultana (Essex)

Singles 2 Stephen Proctor (Cheshire)

Pair 1  David Newsome & Ben Render (North Yorkshire)

Pair 2 Jack Shephard (Essex) & Gareth Stanway (Cheshire)

Triple 1 Jason McLean (Hampshire), James Neal (Cheshire) & Ben Pay (Hampshire)

Triple 2  Elise Daniel (Cornwall), Gareth Davies (Oxfordshire) & Keith Hawkins (Somerset)

Four 1 Jacinta Townend (North Yorkshire), Jon Pitcher (West Mids), Dave Wiggins & Roger Wiggins (Oxfordshire)

Four 2  AJ Brown (Oxfordshire), Dom Reed (Essex), Mitchell Young (Essex) & Ryan Knight (Gloucestershire)

                                                                                                                             Posted 16-2-14

Home sweet home

Home advantage paid dividends in the Tens League this week. Kirby Bedon enjoyed the best of the first half at Coltishall as Teresa Goldsmith & Phil Watson beat home pair Carol & John Aggas by 14-6 while Graham Tweed’s triple beat George Munford’s triple 13-12. The nine shot lead evaporated after the break though as Roly Sargent & Margaret Harman blew Jan Hewitt & Gerald Chilvers out of the water by 27-7 while Vic Woods’ triple beat Melvyn Barker’s triple 14-8 to earn a 3-0 home win for Coltishall. Halvergate achieved the same scoreline at home to Connaught also coming from behind after the break. Connaught’s Di & Dave Quadling won the opening pairs game beating Ian Mills & Ray Lamb 15-9 but Robbie Lamb’s Halvergate triple beat Sylvia Parsons 12-7 to cut the deficit to just one shot. In the second half an entertaining pairs game saw Michael Tate & David Lamb held to a 10-10 draw by Connaught’s Elaine & Bob Oatway but the match was decided in the last triples game as Steven Lamb’s Halvergate trio beat Connaught’s Adcock-Adcock-Wilcox triple 18-7.

                                                                                                                                       Posted 15-2-14

Shock results in City League as Carter lose twice

Defending City League champions RG Carter crashed to defeats at home to Thorpe Marriott and away to bottom of the table Old Bonds to leave the race for the title wide open. With games in hand over the leading two teams Thorpe Marriott improved their title chances with an 11-3 win at Carter but will be disappointed to have lost 10-4 at mid-table Horsford Heroes. RG Carter suffered the shock result of the season going down 11-3 at Old Bonds, this was only the third win of the season for the home side. Top of the table Horsford BC stormed to a 14-0 home win against Framingham Earl but also lost 10-4 at Costessey. Other results included Deaf Sports 10-4 win at Taverham, Jarrolds 12-2 home win against First Bus and Felthorpe’s 12-2 home win against County Council. A mid-table clash saw Sprowston beat First Bus 10-4.

                                                                                                                                         Posted 14-2-14

England Under 21 Manager announces Trials Day

Brian Claessen, England Under 21 Team Manager, has announced that the 2014 Trials Day will be held at Northampton Indoor Bowling Club on Saturday 10^th May. He has asked that short mat bowls clubs make any young players in their teams aware of the Trials. The trials will commence at 10am. He has asked for Mums, Dads & Grandparents to bring their young bowlers to the venue. Brian has stressed that he is quite prepared to talk or exchange e-mails with a juvenile’s guardian if they have any questions. When he took over as Manager there were only six or seven players in the squad but the number has risen since his appointment. England Under 21 is due to play Wales Under 21s on April 26^th. Brian Claessen can be contacted on 01452-840481. The full address of the Trials Day venue is Northampton Indoor Bowls Club, Harborough Road, Recreation Ground, Northampton, NN2 8DH.

 

Halvergate on a roll in Bure League

Eighteen out of twenty points over two nights propelled Halvergate to the top of the Bure League and all sensible money must now be on them to retain the title. Halvergate’s trip to Coltishall earned them a maximum 10-0 win as the home side found themselves outgunned scoring 37 shots against the visitor’s total of 72. In the first half Keith Cooke’s triple beat Margaret Harman 17-7 while Robbie Lamb’s triple beat John Aggas 18-12. After the break Steven Lamb’s triple beat Les Harman by one shot while Mike Harvey, Jackie Fortescue and David Lamb scored the night’s biggest win beating Maureen Munford, Peter Barnett & George Munford 23-5. The following night Halvergate won 8-2 at Horsford BC with Keith Cooke winning 18-9, Simon Warnes winning 17-9 and David Lamb winning 19-11. D Downing collected the home side’s only points beating Robbie Lamb’s triple 16-8. Second placed East Tuddenham continue to chase the defending champions, they won 8-2 at home to Hevingham. John Jefferies had the biggest win beating David Sharpe 20-5. Peter Smart’s triple weighed in by beating George Clarke 13-9 and Chris Mann beat Maurice Kemp 15-10. Rex Cox won Hevingham’s only game beating John Turner’s triple 21-13 to deny the home side maximum points. The previous night Hevingham had suffered a damaging 10-0 defeat at Horsford Heroes where Lyn Frank, R Dix & Andy Drummie had beaten John Richardson’s triple 27-8 and Vic Webster, Chris Woodhouse & Roger Frank had all won as well. A close match at Kirby Bedon saw the home side beat Coltishall 6-4. In the first half Teresa Goldsmith, Graham Tweed & Selwyn Goldsmith had given Kirby Bedon a great start beating Maureen Munford, Les Harman & George Munford 25-3 but Coltishall’s Carol Aggas, Jean Barnett & John Aggas replied with a 17-6 win against Jill Watson, Jan Hewitt & Phil Watson. Joe Brown’s Kirby triple beat Margaret Harman 17-11 after the break while Coltishall’s Vernon Bunn, Peter Barnett & Vic “Quiet Man” Woods won 16-6 against Gerald Chilvers as the Kirby captain failed to impose himself on the game. Bottom club Anglian Windows suffered an 8-2 home defeat against mid-table Woodbastwick and have now only won two out of fourteen games. A big 22-4 win for Peter Johnson, Norma Jablonowski & Willie Jefferies against Alan Williamson’s triple gave the visitors an early boost while Damian Lamb’s triple added a 17-11 win. Tony Wright’s Woodbastwick triple edged a 17-16 win against Keith Halford while Window’s captain Mike Boswell collected the home side’s only points beating Lianne Mills 20-9.

Hempnall march on

South Norfolk League giants Hempnall continue their march towards yet another title as they won 10-0 at Saxlingham in their local derby. After winning just one match from their first six games Wreningham had a great week securing successive home wins against second placed Connaught and Hingham. Connaught’s Mike Parsons, Ty Musk & Sylvia Parsons secured their team’s only win at Wreningham as they beat Debbie Bunn’s triple 21-7. This proved enough to gain the match points limiting Wreningham’s win to 6-4. On the other mats Wreningham won all three games with Karl Bunn beating Alan Marshall 15-11, Glenda Adcock winning 13-12 against county star Sheila Bragg and Mike Smail beating Joe Li-Rocchi 16-8. Wreningham beat Hingham 8-2 with Graham Tweed the only visiting skip to taste success.

                                                                                                                  Posted 12-2-14

Wymondham defeat rivals Connaught in Norwich Cup

A fabulous first half for Wymondham against old rivals Connaught set them on their way to a Norwich Cup semi-final place. Roger Steele, Melvyn Barker & Jack Barrett opened with a remarkable 21-0 win over eight ends against Di Quadling’s triple while Deb Phillips' triple edged a 7-6 win against Sylvia Parsons’ triple. Wymondham then took maximum points from the pairs session as Mikey George & Chris Mann survived a fight-back by Peter King & Owen Secker to win 9-8 while Andrew Jackson & Andrew Stratton beat Ty Musk & Sheila Bragg 9-5. Connaught won the two triples games after the break but wins for both Wymondham pairs completed a 12-4 points victory and took them into the semi-finals with Bob Carter, Thorpe Marriott & Kirby Bedon. The semi-final draw has paired Wymondham with Kirby Bedon while Bob Carter will play Thorpe Marriott.

                                                                                                                               Posted 8-2-14

Roger Steele - a key element in Wymondham's winning team

Oxfordshire Premier added to Norfolk’s group for I.C.C

Following the withdrawal of London County from the Premier section of the Inter-County Championships the ESMBA have been forced to revamp the groups for the 2014/15 season. The strong Oxfordshire Premier team has now been added to Norfolk’s group that also includes Essex Premier and Northants Premier. Norfolk County Team Captain Trevor Brown will be well aware of the talent in the Oxfordshire team having previously played for them before moving to Norfolk. Trevor Brown represented Oxfordshire when he won the England Singles Championship title in 2003 & 2009. Their team includes Wootton stars Roger Wiggins, Geoff Cross, Tim Cross, Gareth Davies & AJ Brown, David Wiggins of Warborough, Martin Davies of Didcot & Michael Keevil of Wallingford. The inclusion of Oxfordshire into the group will mean four good teams, judging by this season’s results, fighting for two qualifying places in the main knockout section. Oxfordshire won seven out of eight games in the group stages this season and are sure to pose a major threat to the other teams in the group. In the up-coming I.C.C Quarter-Finals Oxfordshire will play West Mids, Essex face Hampshire, Kent play Dorset while Norfolk Premier play defending champions Cheshire Premier. London County will now compete in the “A” section of the I.C.C in the 2014/15 season.

East Tuddenham through to Bure Cup Final

East Tuddenham took a 16-8 lead into their Bure Cup Semi-Final second leg match at Thorpe Marriott and it proved enough to see them safely through as Marriott conceded with two sessions remaining. The home side started well as Sheila Redwood, Kath Frost & Tony Turner beat Chris Mann’s triple 9-6 while Bob McPherson’s triple drew 3-3 with Peter Smart to cut the overall deficit to 17-11. The visitors hit back though in the second session as John Turner’s triple beat Richard Perkins and John Jefferies’ triple beat Marjorie Hall. A drawn third session left East Tuddenham 23-13 up on points and after a fourth session that saw Tuddenham take three out of the four points Thorpe Marriott conceded. East Tuddenham now meet Halvergate in the final with both teams in contention for a league & cup double.

Coltishall leapfrog Connaught

A solid 3-0 away win for Coltishall at Connaught enabled them to leapfrog them in the Tens League table. Roly Sargent & Margaret Harman provided the perfect start for Coltishall as they set about giving their team a good lead by beating Di & Dave Quadling 26-8. In the opening triples game Chris Musk, Ty Musk & Sylvia Parsons beat Vic Woods’ triple 13-12 but the Coltishall triple won the last three ends to lessen the damage. Carol & John Aggas beat Elaine & Bob Oatway 17-7 after the break but Diana Adcock, Mike Parsons & Bill Adcock stopped Coltishall recording a maximum points win by beating George Munford’s triple 25-12.

                                                                                                                                         Posted 7-2-14

Hevingham move into top gear

Hevingham’s crushing 10-0 home win over Woodbastwick took them to the top of the Bure League and left their opponents languishing in mid table. The biggest win of the match was by Gill Bunn, John Richardson & George Clarke who beat Willie Jefferies’ triple by 19-8. Former Coltishall captain Jefferies seems to be struggling to recreate the sparkling form he often displayed when leading his former club into battle but sometimes it just takes a little time to settle in with a new team. Kirby Bedon won 6-4 at Anglian Windows after Peter Johnson, Jimmy Dye & Gerald Chilvers started well for the visitors beating Keith Halford’s triple 23-11 and Jill Watson, Pat Saunders & Phil Watson added a 16-8 win. Horsford BC entertained Horsford Heroes in a local derby although that term sounds a bit strange now that the Heroes play at St Faiths despite retaining their old name. Sixty ends of bowls failed to separate them as the match finished at 5-5 on points and 59-59 on shots. Christine Warnes, Dot Loftus & Peter Warnes gave the home side a fantastic start beating Peter Fox’s triple 29-5 and although Chris Woodhouse’s triple replied with a 19-8 win against David Downing the home side’s lead of thirteen shots at the interval looked likely to be enough to earn the bonus points. Ray Ayers win of 14-9 against Mark Tuttle should have sealed the win for Horsford BC but Vic Webster’s Horsford Heroes triple, with D Fox at lead and Carol Kemp at number two, had other ideas as they stormed to a 26-8 win against Pauline Strivens’ triple to draw the match. Thorpe Marriott won 7-3 at home to Cromer after just doing enough in the second half after a tight first half. Dorothy Muttitt, John Jarvis & Richard Perkins gave Marriott a shots advantage at the interval by beating Terry Phillips’ triple 17-9 while Tom Doyle, Ros Andreae & Jane James hit back beating Bob McPherson’s triple 13-9. Cromer’s hopes of an away win disappeared in the second half as Sylvia Turner’s triple beat A Haynes 14-8 while Tony Turner & Richard Airs drew 11-11.

                                                                                                                                            Posted 5-2-14

                                                                             26-8 win for Carol Kemp of Horsford Heroes

Bure League Finals dates announced

The Bure League has announced the venues and dates of the Bure League Triples, Pairs & Singles Finals Nights. The Bure League Triples will take place at Anglian Windows on Tuesday 18-3-14, the Bure League Pairs will be played at Coltishall on 19-3-14 and Horsford BC will host the Bure League Singles on 20-3-14.  

                                                                                                                             Posted 3-2-14

Norfolk stars give good account of themselves in English Masters

Four of Norfolk’s six entries made it through the group stage of the English Masters and into the Main Competition Knockouts at Bromsgrove IBC but Devon’s Bronagh Malone proved to be a thorn in their side knocking out two Wymondham stars in the knockouts. SMPT World Number 5 Chris Mann of Wymondham went into the event as the top English bowler in the rankings and qualified for the main competition knockout stage after finishing top of his group with four wins and a draw. His results included a 9-8 win against highly rated John Manley who finished surprisingly way down at fifth in the group. Chris Mann’s English Masters hopes then came to an abrupt end losing 11-4 to Devon ace Bronagh Malone. Another Wymondham star Jack Barrett also qualified in his group finishing second with his only defeat coming against SMPT World Number 4 Mark Beattie of Ireland and that by a narrow 9-7 margin. Jack’s wins included an excellent 11-8 win against England’s Mitchell Young. Unfortunately it was Bronagh Malone who again proved to be a thorn in the side of Wymondham as she raced to a 12-3 win against Jack. Halvergate & England international David Lamb won four out of five games to finish second in his group. Lamb’s wins included a 14-5 result against the highly rated Jody Bright. The draw then brought Lamb up against SMPT World Number 1 Cecil Dillon of Ireland who ended David Lamb’s hopes by beating him 12-7. Hempnall & Norfolk player Neil Davidson was runner-up to Chris Page in his group where former World Champion Stephen Williams of Wales finished last in sixth place with just one win from five games. That win was against Davidson and cost the Hempnall player first place in the group. Never-the-less the man they call “Sheep” was delighted to qualify from a strong group and his results included a 16-11 win against Bomber Lancaster of West Sussex. Davidson then found himself facing Mark Beattie in his first knockout game and produced a remarkable performance beating Beattie by 14-5. Davidson’s next game was against Hampshire’s Steve Puttock, a singles specialist who won the Portsmouth & District Singles title four years in a row. After a great match Puttock emerged with a 12-9 victory to end Davidson’s interest in the English Masters. Andrew Stratton of Wymondham finished in third place in a group won by Devon’s Lee Toleman so qualified for the Plate Knockout Section. Stratton then lost 8-7 to Irishman Paul Noble after a measure on the last end went against him. Halvergate’s Keith Cooke also qualified for the Plate Knockouts after finishing third in a group won by Essex bowler Anthony Faultley. Cooke then met Ken Sleat and recorded a superb 13-4 win. Even better was to come though as then met Ireland’s Joseph Beattie, the SMPT World Number 2, who had surprisingly failed to finish in the top two of his group. Beattie was now looked upon as favourite for the Plate but Cooke had other ideas as he inflicted a 10-9 defeat on the Irish ace who had recently won the Swedish Masters. That proved to be Cookie’s last win on a great day for the Norfolk & Halvergate star as he went down to Hampshire’s Jody Bright by 13-7 in the next game.  SMPT World Number 1 Cecil Dillon of Ireland confirmed his position as he won the English Masters title by 9-8 against Dimitri Payne of Belgium after ditching the jack on the final end. William Morrison of Ireland won the Plate Final beating Marc "Bomber" Lancaster of West Sussex, also by 9-8. 

                                                                                                                                                   Posted 2-2-14
                      

Norfolk stars head to Bromsgrove for English Masters

This weekend sees another of the popular SMPT events taking place that continue to attract a mix of entrants from across the short mat bowls world. Bromsgrove Indoor Bowling Club hosts the English Masters with Wymondham stars Chris Mann, Jack Barrett & Andrew Stratton, Halvergate bowlers Keith Cooke & David Lamb, and Hempnall’s Neil Davidson making the trip to the Midlands. Chris “Blazerman” Mann, top placed English player at number five in the SMPT rankings, has been drawn in Group “B” which also includes the vastly experienced and very talented John Manley. Chris starts off with an opening game against Ireland’s Seamus McGillion before facing Manley in his second game. Jack Barrett is drawn in Group “F” along with Ireland’s Mark Beattie, number four in the SMPT rankings, as well as England & Essex player Mitchell Young. With Ireland’s William Morrison & Kevin McAloon also in the group Jack will have a fight on his hands to finish in the top two places. England international David Lamb begins with a game against Malcolm Saunders, one of four other Englishman in Group “G”.  Jody Bright of Hampshire should prove to be Lamb’s biggest rival in this group. Twice Norfolk Singles Champion Neil Davidson has not had much luck in the draw coming out of the hat in Group “I”. The group includes the brilliant Welshman Stephen Williams, top England players Marc “Bomber” Lancaster of West Sussex & Chris Page of Infinity SMBC. Belgium’s Jonathan Payne & Ireland’s Michael McGrade make up a group that will be hard to call. This will be a great opportunity for the man they call “Sheep” to pit his wits against the very best after a season that has seen him perform heroically for Norfolk “A” as their number one singles player. In Group “L” another former Norfolk Singles champion Andrew Stratton kicks off with a game against Tony Ward of Ireland but Devon’s Lee Toleman, England Singles Champion in 2010, looks to be Andrew’s biggest threat. Keith Cooke, placed number ten in the Norfolk Rankings, finds himself in Group “O” with Anthony Fautley of Essex but the draw has been generally kind to Cooke and he has every chance of coming first or second in his group. As for the rest of the groups Joseph Beattie of Ireland, number two in the SMPT rankings, is in Group “A” with talented Devon and former North Yorks county bowler Bronagh Malone also featuring. Ireland’s Cecil Dillon, ranked number one in the SMPT rankings, starts off Group “C” with a match against Sweden’s Annelie Wikstrom and also has Belgium’s Dimitri Payne to contend with. Group “D” includes Jack Shephard of Essex, David Glennerster of Dorset and Devon’s Michael Ivings. James Trott of Devon will be expected to progress from Group “E”. Dom Reed is the big name in Group “H” which also includes Devon’s James Smith. Reed opens with a game against Roger Hammond representing France. Group “J” includes Ireland’s Gary Burke and Italy’s Antonio Rinaldi as well as four English players including Sadie Young. In Group “K” Steve Puttock is one of four English players with Philip Ladd of Wales & Lisa Douglas of Ireland. Essex player Nigel Reed will hope to qualify from Group “M” but his opener against Ireland’s Pauline Beattie should be an interesting encounter. Cheshire’s Gareth Stanway meets Ireland’s Jal Richardson of Portadown at 1.10pm on the Saturday and that will be a game to watch between two of the best short mat singles specialists in the game today. Group “P” pits three Irish players against three English players including Andy Thompson of Sidford SMBC & James Corns of Staplegrove SMBC. Group “Q” has an interesting look about it with Worcestershire’s Richard Payne, always a tenacious opponent, Hampshire’s Ben Pay & Jason McLean and Infinity SMBC player Charlotte Rollings all involved. Stephen Gale of the Isle Of Man and Ireland’s Ivor Armstrong make up the group. English entries Martin Simcock, Craig Strong, Ken Sleat & Richard Rose compete in Group “R” with Sweden’s Christer Nordin and Paul Edwards of Wales. Cheshire’s Simcock and Strong of the West Mids meet in both players second game on Saturday and its possible that this could decide who wins this group.

                                                                                                                               Posted 30-1-14

                                                                                    Chris Mann of Wymondham

Halvergate chasing Bure double

Halvergate are through to their first ever Bure Cup final after racing into a 27-11 aggregate lead before Cromer conceded. Cromer brought a narrow 13-11 lead into the second leg at Halvergate but found Halvergate in super form. The first session saw Halvergate win on both mats to take the lead with David Lamb’s triple winning 8-4 and Robbie Lamb’s triple winning 11-6. Steven Lamb’s triple added a 9-1 second session win with Keith Cooke’s triple also winning by 5-4. When David Lamb’s triple scored an 11-0 win, and Robbie Lamb also winning again, the match was turning into a rout. After Keith Cooke & Steven Lamb both won in the fourth session Cromer decided to concede. Halvergate will meet the winners of the East Tuddenham v Thorpe Marriott semi-final, Tuddenham will go into the second leg at Marriott protecting a 16-8 points lead. With Halvergate in prime position to successfully defend the Bure League title the league & cup double is now in their sights. In the Norwich Cup Thorpe Marriott are through to the semi-finals after an impressive 14-2 home win against First Bus. Sheila Redwood, Ted Redwood & Tony Turner opened with a 9-1 win against Bob Pattison’s triple and Janet Pinchen, Trevor Pinchen & George Clarke beat Rex Cox’s triple 7-5. The pairs continued the good work for Marriott in the second session with John Jarvis & Sylvia Turner beating the talented First Bus pairing of Elaine & Bob Oatway by 11-4 and Jenny Walker & Richard Perkins beating Betty Cox & Colin Coman 8-5. One more win was needed to guarantee victory and the second triples session provided that twice over as Tony Turner’s triple won 7-5 and George Clarke’s triple romped to a 13-2 win against Bob Pattison’s triple. Walker & Perkins won their second game in the final session while Betty Cox & Colin Coman picked up a 15-2 win for First Bus. In the Tens League Hempnall moved up to second place with a 4-0 home win against Coltishall. A great first half for the home side saw Paul Baker & Joan Cann win 18-8 and Colin Stevenson, Bernie Cudden & Roger Parker win 21-6. After the break Chris East & Chris Mann won 13-9 while Jon Sparham’s triple won a tight game against Margaret Harman’s triple by 16-14.

                                                                                                                                                  Posted 29-1-14

Strong line-up for Bure League Singles Final

The Bure League Singles Championship heats were played at five venues and have produced a strong line-up for Finals Night. The heat at Woodbastwick saw three Norfolk Premier regulars finish level on six points each with shot difference kicking in to decide qualification. The night’s seeded player, John Turner of East Tuddenham, lost his opening game 9-6 against Halvergate’s Keith Cooke but recovered to win his next three games and finish with six points and +20 shots. Turner’s last game was against Hevingham’s George Clarke who had beaten Keith Cooke, John Andreae & Billie Barker in his first three games and needed just a draw to make sure of winning the heat but Turner’s 10-8 win relegated Clarke to third place. Its incredible to think that these two players contested the very first Norfolk County Singles Final twenty-seven years ago in 1986/87 when Turner became the first County Singles Champion. Keith Cooke’s 14-4 win in his last game against Kirby Bedon’s Billie Barker saw him snatch second place with six points and +10 shots ahead of Clarke who had six points and +9 shots. Both Turner & Cooke qualify for Finals Night. At Kirby Bedon Chris “Blazerman” Mann of East Tuddenham was in excellent form scoring a maximum eight points to win the heat. The crunch match was against Coltishall’s Vic Woods who Mann beat by 7-6. Vic Woods easily won his other games against Lianne Mills, Trevor Pinchen & Derek Gaskin and joins Chris Mann in the Finals Night line-up. The Horsford BC heat saw Halvergate and England player David Lamb win all his four games scoring 52 shots against 19. Maurice Kemp of Hevingham finished second with six points and + 9 to qualify as well. Woodbastwick’s former Norfolk star Peter Jablonowski won the Anglian Windows heat with three wins and a draw. David Knights of Thorpe Marriott was second with five points which was not enough to get him through. The East Tuddenham heat saw another former Norfolk star, Coltishall’s Les Harman, qualify with six points and +2 after a last heat defeat for Kirby Bedon’s Gerald Chilvers saw him miss out on a final place. Harman had played all his games and had to watch as Chilvers played Keith Halford of Anglian Windows. Chilvers went into the match already on six points and +7 shots and looked favourite to win the heat. Halford though had other plans as he produced his best bowls of the night beating Chilvers 11-5 to leave the Kirby Bedon veteran on six points and +1 shots, one shot behind Harman and not enough even to earn him a best runners-up place.

The full Bure League Singles Finals Night line-up is Chris Mann, David Lamb, Les Harman, John Turner, Peter Jablonowski, Vic Woods, Keith Cooke & Maurice Kemp, certainly a night to look forward to!  

                                                                                                                                     Posted 28-1-14

Inter-County Championship Round-Up

Following the weekend’s I.C.C results West Midlands Premier’s 22-18 win against Somerset Premier earns them a quarter-final tie against Oxfordshire Premier in the main Premier competition. As previously reported Norfolk Premier’s win against Gloucestershire means that they face the formidable Cheshire Premier, winners for the last seven years. In the other quarter-finals Kent Premier play Dorset Premier while Essex Premier play Hampshire Premier. In the main “A” Team competition West Sussex “A”, who beat Norfolk “A” in a sudden death singles shoot-out, play Cheshire “A” while Hertfordshire’s 24-16 win against Oxfordshire “A” earns them a crack at Somerset “A”. Avon’s 23-17 win against West Mids “A” gives them a tie against Surrey “A”. Essex “A”, who finished runners-up to Norfolk “A” in Group 3, beat Devon “A” 29-11 and play Kent “A” in the quarter-finals. In the Consolation “A” Team competition Suffolk play Cornwall “A” while Cambs 29-11 win against Shropshire “A” gives them a tie against Hampshire “A”. In the Premier Consolation section North Yorkshire’s convincing 34-6 win against London earns them a semi-final tie with the winners of the Northants v West Sussex match. East Sussex await the winners of the Herefordshire v Cornwall tie.

                                                                                                                                                                 Posted 28-1-14

 

Norfolk Premier victorious but “A” Team lose in dramatic sudden death singles shootout

Norfolk Premier proved to be too strong for Gloucestershire Premier in their Inter-County Championship qualifier beating them 26-14 on points in Northants but Norfolk “A” suffered the heartbreak of losing in a dramatic sudden death singles shootout after their match against West Sussex “A” finished level on points at 20-20. The triples proved to be a solid foundation in the Norfolk Premier win as George Clarke, John Turner & Melvin Woods won their games by 17-4 & 9-7 while Kim Bridge, Debbie Phillips & Keith Cooke won by 13-8 & 11-8 to earn all ten triples points. Chris Mann was in form in the singles beating Ryan Knight 16-10 and Jack Knight by 16-14. Trevor Brown added an 18-15 win in his opening game as the singles took eight out of ten points. Robbie Lamb, Andrew Stratton, Phil Watson & Selwyn Goldsmith won both their fours games by 12-3 & 10-4 which proved sufficient to pick up six points despite two defeats for Norfolk’s other rink. Gloucestershire’s pairs delivered their brightest moments taking eight out of ten points with a 16-10 first half win for Nigel Willard & Jack Barrett earning Norfolk’s only points. Norfolk Premier now face a massive task in the quarter-finals facing Cheshire Premier who have won the title for the last seven years. Norfolk “A” started well against West Sussex “A” winning the first session 6-2. Neil Davidson continued his run of form with an 18-5 win while Sheila Bragg won 15-14. A 15-11 win for Jenny Walker & Colin Coman in the pairs put Norfolk in front. Norfolk’s only win in the next session was an 11-8 win for Elaine Oatway, Rob Cranston, David Dewing & Simon Warnes while John Poynter, Les Chadwick & Mike Boswell drew 10-10. The third session was drawn with Neil Davidson winning 13-8 in the singles and Jenny Walker & Colin Coman also delivering their second win of the day by 15-10. Simon Warnes, in super form, skipped his rink to a 16-5 win in the final session but this was Norfolk’s only win. Mike Boswell’s triple drew again, this time 9-9, but defeats in the other two games left the scores tied at 20-20. This left the short mat bowls equivalent of a penalty shootout brought into play to decide the issue of which team would go through to the quarter-finals. Three players were nominated by both teams to play a one end sudden death singles decider. Simon Warnes of Horsford BC won his end but in a dramatic finish Hempnall’s Neil Davidson & Connaught’s Sheila Bragg lost their ends to leave West Sussex celebrating a dramatic last gasp victory.

                                                                                                                                                   Posted 26-1-14

Mark the Marvel is hero in local derby win

Horsford Heroes were left celebrating after a 10-0 home win against Horsford BC in their Bure League local derby. In the first half Mark Tuttle’s triple won 18-4 and Vic Webster’s triple won 18-10 to set the Heroes on their way and after the break things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Chris Woodhouse’s triple won 23-9 and Mally Kemp, Sue Fox & Keith Chapman scored the night’s biggest win beating Ray Ayre’s triple 24-6. With two Bure matches being played on the same night eight of the Horsford Heroes players had a busy time playing in both halves against different opposition. The match against Kirby Bedon though produced a much different result as Kirby Bedon scored a 9-1 away win. In the first half Jan Hewitt, Jimmy Dye & Brian Saunders won 16-12 against Chapman’s triple while Teresa Goldsmith, Pat Saunders & Phil Watson beat Chris Woodhouse 15-11. After the break Joe Brown’s triple won 14-13 while Gerald Chilvers’ triple earned a 12-12 draw. Hevingham scored a 7-3 home win against Coltishall in a match that finished with just five shots separating the teams. Coltishall earned a 3-1 halftime lead after Les Harman’s triple beat David Sharpe 11-9 and John Aggas’s triple drew 14-14 with Maurice Kemp. A hard fought second half saw the match swing Hevingham’s way as George Clarke’s triple beat Margaret Harman 16-14 and Betty Cox, Joyce Vincent & Rex Cox beat George Munford’s triple 15-10. Three nights later Coltishall returned to winning ways with a decisive 9-1 home win against Cromer. Although Margaret Harman’s triple were held to a first half 14-14 draw by Richard Airs’ triple Martin Edridge, Carol Aggas & John Aggas romped to a 24-4 win against former Coltishall player Jane James. Coltishall completed a good night with Les Harman’s triple winning 16-14 and George Munford’s triple winning 17-10. Halvergate moved into a strong position with an 8-2 home win against East Tuddenham in their top of the table clash. East Tuddenham held a narrow two shot lead at the interval after Chris Mann’s triple beat David Lamb 16-11 while Halvergate replied with an 11-8 win by Josh Baxter’s triple against Peter Smart. The second half though belonged to Halvergate as Robbie Lamb’s triple won 17-12 and Michael Savage, Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke beat Robin Amos 22-11. Woodbastwick won 8-2 at home to Horsford Heroes with Damian Lamb’s triple winning 16-11, Ron Elliott’s triple winning 18-12 & Tony Wright’s triple winning 16-14. Vic Webster’s triple picked up the visitor’s only points beating ex Coltishall star Willie Jefferies. 

                                                                                                                                        Posted 24-1-14

Baxter's withdrawal prompts team changes

Norfolk County Team Manager Selwyn Goldsmith has been forced into changes following the unexpected withdrawal of Halvergate and England Under 21 star Josh Baxter from Norfolk Premier’s team to face Gloucestershire Premier in Northants on Sunday. Baxter’s withdrawal through illness is likely to trigger other changes in the team for Norfolk’s most important match of the season so far. Goldsmith refused to be drawn on what changes he would make but said that Josh Baxter has been in fabulous form this season and his enforced absence was undoubtedly a major blow. As usual the Norfolk manager will not name the actual team until the morning of the match.

                                                                                                                                         Posted 23-1-14

Sheep savages Horsford Heroes

Hempnall continue their march to what looks like yet another inevitable South Norfolk League title as they won 10-0 away to Horsford Heroes. Sid Harman, Roger Parker & Neil “Sheep” Davidson led the way with a 24-4 win against Vic Webster’s triple to leave Horsford in an unaccustomed third from bottom after six matches. Second placed Saxlingham Nethergate slipped to an 8-2 defeat at Watton where John Hunter’s triple top scored with a 14-6 win for the home side.

 

Three teams battling for City League title

A great title race is taking place in the City of Norwich League between the leading three teams. At the top of the table Horsford BC & RG Carter are tied on 148 points each but Carter have one match in hand. Horsford BC top the table on shots though after beating Horsford Heroes 14-0. Thorpe Marriott are looking very strong in third place just nine points behind the leading pair but with games in hand on both. A 12-2 win at Sprowston SSC was Thorpe Marriott’s eleventh win in twelve games and keeps them breathing down the necks of Carter & Horsford. After twelve defeats and one draw Taverham finally celebrated a victory beating County Council 12-2. A busy period for Framingham Earl saw them win 8-6 at home to Jarrolds but lose 10-4 at First Bus, 12-2 at Deaf Sports and 10-4 at home to County Council. Jarrolds took maximum points in a 14-0 home win against bottom of the table Old Bonds while Felthorpe won 14-0 at home to British Rail.

                                                                                                                                          Posted 20-1-14

Successful weekend for Norfolk’s England players

The International Weekend proved successful for Norfolk players. David Lamb & Melvin Woods were part of England’s team that defeated Wales 138-57 while Jack Barrett, Morgan Warnes & Josh Baxter played for England Under 21’s in their 28-12 win against Herefordshire.

                                                                                                                                                     Posted 19-1-14

Jack Barrett & Morgan Warnes

Carter & Hempnall through to semi-finals

Norfolk County Cup holders Bob Carter are through to the semi-finals after a 6-2 home win against Wymondham. The first half was shared as Carter’s Nigel Willard beat Chris Mann 19-6 but a remarkable comeback saw Wymondham’s Jack Barrett beat Trevor Brown 19-16 after trailing 10-0 after five ends. After the break it was business as usual for Carter as Rob Howlett beat Brian Saunders 28-2 and Melvin Woods beat Debbie Phillips 15-7. Hempnall are also through to the last four after a comfortable 8-0 home win against Connaught “A” with Neil Davidson’s triple winning 18-6 against Sylvia Parsons. Bure Cup semi-final action saw East Tuddenham win 16-8 in their first leg home game against Thorpe Marriott. Peter Smart’s triple top scored for Tuddenham with five points while Tony Turner’s triple kept Marriott’s hopes alive also unbeaten on five points. Cromer won a close match at home to Halvergate by 13-11 but a two point lead gives Cromer little room for manoeuvre in the second leg. Halvergate won 3-0 at Bradwell after a second half comeback. Kirby Bedon won 4-0 at Hevingham after Teresa Goldsmith continued her comeback leading for Phil Watson in a 19-2 win.

                                                                                                                                            Posted 18-1-14

Avis Buttress  Rest in Peace

Norfolk C.S.M.B.A is saddened to learn of the death of Cambridgeshire bowler Avis Buttress and wish to convey our sincere condolences to Roy Everitt and the Cambridgeshire short mat bowls community.

                                                                           Posted 17-1-14

Willard is new Number One in the rankings

The new Norfolk Points Table reveals that Bob Carter’s Nigel Willard (pictured below) has moved up two places to the number one position in the rankings. His first ever Norfolk County Singles triumph was vital in claiming top spot. Young Halvergate sensation Josh Baxter has to be content with maintaining his number two place despite finishing level on points with Willard, the Carter players superior 2013/14 figures putting him on top. Eighteen year old Wymondham star Jack Barrett jumps up six places to number three after winning the County Triples & Mixed Fours titles. England international Melvin Woods of Bob Carter and John Turner of East Tuddenham both move up one place to four and five respectively after solid performances in the county championships. Kirby Bedon’s Selwyn Goldsmith moves up four places to number six after skipping the County Fours Champions while European Masters champion Chris Mann of Wymondham remains at number seven. The highest ranked lady bowler to feature is Wymondham’s Debbie Phillips who leaps up to number eight from number twenty-four after winning the County Mixed Fours and finishing as runner-up in the County Fours. Hempnall’s Jon Sparham regains a top ten place at number nine after moving up from number twelve. Bradwell’s Keith “Mr Consistency” Cooke moves up ten places to complete the top ten. Out of this years top ten is last season’s top ranked player David Lamb of Halvergate & England who drops down to number eleven, Thorpe Marriott’s Jenny Walker is level on points with Lamb but is ranked in twelfth place. Carter’s Trevor Brown moves up four places to number thirteen followed by Mikey George & Mark Linsdell of Wymondham both one point behind him. After finishing at number twenty-one last year Carter’s Jason Woods moves into the top twenty at sixteen after winning the County Pairs with his father Melvin Woods. Carter’s Kim Bridge became only the second lady bowler to reach the Norfolk County Singles final and this helped move her up twenty-two places to number seventeen. Last season’s number four Neil Davidson takes a big fall down to eighteen while Andrew Stratton is down four to number nineteen. Veteran Hevingham bowler George Clarke drops six places to number twenty despite playing at number two in Goldsmith’s winning County Four. The remaining ten bowlers who automatically receive a county team invite for next season by finishing in the top 30 are Phil Watson of Kirby Bedon, George Munford, Bob Oatway, Maureen Munford & Elaine Oatway all of First Bus, Robert Howlett and Jean Woods of Bob Carter, Peter Walker of Thorpe Marriott, Kerry Greenacre of Haddiscoe & Peter Smart of Sprowston SSC.

                   

East Tuddenham move eight points clear

A convincing 8-2 home win against Woodbastwick left East Tuddenham eight points clear of second placed Halvergate in the Bure League. Linda Chadwick, Les Chadwick & Peter Smart gave Tuddenham a perfect start beating Willie Jefferies’ triple 21-4 while Chris Mann’s triple added a 14-9 win to give the home side a 4-0 halftime lead. John Turner’s triple added a 20-7 win against Lianne Mills’ triple after the break while Tony Wright’s triple beat John Jeffery’s triple 14-9 to score Woodbastwick’s only points. Coltishall proved far too strong for visitors Horsford Heroes. A 20-8 win for George Munford’s triple and a 15-3 win for John Aggas started things off and a 15-8 win for Les Harman and a 21-18 win for Margaret Harman completed a maximum win. Anglain Windows recorded only their second win of the season beating Cromer 8-2 with Keith Halford’s triple scoring an 18-8 win. In the Tens League Kirby Bedon were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Connaught. Di & Dave Quadling gave the visitors a good start beating Brian Saunders & Phil Watson 15-5 but Jimmy Dye’s triple hit back with an 18-13 win. Billie Barker, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown gave the home side a boost after the break winning 21-7 against Bill Adcock’s triple but on the other mat Elaine & Bob Oatway beat Joan Costello & Gerald Chilvers 16-7 to tie the match at 1-1 on points with Chilvers saving Kirby Bedon from defeat with his final bowl.

                                                                  

                                                                                       
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Posted 15-1-14

Kirby Bedon reach semi-finals

Kirby Bedon enjoyed a comfortable 14-2 home win against Watton to reach the semi-finals of the Norwich Cup. All the first half games went Kirby’s way despite a spirited performance by the visitors with Margaret Hunter & Bryan Dibble both impressive. In the first session Joe Brown’s triple won 10-6 and Gerald Chilver’s triple won 8-5 to give Kirby a 4-0 points lead. The pairs increased that to 8-0 as Jan Hewitt & Selwyn Goldsmith won 8-4 & Teresa Goldsmith & Phil Watson won 7-4. After the break the Kirby triples made sure of a semi-final place with two 10-6 wins and Jan Hewitt & Selwyn Goldsmith added another win in the pairs. Tens League title favourites Bob Carter won 4-0 at home to Connaught. A 30-4 win in the first half for Jason & Melvin Woods set them on their way and modest wins in the three games made sure of maximum points. Halvergate won 3-0 at Bradwell after a second half comeback earned the points. Bradwell led by nine shots at the interval after home pairing Anne Baker & Keith Cooke beat Donna & David Lamb 22-9 while Steven Lamb’s triple replied for the visitors with a 16-12 win against Allan Collins’ triple. After the break the Halvergate pairing of Michael Tate & Josh Baxter held home pair Kerry Greenacre & John Sargent but the outcome was decided in favour of Halvergate after a sparkling 24-5 win for Kevin Watson, Ralf Savage & Robbie Lamb against Mike Harvey’s triple. In the Breckland League Connaught “A” kept their title hopes alive beating Hingham Green 10-0 with Diana Adock, Di Quadling & Owen Secker storming to a 34-7 win. Connaught “B” are third in the table after winning 8-2 at Banham with wins of 18-10, 19-8 & 23-13. The local derby at Harling saw the “A” team beat the “B” team 8-2. Watton won 8-2 at home to Forncett while Hingham Green and Banham drew 5-5. In the City of Norwich League leaders RG Carter are fourteen points clear at the top after a 12-2 home win against Felthorpe. Second placed Horsford BC suffered a maximum 14-0 defeat at Thorpe Marriott. Thorpe Marriott also won 11-3 at home to Anglian Windows and with two games in hand over the top two are mounting a serious title challenge. Costessey did a league double over First Bus winning 12-2 at home and 11-3 away. In the City Shield quarter-final Horsford Heroes beat County Council 13-3.

Chris Mann loses to Dillon in Sweden as Irish dominate

Chris Mann had a good start in the group stages of the Swedish Masters in Stromstad, Sweden. The Wymondham ace began with a 26-4 demolition of Norway’s Ronald Anderson who suffered a torrid time in the group stage. He followed this up with a 9-6 win against fellow Englishman John Lax before defeating Sweden’s Victor Andersson 11-4. Chris Mann then suffered a surprise 12-7 loss to Norway’s Morten Andre Coll before getting back on track beating Norway’s Ole Berg 17-6 to qualify for the next stage. Unfortunately his run came to an end in the knock-outs where he lost 14-5 to Ireland’s Cecil Dillon. An all Irish semi-finals saw Joseph Beattie win 12-6 against Jai Richardson while Mark Beattie won by 12-8 against Cecil Dillon. In the final Joseph Beattie beat Mark Beattie 10-7 to clinch the Swedish Masters title to add to the UK Open title he won earlier this season and the English Masters he won last year. Cecil Dillon finished in bronze medal position after a 11-10 win against Jai Richardson.

                                                                                                                                   Posted 12-1-14

Cheshire beat West Mids

Cheshire Premier’s 28-12 home win against West Mids takes them through as I.C.C Group One winners and earning them a quarter-final tie against the winners of the Norfolk v Gloucestershire preliminary round match. That match will take place at Northants on Sunday 26-1-13 when Norfolk also take on West Sussex “A” in their I.C.C “A” team preliminary match. As previously announced both Norfolk Premier and Norfolk “A”, should they be successful in their preliminary games, will face Cheshire teams in the quarter-finals. Next year’s groups have been announced and the news is that the number of groups in the Premier Team section has been increased to six instead of five despite no extra teams entering the premier competition. Norfolk will only play in a small Group Six of three teams facing just Essex and Northants. It is believed that Surrey, who played in Norfolk’s group this season, were reluctant to travel as far afield as Norfolk. Surrey now also play in a group of three with London & Oxfordshire in Group One. Without doubt the group of death is again Group Five that is made up of Cheshire, West Midlands, Shropshire & North Yorks. Group Four also remains the same with Cornwall, Devon, Dorset & Somerset competing. Group Three is sized down to four teams comprising of East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent & Hampshire, losing London from this year’s group. Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Wiltshire & Worcestershire play in Group Two after losing group winners Oxfordshire from this year’s group.

Obviously the changes will benefit some but not others. Taking the strong Oxfordshire team out of their present group gives the four remaining teams a chance of finishing as group winners. Putting Oxfordshire into a three team group with Surrey & London benefits both Surrey & London who will now contest a runner-up place to qualify for the main knockouts, something that would otherwise have been beyond them. The other side of the coin is that by leaving the group of death in place at least one powerful county, probably West Midlands or Shropshire, is destined to miss out on the main comp and find themselves in the meaningless Consolation Section. To a lesser extent the same can be said of Group Three, all four teams left in that group finished ahead of London this year. Maybe putting Kent into Oxfordshire’s Group One would have made more sense giving Oxfordshire more competition and ensuring two stronger teams qualifying from Group One. From Norfolk Premier’s point of view the season will not now start until the 19th of October when they visit Essex Premier, the same day Norfolk “A” will be playing their third match of the campaign. The total of just four group matches for Norfolk Premier will not be welcomed by its players who are always keen to play and saw no problem with the trips to Surrey & London over the past two seasons. 

The I.C.C “A” section in 2014/15 comprises of six groups with four teams in each. Norfolk will again face Essex, Cambs & Suffolk. Stockport Metro, despite not being recognised as a county, are in Group Six with Cheshire “A”, Shropshire “A” and West Mids “A”. 

                                                                                                                                                            Posted 9-1-14

Norfolk gets joint top allocation for Nationals

The ESMBA has announced the allocations for this season’s National Championships and Norfolk, along with Essex, has the top allocation of twenty-two entries from the thirty six counties listed. Norfolk has been awarded four entry places each in the Singles, Pairs, Triples & Fours Championships to be played in Derbyshire and three entry places in both the National Mixed Fours and National Under 18s Championships which will take place in Northants. The next biggest allocation was for North Yorkshire who have twenty entries followed by Surrey & Hampshire with eighteen each. Suffolk have seventeen entries while at the other end of the scale Cambridgeshire, Avon, County Durham, Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside & Staffordshire will be unrepresented in the championships.

England international Melvin Woods, Norfolk Premier skip Jon Sparham and talented England Under 21 & Norfolk bowlers Morgan Warnes & Jack Barrett have all qualified for three events.

Norfolk Qualifiers are:

National Mixed Fours (Caroline Chisholm 22-3-14)

1. Debbie Barrett, Debbie Phillips, Jack Barrett, Jon Sparham
2. Maureen Munford, Elaine Oatway, George Munford, Bob Oatway
3. Morgan Warnes, Christine Warnes, Josh Baxter, Keith Cooke

National Under 18s (Caroline Chisholm 23-3-14)

1. Jack Barrett
2. Morgan Warnes
3. Lewis Cranston

National Singles (Church Gresley IBC 3-4-14)

1. Nigel Willard
2. Kim Bridge
3. David Lamb
4. Andrew Stratton

National Pairs (Church Gresley IBC 4-4-14)

1. Jason & Melvin Woods
2. Jenny & Peter Walker
3. Mikey George & Jon Sparham
4. Morgan & Simon Warnes

National Triples (Church Gresley IBC 6-4-14)

1. Josh Baxter, Jack Barrett, Chris Mann
2. Nigel Willard, John Turner, Melvin Woods
3. Ray Lamb, Robbie Lamb, Keith Cooke
4. Liz Mason, Peter Smart, David Dewing

National Fours (Church Gresley IBC 5-4-14)

1. Gerald Chilvers, George Clarke, Phil Watson, Selwyn Goldsmith
2. Pat Saunders, Brian Saunders, Debbie Phillips, Jon Sparham
3. Jason Woods, Robert Howlett, Melvin Woods, John Turner

    4.   Sheila Redwood, Ted Redwood, Trevor Pinchen, Peter Smart       

                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                             Posted 6-1-14 

                                                                

Nigel Willard is Norfolk Singles Champion

The Norfolk County Singles Championships were played at Lakeside where Nigel Willard made up for last year’s last bowl defeat in the final by this year winning with a superb last bowl against Kim Bridge in an all Bob Carter final. Kim Bridge became only the second female player to reach the Norfolk Singles final in the history of the championships and took first blood scoring a single on the first end. Kim had held two shots but Willard reduced it to just one with a good backhand draw with his final bowl. Kim Bridge set a short jack on the second end and put Willard under pressure with a good third wood. Willard responded with a perfect forehand draw with his last bowl to level the game 1-1. 

Willard was playing to a full length jack on the third end but both players were short with their opening bowls. After Bridge drew in for shot Willard went on the attack and ditched the jack but a lovely backhand draw with her final wood to the ditch line gave Kim Bridge a 2-1 lead. On the next end Willard held two shots close to the jack but Kim Bridge almost pulled a last wood winner out again, this time though her bowl fell away from the jack after touching it and Willard moved back into the lead by 3-2. Willard set a long jack on the fifth end and held three shots after playing three woods. Kim Bridge then responded with a perfect forehand to take shot and ease the pressure and then drew in another wood to take a 4-3 lead. Spectators were fascinated as this tremendous final was providing great entertainment with the lead changing on every end. True to form the lead was to change yet again on the next end. With Kim Bridge holding two shots Willard took the bowl back with his second wood to hold two. Kim Bridge cut it to just one with her next bowl but a poor attacking final wood pushed her own bowl out of the head to gift Willard two shots. Willard should have taken full advantage and score three shots but he went off the side with his final wood but retook the lead by 5-4. Two superb bowls by Kim Bridge left her Carter team-mate in all kinds of trouble on the seventh end and Willard did not help his cause by playing a wrong bias wood off the mat. Bridge then finished off a fabulous end by drawing in a third bowl to lead 7-5. On what should have been the penultimate end Kim Bridge set a short jack again but failed to reach the live area with her first bowl but Willard failed to take full advantage as he went too long with his opening wood. Kim Bridge then delivered two super woods on to the jack forcing Willard to attack to good effect as he took shot and cut the lead to 7-6. The last scheduled end saw Willard set a long jack again but he hit the block with his opening bowl. Bridge then drew shot but Willard was in with his second wood. Bridge then again regained shot while Willard lost his next bowl into the ditch. With Nigel Willard staring defeat in the face he produced an absolutely perfect backhand to take shot with his last wood and level the game at 7-7. The extra sudden death end saw Bridge set another short jack and draw a perfect toucher onto the jack. Willard drew just behind with his first wood while Bridge drew in a second bowl. Willard then used weight to leave both players with one bowl in contention for shot. Bridge then drew in a lovely wood to hold two shots while Willard had the final bowl still to play. In an arena where you could hear a pin drop Nigel Willard came into Kim Bridge’s bowls with a weighted shot that pushed the jack back to leave him holding two shots and the Norfolk County Singles Championship title. Halvergate’s David Lamb won the third place play-off beating Wymondham’s Andrew Stratton 8-6. In the semi-finals Nigel Willard beat David Lamb 11-5 and Kim Bridge beat Andrew Stratton of Wymondham by 10-3. In the quarter-finals Nigel Willard beat Ian Mills, Kim Bridge beat Jack Barrett, David Lamb beat Selwyn Goldsmith and Andrew Stratton beat Andrew Jackson. As usual the group stages produced its share of shocks. Defending champion Josh Baxter of Halvergate lost all his three group games going down 15-3 to David Lamb, 8-6 to Simon Warnes and 8-4 to Thorpe Marriott’s Janet Pinchen. Janet Pinchen won the group with David Lamb in second place. 2008 champion Jon Sparham of Wymondham lost all his games in a group won by Bradwell’s Keith Cooke with Wymondham’s Andrew Jackson second. European Masters champion also went out in a group won by Wymondham’s Jack Barrett with Kirby Bedon’s Joan Costello a surprise second place qualifier. Four times champion John Turner went out in a group won by Carter’s Trevor Brown with Ian Mills in second place.  

  

                                                                                                                                           Posted 5-1-14

                                                                                  Kim Bridge & Nigel Willard

Carter on course in Tens while Halvergate are Bure favourites

Bob Carter’s 4-0 win at Coltishall keeps the pressure on defending champions Hempnall who are seeing the gap between them widen. A huge 23-6 win for Malcolm Reynolds, Kim Bridge & Nigel Willard against Vernon Bunn, Maureen Munford & George Munford left the home side with a mountain to climb. As it was the visitors won on all four mats anyway so a maximum points win was inevitable. Coltishall also suffered a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Halvergate after a close match resulted in a tight 55-53 shots win for the visitors. Carol & John Aggas gave Coltishall a great start beating Kevin Watson & David Lamb 20-11. That was as good as it got though for Coltishall as Halvergate won the other three games. Ian Mills, Ray Lamb & Robbie Lamb won 14-13, J Smith, Michael Savage & Steven Lamb won 14-11 and Roy Walker & Josh Baxter scored a vital 16-9 win against Roly Sargent & Margaret Harman to clinch the points. In the Bure League defending champions Halvergate put themselves into a strong position with an 8-2 away win at Anglian Windows. Jack Barrett’s triple won 24-10, Josh Baxter’s triple won 19-9 and David Lamb’s triple won 23-5. Mike Boswell’s triple picked up Anglian Window’s only win beating Keith Cooke’s triple 16-8. East Tuddenham remain top of the table after beating Thorpe Marriott 10-0 but have played two more games than Halvergate. A great first half for Tuddenham saw Peter Smart’s triple win 27-5 and Chris Mann’s triple win 25-5. Marriott’s agony continued after the break as John Turner’s triple won 21-8 and Robin Amos’ triple won 17-14 in the only close game of the night against Marjorie Hall, John Jarvis & Ted Redwood. Anglian Windows poor run continued with a 10-0 loss at Kirby Bedon. Phil Watson’s triple won 20-9, Selwyn Goldsmith’s triple won 24-5, Joe Brown’s triple won 18-11 and Gerald Chilvers’ triple won 11-7. The result leaves Windows with just one win and ten defeats which leaves them rooted to the bottom. Woodbastwick won 6-4 at home to Coltishall with new signings Willie Jefferies and Brian Bunting up against their former club but both Jefferies & Bunting suffered defeats. In the opening games Coltishall’s Vernon Bunn, Jean Barnett & Les Harman beat Willie Jefferies’ triple by 18-11 while Coltishall’s Martin Edridge, Carol Aggas & John Aggas beat Brian Bunting, Elaine Cole & Lianne Mills by 13-11 to leave the home side trailing 4-0 on points and ten shots at the break. Tony Wright’s Woodbastwick triple pulled the ten shots back in the second half beating Margaret Harman’s triple 17-7 and Damian Lamb’s triple earned the win beating George Munford’s Coltishall triple by 17-10. Coltishall also went down at Horsford Heroes where wins for triples skipped by Vic Webster, Roger Frank and Mark “The Marvel” Tuttle earned an 8-2 home win. John Aggas was the only successful Coltishall skip on the night.

 

                                                                                                                                                       Posted 5-1-14

New Year will begin with Norfolk Singles Championships

Next Sunday will see the New Year start off with a bang for Norfolk short mat bowlers as the Norfolk County Singles Championships are staged at Lakeside Country Club in Lyng on January 5th. As well as the coveted Norfolk County Singles title up for grabs this is also the last chance of the season for bowlers to gain a National Championship place in Derbyshire and improve their ranking positions on the Norfolk County Points Table. Young Halvergate & England Under 21 sensation Josh Baxter will be defending the title he won last year in a pulsating final against Nigel Willard that went down to the last bowl. Baxter has already won the Norfolk Triples with Chris Mann & Jack Barrett and currently tops the provisional rankings ahead of Jack Barrett. These two talented young men are locked in a battle to take over at the top of the rankings and it would be no surprise to see them contesting the final. The provisional table sees four veterans of the sport positioned in the next four places, current England international Melvin Woods of Carter and former internationals John Turner of East Tuddenham, Nigel Willard of Carter and Selwyn Goldsmith of Kirby Bedon. Turner has appeared in the final a record six times and won the title four times while Goldsmith has reached the final three times and won once. Willard was bitterly disappointed to lose last season and would love to lift a title that has eluded him. Melvin Woods’ only appearance in the final was in 2008 when he was beaten by Jon Sparham. Also in the provisional top ten are Wymondham’s Chris Mann followed by Hempnall’s Jon Sparham, Wymondham’s Debbie Phillips & Halvergate’s Keith Cooke. Chris Mann recently lifted the European Masters title in Belgium and will be determined to reach the Norfolk singles final for the first time while former champion Jon Sparham will feel the time is right for him to win again. Keith Cooke, along with Simon Warnes of Horsford BC, are two players more than capable of springing a surprise on the day. The Norfolk Singles Championships have produced it’s share of surprise results before. Danny Oakes of Woodbastwick became the youngest winner, at that time, when he beat former Norfolk & Hevingham player Gary Richardson in 1993/94. Russell Harris of Yaxham tore up the form book when he beat three time champion Vic Woods, then of Hevingham, in 1999/2000. Norfolk captain and singles specialist Trevor Brown will be tipped by many to lift the title. The former Oxfordshire and England star, twice National Singles champion, is a player of undoubted talent and quickly made a singles berth in the county team his own but a County Fours title in 2012/13 remains his only success so far in the Norfolk Championships. Among the other contenders are former champions Andrew Stratton of Wymondham & Peter Smart of Sprowston SSC. Stratton’s title win came in 2003/04 when he defeated John Turner at Roundwood in front of Channel 4 TV cameras. Peter Smart won the title in 2008/09 beating Neil Davidson when both players reached the final for the first time. Halvergate & England player David Lamb will be determined to perform well on Sunday but is certain to lose his number one position in the rankings after a disappointing run in the county championships over the last two seasons. Lamb has only reached the singles final once when he lost to Hempnall’s Neil Davidson in the 2011 final but a place in the final could still see him hold on to a top ten place. Two time winner Neil Davidson has performed well for Norfolk this season and is seen as a serious contender but like Lamb his position in the rankings is set to take a big drop this year but a third county singles win could see him at least remain in the top ten. Debbie Phillips and Thorpe Marriott’s Jenny Walker are likely to be the only lady bowlers ranked in the top twenty at the end of the season with Sunday giving Jenny Walker her last chance to overtake Debbie Phillips as the top female bowler in the rankings. History would be made if either lady won the title as Carol Aggas remains the only woman to have reached the final in the 27 years it has been held. Carol Aggas was defeated by Peter Barnett, then of Bob Carter, in the 1994/95 final when she represented Thorpe Marriott. Both players now of course play for Coltishall. Whatever the outcome Sunday is certain as always to provide it’s share of jubilation, disappointment, controversy and excitement as the cream of Norfolk’s short mat bowlers fight it out for the chance to be the Norfolk County Singles Champion for the next twelve months. 

                                                                                                                                               Posted 28-12-13

Jack Barrett & Josh Baxter battling to top the rankings

Hempnall win top of table clash against Carter

Defending Tens League champs Hempnall made home advantage count as they beat Bob Carter 2-0 in their top of the table clash. The classy combo of veteran Roger Parker and Norfolk singles specialist Neil Davidson gave Hempnall a first half boost beating newly crowned Norfolk Pairs champions Jason & Melvin Woods by 17-11. The first half triples game between Hempnall’s Paul Baker and Carter’s Nigel Willard finished all square at 13-13. After the break Robert Howlett’s triple hit back beating Jon Sparham 19-9 but once again the pairs paid off for Hempnall as Mick Pearce & Chris Mann beat Jean Woods & Trevor Brown 19-10. Both Connaught & Hevingham have struggled for points so far this season but when they met at Attleborough the Connaught side made home advantage count scoring a maximum 4-0 win. Di & Dave Quadling opened with a 14-6 pairs win while Di Adcock, Ty Musk & Sylvia Parsons won 16-6 in the triples. Elaine & Bob Oatway kept Connaught on course with a 16-7 pairs win and although the Hevingham triple of Gill Bunn, Alan Bunn & David Sharpe won their second half game by 14-8 it was not enough to stop Connaught leapfrogging them in the league table.

 

Marriott move into Bure Cup semi-finals

Thorpe Marriott were convincing winners against Anglian Windows in their Bure Cup quarter-final clash. Marriott had already built up a huge 18-6 lead from the first leg at Anglian Windows and did little wrong as they brushed Windows aside by 19-5 in the second leg to win 37-11 on aggregate. Margaret McPherson, Ted Redwood & Bob McPherson won their games by 5-1, 7-5 & 7-5 to score maximum points and Sheila Redwood, John Jarvis & Tony Turner followed suit winning by 8-2, 17-3 & 9-1. In the semi-finals Thorpe Marriott face East Tuddenham while Halvergate play Cromer.

                                                                                                                                Posted 21-12-13

Norfolk face preliminary round with Cheshire the reward?

The ESMBA have announced the draw for the knock-out stages of the Inter-County Championships and both Norfolk Premier & Norfolk “A” face preliminary round ties. Victory in those matches could mean both teams facing Cheshire in the quarter-finals. Norfolk Premier will face Gloucestershire in the preliminary round with the winners earning a quarter-final tie against the formidable Cheshire Premier, should they as expected win their group, who have dominated the I.C.C in recent seasons winning the title seven years in a row. Gloucestershire will provide tough opposition having won seven games in their group with their only defeat coming away to Oxfordshire Premier in their opening match of the campaign. Norfolk “A” was hoping to avoid the preliminary round after finishing top of their group seventeen points ahead of Essex. Unfortunately Norfolk “A” are one of only two group winners who do not go straight through to the quarter-finals, Avon being the other. Norfolk “A” has been drawn to face the runners-up in group 5 and that looks likely to be West Sussex. With one match left to play in group 5 Hampshire would need to win by at least 29-11 in West Sussex to overtake them in the table and that looks extremely unlikely. If Norfolk “A” make it to the quarter-finals they will face Cheshire “A” who knocked out Norfolk “A” at the same stage last season in a match that went down to the last bowl of the last match.

Shocker for Wymondham as Connaught “B” triumph

Defending Breckland League champions Wymondham started this match with an unblemished record of seven straight wins behind them while Connuaght “B” were again struggling near the foot of the table. Surely this would be another easy night out for the visitors with Connaught “B” playing the all too familiar role of victims while Wymondham coasted their way to yet another big win. But somebody had forgotten to tell Connaught “B” what the plot was or that they stood no chance against their illustrious opponents. After just a few ends of play Wymondham players could maybe have been excused for thinking that they were dreaming, or maybe having a full scale nightmare, as Connaught “B” ripped the formbook up. Wymondham’s Roger Steele, Melvyn Barker & Brian Saunders found themselves an almost unbelievable 22-0 down after eight ends against Brenda Cox, John Winup & Derek Liles. Things were not much better on the other mat as Norfolk Premier star Debbie Phillips, skipping Pat Saunders & Mary Fisher, was trying to figure out how to recover from an 11-0 deficit after just six ends against Peter Hambling, Steve Barclay & G Wilcox. Wymondham did manage to improve after this disastrous start but not enough to put any first half points on the board. Brian Saunders’ triple cut the deficit to 29-14 in their game while Debbie Phillips went down 18-11 leaving Connaught “B” with an unexpected 4-0 points lead at the interval and 22 up on shots. After the break Wymondham set about the task of trying to save their unbeaten record and by the end almost, but not quite, managed it. Hayley Stratton, Andrew Stratton & Jon Sparham will be pleased with a 21-8 win against Alan Marshall’s triple while Andrew Jackson, Mikey George & Jack Barrett beat Joyce Hazell’s triple 21-15. These results left Connaught “B” holding on for a 6-4 on points, 70-67 on shots, victory that they will savour for quite some time I imagine.In their previous match Wymondham won 10-0 at home to Harling “B”. All four games saw the Wymondham triples score over twenty shots each. Brian Saunders’ triple won by 23-3, Jack Barrett’s triple won 21-13, Andrew Stratton’s triple won by 23-10 and Chris Mann’s triple won 20-13. Second placed Carleton Rode won 6-4 at Connaught “B” where Neil Davidson’s triple won 23-14 for the visitors. Third placed Connaught “A” lost for the second time this season going down 6-4 at Harling “A”. Matt Cunningham’s triple beat Lee Fallows 21-13 and Mike Baker beat Sylvia Parsons by 16-15. The mid table clash between Forncett & Watton saw Forncett win 7-3 with Dennis Rumsby’s triple winning 24-5. Banham continue to struggle going down 8-2 at Watton where Richard Adams’ triple won 27-12.   

                                                                                                                                     Posted 20-12-13  

National Mixed Fours & Under 18's venue announced
The ESMBA have announced that the venue for the 2014 National Mixed Fours Finals (March 22nd) and the National Under 18's Finals (March 23rd) will be the Caroline Chisholm School, Wooldale Centre for Learning, Wooldale Road, Wootton, Northants, NN4 6TP. The venue is situated about 122 miles from Norwich.

Woodbastwick woe for Hevingham

Bure League leaders Hevingham suffered an 8-2 defeat at Woodbastwick. Willie Jefferies demonstrated what an important acquisition he has been for Woodbastwick as he skipped his triple to a 22-9 win against Hevingham’s Rex Cox triple while their other new signing Brian Bunting led for Rob Elliott & Lianne Mills in their 18-8 win against David Sharpe. Damian Lamb’s triple added a 15-6 win while Gill Bunn, John Richardson & George Clarke scored Hevingham’s only win beating Tony Wright’s triple 15-9. Cromer proved yet again how strong they are on their own mats as they beat Thorpe Marriott 8-2. Richard Airs’ triple led the way with an 18-12 win against Bob McPherson’s triple while Richard Perkins’ triple scored the visitors only win beating Jane James’ triple 14-9. Halvergate powered their way to an 8-2 away win at Thorpe Marriott with Keith Cooke’s triple winning 22-11.Kirby Bedon won 8-2 at home to Woodbastwick with Billie Barker, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown winning 26-10 against Peter Jablonowski while Horsford Heroes won 8-2 at home to Anglian Windows. Horsford’s biggest win was scored by Mark “The Marvel” Tuttle who beat Keith Halford 18-9. The addition of Wymondham star Chris Mann to the East Tuddenham side have made a huge difference to their team. He skipped his triple to a massive 23-6 win against P Strivens’ Horsford Bowls Club triple as Tuddenham romped to a 10-0 home win.

City League shock as RG Carter lose 14-0

City of Norwich League giants RG Carter suffered a shock 14-0 defeat at Sprowston SSC. David Dewing’s triple beat John Turner 12-9 but Les Chadwick took over the skips role for the last two ends as the Sprowston triple scored five shots on the final end to snatch victory. Terry Fletcher’s triple beat Trevor Brown 12-11, John Poynter’s triple beat Melvin Woods 14-11 and Peter Smart’s triple beat Nigel Willard 11-9.

Connaught “A” reach Norwich Cup Quarter-Finals

Connaught “A” reached the quarter-finals of the Norwich Cup after a 10-6 home win against Horsford BC. It seemed to be easy going for the home side in the first half as reeled off four straight wins. Sheila Bragg’s triple won 17-5 and Bill Adcock’s triple won 9-7. The pairs joined in the fun with Chris Musk & Sylvia Parsons winning 7-5 and Jim Li-Rocchi & Owen Secker winning 8-4. After the break though Horsford hit back with Bob Burrage’s triple winning 11-2 & David Claxton’s triple winning 11-3. E Mills & Dennis Seaton added a 9-8 win but they could not quite complete the perfect comeback as Connaught’s Musk & Parsons won their final game by 11-5. In the quarter-finals Connaught “A” face a daunting trip to their Breckland League rivals Wymondham. Cup favourites Bob Carter are drawn at home to South Norfolk League giants Hempnall in another great looking tie. Thorpe Marriott will be at home to First Bus and Kirby Bedon are drawn at home to Watton.

                                                                                                                                  Posted 17-12-13

Woods pair worthy County Pairs champions

Bob Carter’s Jason & Melvin Woods are the new Norfolk County Pairs champions after an absorbing final against Thorpe Marriott’s Jenny & Peter Walker. Two superb opening bowls by Jenny Walker on the first end forced Jason Woods into launching an attacking bowl which sent the jack into the ditch but still leaving the Walkers holding two shots. Peter Walker then drew in a third shot but Melvin Woods cut it to just one and that’s how it stayed. Two great bowls by Jason Woods on the second end put the Carter pair in control and Melvin Woods drew in a third to give them a 3-1 lead. After two more super bowls by Jason Woods the Thorpe Marriott pair took shot courtesy of a perfect forehand by Peter Walker. England international Melvin Woods then played a forcing backhand shot to hold shot. With his next bowl Woods took Marriott’s best bowl out to hold three and they moved into a commanding 6-1 lead after Peter Walker was short with his final bowl of the end. Peter Walker attacked with his first wood on the next end that they badly needed to win to stay in the game. Melvin Woods failed to change the head as the Walkers cut the deficit to 6-3. After a somewhat loose start to end five Peter Walker produced two good bowls to hold two shots but Melvin Woods cut it to just one and the Carter pair now led by just two shots. The sixth end saw Jason Woods draw around a short Jenny Walker bowl to take shot and when skip Peter Walker played his first wood he went too long. Melvin Woods then used weight to attempt to remove Jenny Walker’s bowl from the head but instead removed Jason Woods holding bowl and by the time Melvin Woods stepped up to play his final bowl the Walkers held three shots. Woods then produced probably the shot of the match as he drew in an absolutely perfect forehand draw to take shot and a 7-4 lead. On the penultimate end Jason Woods played two cracking opening bowls and when Melvin Woods added a third on the back-hand  the Thorpe Marriott pair were in deep trouble. Peter Walker was forced to attack on his forehand but took just one Carter bowl out. He tried once again with his last bowl but Carter held on to take the two shots they needed to make sure of victory by 9-4 and the Marriott pair conceded without the last end being played. It was the first Norfolk County Pairs title for both players. In the semi-finals Jason & Melvin Woods beat Mikey George of Wymondham & Jon Sparham of Hempnall after a dramatic last end. With the score level at 3-3 going into the final end Sparham held shot with a toucher and the jack in the ditch. A forehand by Melvin Woods wicked across the mat to hold shot with just Sparham’s last bowl to play. Sparham attempted to kill the holding bowl but caught a short wood and sliced away. In the other semi-final the Walkers beat Morgan & Simon Warnes of Horsford BC to reach the final. The third place play-off was won by Mikey George & Jon Sparham after a superb reverse bias winner by Sparham won the game by 6-5 after they trailed 5-4 going into the last end. Defending champions Jack Barrett & Josh Baxter went out in the last 16 stage losing 7-5 to Kirby Bedon’s Joan Costello & Connaught’s Sheila Bragg.       

Norfolk County Pairs champions Jason & Melvin Woods

Runners-up Peter & Jenny Walker

Halvergate knock out cup holders

Halvergate were convincing winners over Kirby Bedon in their Bure Cup Quarter-Final clash played over two legs. In the first leg at Kirby Church Hall Mike Harvey, Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke were in great form producing wins of 13-3, 11-3 & 6-4 as the home side struggled badly. Kirby Bedon’s Teresa Goldsmith, Jimmy Dye & Selwyn Goldsmith stopped the visitors from recording a big win as they delivered three straight wins of 4-3 against David Lamb, 15-2 against Josh Baxter and 7-6 against Robbie Lamb but the visitors were delighted with a 14-10 win. The second leg at Halvergate’s Freethorpe venue started with a drawn session as Keith Cooke’s triple beat Phil Watson 4-3 but Selwyn Goldsmith’s triple, with Teresa Goldsmith continuing her comeback with another impressive display, hit back inflicting their second defeat in two days on David Lamb’s triple. After that though it was one way traffic and Kirby conceded the tie at 14-2 down. Halvergate will meet Cromer in the semi-finals. 

                                                                                                                                              Posted 15-12-13

 

Chris is the main Mann at Hingham

South Norfolk News

South Norfolk League leaders Hempnall took maximum points at Hingham but the only clear cut win was by Chris Mann’s triple who scored a 17-9 win as the Hingham side fought all the way. Connaught’s 10-0 home win against Watton moved them above Saxlingham and into second place as Chris Musk, Ty Musk & Steve Hall romped to a 22-4 win. Wreningham put up stout resistance at Saxlingham before slipping to a 6-4 defeat due to a 25-7 win by Saxlingham’s John Torbitt, Nancy Banham & Alan Banham that earned the match points.

Carleton Rode moving up

Breckland News

Breckland League action saw Carleton Rode move up to second place behind defending champions Wymondham. They will be pleased with a 5-5 draw at Connaught “A” where Neil Davidson’s triple won 22-18 and Will Hoggan’s triple won 20-12. The Rode also won 9-1 at home to Harling “A” with Will Hoggan’s triple winning 27-4. It was an odd week for Hingham Green who lost at home but won away. They surprisingly went down by 8-2 at home to Forncett with away skips Dennis Rumsby, Peter Lock & Martin Humphreys all winning. Two days later though Hingham Green pulled off an excellent 8-2 win at Banham where Keith Thomas skipped his triple to a 26-9 win, County Squad player Graham Tweed won 22-8 and Neville Thorpe won 16-14.

Hevingham have the Kirby Bedon blues

Bure League News

Bure League leaders Hevingham went down 8-2 at Kirby Bedon. The home side just had the edge in two excellent first half games as Teresa Goldsmith, Jan Hewitt & Selwyn Goldsmith beat George Clarke’s triple 14-8 and Jill Watson, Melvyn Barker & Brian Saunders beat David Sharpe’s triple 15-9. Billie Barker, Pat Saunders & Gerald Chilvers added a second half 16-10 win against Maurice Kemp while Hevingham’s points were earned by Alan Bunn, Ian MacLean & Rex Cox who beat Joe Brown’s triple 13-10. Woodbastwick won by 7-3 at Horsford Heroes where Peter Johnson, Norma Jablonowski & ex Coltishall star Willie Jefferies beat Roger Frank 16-9. Lianne Mills’ triple added a one shot win against Mick Dale and Jim Couling’s triple earned a 12-12 draw. The home teams only win came courtesy of Mark “The Marvel” Tuttle who beat Tony Wright 14-11. Anglian Windows suffered a heavy defeat at Horsford BC where the home side celebrated a 10-0 win. Leading the way were Barbara Diggle, Dot Loftus & David Downing with a 23-10 win. Christine Warnes, Piero Cognetti & Peter Warnes won 17-6, Malcolm Makins, Joyce Winder & David Claxton won 17-8 and B Diggle, John Bugg & Ray Ayers won 15-11.

                                                                              Cromer into semi-finals

Bure Cup News

Cromer are into the semi-finals of the Bure Cup after winning 12-4 at Horsford Heroes in the second leg of their cup-tie. Already leading 17-7 from the first leg Cromer opened with four straight wins to seal the tie. Two more sessions were played with Cromer adding two more wins and a draw before Horsford conceded. East Tuddenham won 16-8 at Woodbastwick with skips Chris Mann, Peter Smart, Robin Amos & John Turner winning two games apiece. Woodbastwich then decided to concede the tie without visiting East Tuddenham to play the second leg.

 

Leaders Bradwell Blue beat Hemsby

Coastal News

It’s a great battle for the title in the Coastal League this season. Leaders Bradwell Blue won 16-2 at home to Hemsby but second placed Martham won 11-7 at home to Woodbastwick Eagles and have a game in hand. The Eagles won 14-4 at home to Bradwell Red and also have a game in hand over the leaders. South Walsham won 10-8 at Woodbastwick Owls.  

 

Win & Lose for Halvergate

Tens News

Halvergate inflicted a 25 shot defeat on Hevingham to earn a maximum 4-0 home win in the Tens League. Morgan Warnes & Josh Baxter opened with an 18-9 win against Ian McLean & George Clarke while Simon Warnes’ triple beat Rex Cox 15-11. After the break Ray & David Lamb beat Gill Bunn & Maurice Kemp 19-13 while Ian Mills, Steven Lamb & Robbie Lamb beat David Sharpe’s triple 14-8. In their next match though Halvergate were beaten 4-0 at Bob Carter where Robert Howlett’s triple beat Simon Warnes 24-6 & Nigel Willard’s triple beat Robbie Lamb 24-11. In the pairs Jean Woods & Trevor Brown won by 22-14 against Ray Lamb & David Lamb and Jason and Melvin Woods beat Morgan Warnes & Josh Baxter by 15-11. Coltishall won 4-0 at home to Bradwell largely due to a big 23-5 win for Carol & John Aggas against Kerry Greenacre & Allan Collins.

Walker & Perkins swing match Marriott’s way

Norwich Cup

A great match at Coltishall saw visitors Thorpe Marriott win by just five shots after their cup-tie finished level on points. All four sessions were drawn but a fabulous 13-2 win by Marriott’s Jenny Walker & Richard Perkins swung the match in their favour in the final session.

                                                                                                                                                    Posted 9-12-13

Both Norfolk sides through to I.C.C knockout rounds

It proved to be a day of mixed fortunes for Norfolk’s two county teams in their last group games in the Inter-County Championships away to Essex. Both Norfolk Premier and Norfolk “A” went into their matches as group leaders but while Norfolk “A” did more than enough to finish as group winners in their section Norfolk Premier saw their run of five successive wins come to an abrupt end as they suffered an embarrassing defeat on the difficult Stonyhill IBC mats. Norfolk “A” saw their 25 point lead at the top reduced to 17 points as Essex “A” made a good start. Only Hempnall’s Neil Davidson won in the first session as he bowled immaculately to win his opening singles game 24-6. Essex moved into a 12-4 lead after session two with Norfolk’s Ian Mills, Melvyn Barker, David Dewing & Simon Warnes 15-3 win in the rinks their only victory. Session three finally saw Norfolk “A” earn the points that guaranteed top spot as Neil Davidson won 15-6 while Colin Coman & Robin Amos added a 22-5 pairs win. In the final session  Joan Costello, Graham Tweed & John Jarvis won 11-10 and Elaine Oatway, John Poynter & Les Chadwick won 15-12 leaving Essex “A” winning 24-16 on points but Norfolk “A” winning the group and awaiting the knock-out draw to see who they take on next. Norfolk Premier went into the game on the end of a five match unbeaten run and needed to score at least 18 points to remain top. Their target was always going to be difficult to attain with the fantastic home record that Essex Premier have. Bob Carter’s Trevor Brown was in superb form in his opening game beating Mitchell Young 16-6 but little did Norfolk realize that this would prove to be the only points they would collect in the match. Five other games during the match could have gone either way but in all five Norfolk finished on the losing side by just one or two shots. This was little consolation though as Essex Premier powered to a superb 38-2 home win that left the visiting Norfolk side reeling. Norfolk must now put this defeat firmly behind them as second place in the group was still enough to see them through into the knock-out rounds. The good thing is that these will be played at neutral venues. Three Norfolk “A” bowlers received a plaque presented by E.S.M.B.A President George Clarke for representing Norfolk three times, they were Janet Pinchen, Maureen Munford & George Munford.   

                                                                                                                                              Posted 8-12-13 

                                                                          ESMBA President George Clarke with Janet Pinchen

                                                                   Maureen Munford with ESMBA President George Clarke

Northants Premier & Suffolk latest victims of Norfolk

It was another great Inter-County Championship weekend for Norfolk as both county teams won to remain top of their respective groups. Norfolk Premier made it a fantastic five wins in a row as they hammered old rivals Northants 31-9 at Lakeside. Despite having class internationals such as Leigh Hall & Edward Sawbridge in their team Northants were no match for a rampant Norfolk side who took the bonus points in all four disciplines. With four regular players unavailable Norfolk manager Selwyn Goldsmith was forced into changes and a new look pairing of David Lamb & Jack Barrett produced wins of 18-8 & 10-8 while the young pairing of Morgan Warnes & Josh Baxter added a 14-8 first session win. Norfolk triples took all ten points as Kim Bridge, John Turner & Melvin Woods won by 14-10 & 15-10 while Neil Davidson, Debbie Phillips & Keith Cooke won by 12-11 & a resounding 15-2. Ian Mills made his premier debut leading for Robbie Lamb, Phil Watson & Selwyn Goldsmith and they won their opening game by 13-7 and drew their second game 5-5. Jon Sparham’s rink added a 10-4 win while singles players Chris Mann & Trevor Brown won a game each as Norfolk scored 199 shots against 143. Both Mann & Brown inflicted defeats on the talented Edward Sawbridge but Leigh Hall managed one shot wins against both Norfolk players. Norfolk “A” entertained Suffolk and will be more than pleased with a 25-15 win. Leading the way for them were Elaine Oatway, Rob Cranston, Ray Lamb & Steven Lamb who won both their games by 13-6 & 13-5 which also earned the two bonus points. Connaught’s Sheila Bragg was in super form in the singles winning both her games by 12-9 & 13-10. Sheila Redwood, Ted Redwood & Simon Warnes drew their first game 10-10 but won their second by 13-6.

                                                                                                                                                       Posted 1-12-13

Latest League & Cup news

Norfolk County Cup action saw Wymondham inflict an 8-0 home defeat on Coltishall. The visitors opened with Debbie Phillips’ triple beating John Aggas 15-10. In the other first session game former Hevingham player Vic Woods was making his debut for Coltishall following his controversial departure from Hevingham last summer. It did not prove a successful debut as Woods’ triple were beaten 17-13 by Brian Saunders’ Wymondham triple. After the break Wymondham wrapped up maximum points as Jack Barrett’s triple won 16-9 and Chris Mann’s triple won 12-11. Thorpe Marriott entertained Cromer in the other County Cup tie that finished in a 7-1 home win. The result is still to be officially confirmed with the NCSMBA Competition Secretary, Peter Smart, investigating a breach of cup rules due to the home side allegedly fielding a player who had already appeared in the same round for Hevingham against Hempnall. The Turners led the way for Marriott with Sylvia Turner’s triple winning 27-10 and Tony Turner’s triple winning 20-7. Norwich Cup second round games saw Kirby Bedon beat Halvergate on shots after their match finished 8-8 on points. All the four sessions were shared with neither side able to deliver a knock-out blow but Kirby’s 62 shots to Halvergate’s 55 decided the issue. Shirley & Joe Brown’s win of 5-4 against Ray & David Lamb and 12-9 against Morgan Warnes & Josh Baxter earned them the night’s star rating but a superb 15-1 win by Jill Watson, Jan Hewitt & Phil Watson against Donna Lamb, Simon Warnes & Robbie Lamb proved crucial. First Bus beat visitors Forncett 9-7 after battling back from 5-3 down at the interval. Bob Pattison’s First Bus triple won both their games beating L Preece 13-7 and Peter Lock 11-3 while Joan & Dennis Rumsby of Forncett were unbeaten with a 9-7 win and a 7-7 draw. Bob Carter proved far too strong for visitors Cromer who they beat 14-2 on points, 108-24 on shots. In the Bure Cup Thorpe Marriott enjoyed a convincing first leg 18-6 win at Anglian Windows and the second leg looks just a formality for Marriott. Jenny Walker, Sheila Redwood & Sylvia Turner won their games 7-6, 7-2 & 5-4 while Bob McPherson’s triple won their first two games and drew their last one. A shock result in the Tens League saw title chasing Bob Carter beaten 2-0 on their own mats by Coltishall. P Sargent & Margaret Harman opened with a 12=10 win against Jean Woods & Trevor Brown while Les Harman’s triple drew 11-11 with Nigel Willard. In the second half Carol & John Aggas kept the pressure on Carter beating Jason & Melvin Woods 14-8. Carter’s only win was an 18-12 victory for Rob Howlett’s triple against Peter Barnett.  Connaught suffered two home defeats at the hands of the big boys. Defending champions Hempnall defeated them 2-0 with Paul Baker’s triple winning 17-11 while leaders Bob Carter won 4-0 with Nigel Willard’s triple winning 18-9. Bradwell were beaten 3-0 at Kirby Bedon where Janice Hewitt & Selwyn Goldsmith won 19-7 and also lost 4-0 at Hempnall where Charlie Archer’s triple won 17-5. Hempnall also won 4-0 at Coltishall where Jon Sparham’s triple won 20-8. 

                                                                                                                                             Posted 30-11-13     

Jim Siggee  Rest in Peace

Norfolk C.S.M.B.A is saddened to learn of the sudden death of Cambridgeshire bowler Jim Siggee. Jim was a great character who had been a regular in the Cambs county team for many years and well known to Norfolk bowlers. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him in short mat bowls.

                                                                           Posted 25-11-13

The Young Ones hit the heights

Three talented young men combined to launch an assault on the Norfolk County Triples Championship and defeat the defending champions in a fascinating final at Lakeside. Josh Baxter of Halvergate and Wymondham’s Jack Barrett & Chris Mann powered their way to the title in impressive style against the vastly experienced triple of East Tuddenham’s John Turner and Bob Carter’s Melvin Woods & Nigel Willard. Josh Baxter produced two lovely opening woods on the opening end to set the high standard he was to maintain throughout but John Turner drew in a super backhand bowl into the congested head. Willard managed to promote one of his triple’s bowls into the best back position with his first wood but Chris Mann sent down a running wood leaving his triple holding four shots and Willard failed to change much with his final bowl. A cagey second end of bowls followed with Josh Baxter holding shot in a vulnerable position. Chris Mann improved things with a perfect bowl but a weighted final bowl from Nigel Willard earned his triple a shot. A messy start to the third end was not improved when Nigel Willard left Mann with a good target that he took advantage of but Willard ditched the jack with his second wood to cut the deficit to 4-2. On the fourth end a great attacking bowl by Josh Baxter with his second wood ditched the jack. Barrett then took out the second bowl before drawing in second wood himself to hold three shots. Willard attacked to try and improve the situation but missed his target and Chris Mann’s triple took three shots to move 7-2 up. Super lead bowls by both Baxter and Woods started the fifth end   and left the skips calling for positional bowls from their number twos. A superb bowl by Chris Mann put Willard under intense pressure but he responded by drawing shot to cut Mann’s lead to 7-3. Melvin Woods was long with his opening bowl on the sixth end and Baxter drew shot yet again. Woods attempted to attack the holding bowl but only succeeded in taking out his own back wood. Josh Baxter then ditched the jack to put his triple in the driving seat. Willard had to resort to weight to try and resolve the situation but failed. Mann then took out the best opposition bowl to score four shots and move 11-3 up. On the penultimate end Baxter kept the pressure on until Turner drew in an excellent back hand. Jack Barrett took it straight out though and Mann covered the danger at the back. Nigel Willard then drew in last wood to take shot but with the score at 11-4 in Chris Mann’s favour the defending champions conceded. In the third place playoff Halvergate’s Ray & Robbie Lamb, skipped by Bradwell’s Keith Cooke beat Liz Mason, Peter Smart & David Dewing of Sprowston by 9-8 when Cooke’s last bowl earned his triple three shots. Two brilliantly entertaining semi-finals saw Chris Mann’s triple beat Keith Cooke’s triple 9-8 on a sudden death extra end while Nigel Willard’s triple beat David Dewing’s triple 7-6 when Dewing narrowly failed to take shot with his last wood on the last end.    

Josh Baxter, Chris Mann & Jack Barrett produced a stunning final performance to win the Norfolk County Triples

John Turner, Nigel Willard & Melvin Woods came close to winning the title two years in a row

Sims Simply the Best

Hemsby SMBC hosted the Coastal Singles on 17^th November with Ted Sims emerging victorious after an excellent day’s bowling. The round robin stages finished with Ted Sims of South Walsham, Allan Collins of Bradwell Blue, Steve Ball of Martham and Derek Sheldrake of Woodbastwick Owls the successful bowlers. Ted Sims faced Allan Collins in the semi-final and Ted Sims hit top form right from the start as Allan Collins struggled with the change of mat. Ted Sims kept the pressure on and won convincingly by four shots. The other semi-final between Steve Ball and Derek Sheldrake was a close affair with only one shot separating the two players up to the sixth end. Derek Sheldrake then broke away to lead by three shots but a strong recovery by Steve Ball saw him clinch a two shot victory. In the final South Walsham’s Ted Sims was in superb form and closed the door on Steve Ball at every turn on his way to an 11-4 win and the Coastal Singles title.

Coastal Singles winner Ted Sims with runner-up Steve Ball at Hemsby SMBC

Hempnall back on top

The top of the table clash in the South Norfolk League saw defending champions Hempnall regain top spot beating Saxlingham 10-0 with Richard Harrowing’s 23-8 win the biggest of the night. Third placed Connaught won 7-3 at home to Horsford with Chris Musk, Ty Musk & Steve Hall winning 21-5. Horsford did better at home to Hingham recording a 10-0 win in which Mick Dale’s triple won 21-13 and Keith Chapman’s triple won 16-9. It was a frantically busy week for Horsford who also won 6-4 at Wreningham but lost 8-2 at Watton.

City League pack chasing Carter & Horsford BC

Jarrolds lead the pack of clubs chasing the top two teams in the City of Norwich League. RG Carter sit on top with 88 points and Horsford BC are just four points behind them. With both clubs without a match over the last few days the clubs behind them had a chance to close the gap. Jarrolds took full advantage with a 12-2 win at Felthorpe to stay in third place. Fourth placed Costessey though lost ground as they slipped up losing 12-2 at Thorpe Marriott who look on paper the bigger threat. They demonstrated this with a 14-0 win at Old Bonds but went down 10-4 on the difficult County Council mats losing by just two shots. Sprowston’s poor start to the season improved with a maximum 14-0 home win against Taverham. Horsford Heroes also enjoyed a solid 12-2 home win against County Council.

 Wymondham win at Hingham

Breckland League leaders Wymondham battled their way to an 8-2 win at Hingham. The home side did not make life easy for the defending champions though as Hayley Stratton, Mikey George & Chris Mann had to score three shots on their final end to clinch a 17-16 win against John Higgs’ triple. Brian Saunders’ triple emerged with a 14-10 win while Pat Saunders, Andrew Stratton & Jack Barrett earned the nights biggest win of 27-11. Hingham’s only reward from a hard fought match was earned by Wendy Tweed, Jim Roache & Keith Thomas who beat Jon Sparham’s triple by 16-12. Banham won 10-0 at home to Harling “A” to move second with Val Footer, Roger Kerrison & Jim Delaney winning 25-10. Connaught “A” won 8-2 at home to Watton with Sheila Bragg’s triple winning 23-10, Lee Fallows’ triple winning 23-11 & Sylvia Parsons’ triple winning 25-13. Margaret Hunter’s triple replied for Watton with a 17-11 win against Bill Adcock. After three straight defeats Connaught “B” won their first match of the campaign beating Harling “B” 8-2 with John Winup’s triple winning 22-8.

First leg goes to Cromer

Cromer built up a 17-7 lead after their Bure Cup first leg tie at home to Horsford Heroes. Penny Jefferies, Pat Hall & Aleck Haynes led the way with three sparkling wins of 9-2, 14-0 & 13-4 while Tom Doyle, Ros Andreae & Richard Airs produced wins of 6-4, 4-3 plus a 6-6 draw. Horsford Heroes will need to come out of the blocks fast in the return leg if they are to stay in this tie.

                                                                                                                                                    Posted 20-11-13

Jack Barrett beats Morgan Warnes on shot difference

Norfolk held it’s National Under 18’s Qualifier at Lakeside where Norfolk Premier players Jack Barrett & Morgan Warnes finished first and second respectively as expected. The heat was not without surprises though as Morgan Warnes lost her opening game by 10-8 against County Council’s Owen Cranston. Wymondham’s Abigail Jackson also impressed with an opening 14-3 win against Owen Cranston and only lost by 10-6 to Morgan Warnes. Wymondham’s Jack Barrett put himself in the driving seat with three wins in a row and could afford a 7-3 defeat against Morgan Warnes in his final game. Lewis Cranston started well with wins against Abigail Jackson and his younger brother Owen Cranston before a narrow 10-7 loss to Jack Barrett. By the end of play Jack Barrett had six points and +20 shots, Morgan Warnes was second also with six points but with +7 shots. Lewis Cranston was third with four points and +5, Owen Cranston was fourth with two points and Abigail Jackson fifth also with two points.

National Under 18s Qualifier winner Jack Barrett and runner-up Morgan Warnes

Lewis Cranston, Owen Cranston, Morgan Warnes, Jack Barrett & Abigail Jackson

England fail in Ireland

The British Isles Championships in Coleraine ended in disappointment for England as they failed to bring home any of the five titles. In the team event Ireland, as expected, finished champions yet again with England as runners-up, Wales third and Scotland fourth. England’s opening match saw them lose 57-44 to Ireland but a 54-36 win against Wales and a 55-31 win against Scotland secured second spot. In the singles event Jason McLean of Hampshire lost his opening match 20-3 against Ireland and his second match by 16-9 to Wales. His final match, a 14-13 win against Scotland, proved crucial as it gave Wales first place on shots ahead of Scotland. The pairs title went to Scotland with Wales as runners-up. England’s Ryan Knight & Chris Hopkins finished in fourth place with a 21-8 defeat against Ireland giving them the worst possible start. Ireland won the triples with Wales in second place. England’s Simon White, James Neal & Gareth Stanway of Cheshire lost two games and won once, a 12-10 win against Scotland. The fours title went to Ireland with Oxfordshire’s AJ Brown’s rink in second place. Brown started well beating Wales 15-11 and followed with an 18-10 win against Scotland. With Ireland also winning their first two games the match between Ireland & Brown’s England rink was the decider. Ireland won this by 16-7.

                                                                                                                                            Posted 16-11-13

Irish host British Isles event at Coleraine

This Friday & Saturday the British Isles Championships are being held at the Coleraine Leisure Centre where Ireland are again hot favourites to win the title. The England team, under the management of Brandon Whittaker, sees Cheshire’s Gareth Stanway facing a busy weekend as he skips in the B.I Triples as well as skipping a rink in the B.I Team Championships. The full England line-up is as follows.

British Isles Singles – Jason McLean (Hampshire)

British Isles Pairs – Ryan Knight (Gloucestershire & Chris Hopkins (Northants)

British Isles Triples – Simon White, James Neal, Gareth Stanway (all Cheshire)

British Isles Fours – Geoff Cross, Tim Cross, Gareth Davies, AJ Brown (all Oxfordshire)

England Team Rinks

Steve Proctor (Cheshire), Andrew Beard (East Sussex), Ben Render (North Yorks) & Grant Soller (Cheshire)

Mitchell Young (Essex), Ben Pay (Hampshire), Adam Sultana, Dom Reed (both Essex)

Jacinta Townend (North Yorks), Matt Sifford (Essex), Dave Wiggins, Roger Wiggins (both Oxfordshire)

David Newsome (North Yorks), Steve Packer (West Yorks), Jon Pitcher (West Mids), Gareth Stanway (Cheshire)

                                                                                                                             Posted 16-11-13

Connaught “A” win superb County Cup tie against Bradwell

A superb Norfolk County Cup tie between Connaught “A” and Bradwell produced three drawn games with a comeback by Owen Secker’s Connaught triple ultimately proving to be the deciding factor in Attleborough. In the first half Chris Musk, Joe Li-Rocchi & Sylvia Parsons faced England player David Lamb’s triple with a tight game finishing level at 13-13 after Sylvia Parsons’ triple took two shots on the final end. On the other mat Di Quadling, Dave Quadling & Owen Secker found themselves trailing 4-0 after three ends before the home triple moved up a gear against Norfolk Premier regular Keith Cooke and his triple. Secker’s 12-8 win left Connaught 3-1 up on points and four shots ahead at the interval. After the break the drama continued unabated as Diana Adcock, Tyrone Musk & Sheila Bragg of Connaught faced young teenage sensation Josh Baxter. The young Bradwell skip was quick off the mark and led 4-0 after two ends before Bragg’s triple hit back with a vengeance to lead 10-4 after eight ends. Baxter’s triple held their nerve though and with one end remaining Sheila Bragg’s triple led by just one shot. A single shot for Baxter earned his triple a 13-13 draw. In the remaining game Connaught’s Peter King, Steve Hall & Bill Adcock found themselves in another tense battle against Bradwell’s John Sargent’s triple. Peter King put in a valuable shift at lead for the home side to help keep them in the game and on the final end Sargent took shot with his last bowl to level the game at 11-11. With the match standing at 5-3 on points in Connaught’s favour home skip Bill Adcock wisely decided not to play his last wood and his team celebrated victory after one of the best cup ties in years.    

 

Hempnall’s Kirby Bedon misery continues

Defending Tens League champions Hempnall suffered home and away defeats against Kirby Bedon last season and their visit this season to Kirby Bedon saw a first half collapse that sealed their fate once again. Jill Watson, Janice Hewitt & Phil Watson were in top form as they hammered Joan Cann, Bernie Cudden & Paul Baker by 30-5 and with shots counting for everything in this league that was a massive blow to Hempnall’s hopes. On the other mat a 16-12 win for Peter Johnson & Gerald Chilvers against Roger Parker & Neil Davidson gave Kirby Bedon a 46-17 lead at the interval. A tight second half ensured that the home side took a maximum 4-0 points win as Shirley & Joe Brown drew 17-17 with Colin Stevenson & Chris Mann while Hempnall’s Mick Pearce, Richard Harrowing & Jon Sparham narrowly beat Jimmy Dye’s triple 14-12. Title chasing Bob Carter won 3-0 at Hevingham thanks to a 22-6 win for Frank Edy, Kim Bridge & Nigel Willard against David Sharpe’s triple. Carter’s Jason & Melvyn Woods won 13-10 against Rex Cox & Maurice Kemp while Jean Woods & Trevor Brown held home pair Ian McLean & George Clarke to a 12-12 draw. Hevingham’s sole win was earned by Gill Bunn, John Richardson & Alan Bunn who beat Rob Howlett’s triple 18-9.

 

East Tuddenham through to Bure Cup Quarter-Finals

After winning their Bure Cup first leg tie 13-11 at Horsford BC the second leg proved to be comfortable for East Tuddenham as they eased their way to a 28-16 aggregate win. Chris Mann’s triple won all three of their games as did John Turner’s triple with Horsford BC conceding with a session to go.

Both Norfolk teams flying high at Lakeside

Norfolk Premier & Norfolk “A” continued their impressive I.C.C form as they both celebrated victory at Lakeside. Norfolk Premier made it four wins out of four as they hammered visitors Surrey Premier 35-5 on points, 212-144 on shots, with a revamped side turning on the style. County captain Trevor Brown of Carter was in unstoppable form as he collected wins of 25-7 & 19-3 in the singles while recently crowned European Masters champion Chris Mann of Wymondham added wins of 14-11 & 13-8. Maximum points were also collected in the triples as George Clarke, John Turner & Melvin Woods won 13-8 & 11-9 and Kim Bridge, Debbie Phillips & Keith Cooke won 12-11 & 13-9. Not to be outdone the fours also won all their games with Robbie Lamb, Andrew Stratton, Phil Watson & David Lamb winning 11-7 & 13-7 and Jean Woods, Brian Saunders, Bob Oatway & Jon Sparham winning 10-4 & 8-4. Manager Selwyn Goldsmith handed 15 year old Morgan Warnes and 18 year old Josh Baxter a Premier team debut in the pairs and they impressed with an 11-11 draw and a 15-14 win, superb results for probably the youngest Premier team pairing in the country. Nigel Willard & Jack Barrett opened with a 17-15 win but suffered the only Premier defeat of the day going down 7-16 in their last game. Norfolk “A” completed a double over neighbours Cambridgeshire with a heavy 27-13 win on points, 190-148 on shots, after a sticky start. Hempnall’s Neil Davidson was in fantastic form in the singles beating Tony Kent 19-9 and ex England player Joe Peters by 18-3 while Connaught’s Sheila Bragg added a 17-12 win against Tony Kent after losing her opening game to Joe Peters. The opening pairs games were lost but after the break Jenny Walker & Elaine Cole won 15-12 and Steven Lamb & Robin Amos won 14-8. Debbie Barrett, Melvyn Barker & David Dewing produced a win and a draw in the triples while Joan Costello, Gerald Chilvers & Colin Coman won 13-6 before losing their second game by just one shot. Maureen Munford, John Poynter, Les Chadwick & George Munford won both their rink’s games by 13-6 & 12-7 while Margaret Reynolds, Elaine Oatway, Elaine Cole & Malcolm Reynolds won their first game by 8-7. Norfolk’s next games are on Sunday 1^st December when Norfolk Premier entertain Northants and Norfolk “A” face Suffolk.    

                                                                                                                                        Posted 10-11-13

Chris Mann & Trevor Brown collected maximum points against Surrey in the singles at Lakeside

A scene from today's double header against Surrey Premier & Cambs 

Bure Pairs heats see holders eliminated

The qualifying heats of the Bure Pairs Championships took place with defending champions Maurice Kemp & George Clarke of Hevingham playing at Anglian Windows. They started well with a 7-4 win against Ron Elliott & Dennis Lynes of Woodbastwick and followed up with a 10-5 win against Piero Cognetti & Paul Isgate of Horsford BC to put themselves in the driving seat. Cromer’s Pat Hall & Richard Airs opened with a 6-2 win against the Woodbastwick pair. The surprise result in the first session was a 9-5 win for the Horsford BC pair against Jan Hewitt & Selwyn Goldsmith of Kirby Bedon with the Kirby pair struggling to find any semblance of form. The Kirby pair showed gradual improvement with a tight 6-4 win against Cromer in the second session and followed that with a 7-5 win against Woodbastwick in the third session. After the interval Cromer’s Pat Hall & Richard Airs kept in contention with a 7-3 win against Horsford BC. The big result was on mat two where the Kirby Bedon pair finally hit good form beating defending champions Maurice Kemp & George Clarke 11-1 in what proved to be a decisive victory after taking five shots on the opening end. In the final session Kemp & Clarke faced the Cromer pair. To finish first in the heat the Cromer pair needed to win by five shots while Kemp & Clarke needed to win by twelve clear shots. Neither happened though as a tight match developed that finished in a 4-3 win for Airs & Hall that earned them second place behind Hewitt & Goldsmith of Kirby Bedon with a six points total that would prove to be enough to see them through to the finals night. The Kirby Bedon heat saw two Halvergate pairs in action, the seeded pairing of Josh Baxter & David Lamb and Ray & Steven Lamb. The first session saw Andy Drummie & Mick Dale of Horsford Heroes produce a 9-4 win against Ray & Steven Lamb of Halvergate while Jenny Walker & John Jarvis of Thorpe Marriott drew 4-4 with East Tuddenham’s Geraldine & Gerald Potter. Baxter & Lamb, last season’s Bure Pairs runners-up, began with a 5-3 win against Drummie & Dale while the Thorpe Marriott pair beat Ray & Steven Lamb by 8-7. The last session before the break saw Baxter & Lamb brush aside East Tuddenham with a 14-3 win while Thorpe Marriott put Horsford Heroes out of the running by beating them 6-3. The fourth session saw Baxter & Lamb, with two wins under their belts, facing the Thorpe Marriott pair who had two wins and a draw so far. The Halvergate pair proved too hot to handle though and made it three straight wins with a 12-2 victory. The other Halvergate pair, Ray & Steven Lamb, were not having a good night as they slumped to their third successive defeat against Geraldine & Gerald Potter by 7-3. The final session saw Josh Baxter & David Lamb continue to dominate proceedings as they hammered their fellow Halvergate pairing by 14-4 to finish as heat winners with maximum points. The Potters of East Tuddenham beat Horsford’s Drummie & Dale to finish on five points, the same total as Thorpe Marriott. With both Thorpe Marriott & East Tuddenham level on five points, and also level on shot difference on minus 6, shots for were used to determine second place which went to Marriott with 20 shots for against Tuddenham’s 19 shots for. This would eventually earn them a finals night place as the third best runners-up. Linda & Les Chadwick of East Tuddenham were the seeded pair at the Thorpe Marriott heat but the crucial result of the night proved to be the first session 8-3 win for Kirby Bedon’s Jimmy Dye & Gerald Chilvers against Avril Walker & Mike Boswell of Anglian Windows though they did not know it at the time. Hevingham’s Betty & Rex Cox drew 8-8 with Coltishall’s Maureen & George Munford in the other first session game. The seeded East Tuddenham pair opened well with a 7-5 win against Betty & Rex Cox while the Anglian Windows pair got on track with a 5-4 win against the Munfords in the second session. The last session before the break saw Avril Walker & Mike Boswell power to an 11-5 win against the Hevingham pair while the Chadwicks made it two wins from two games beating the Kirby Bedon pair 7-4. After the break the Chadwicks lost their unbeaten record going down 4-3 to Walker & Boswell while the Kirby Bedon pair returned to winning ways beating Coltishall 8-7. With one session remaining Anglian Windows had finished all their games and were on six points and plus three shots while both Kirby Bedon & East Tuddenham were on four points with a game to play. The Chadwick’s of East Tuddenham saw their chances disappear as they went down 7-4 to the Munfords of Coltishall who were already out of contention regardless of the result. The Kirby Bedon pair beat Hevingham by 4-3 in a low scoring game to finish level on points with Anglian Windows but with crucially a plus shots difference of four, just one more than Avril Walker & Mike Boswell. The Windows pair were left hoping that their six points and plus 3 shots tally would be enough to earn them a place in the final as a best runner-up and so it did. At the Coltishall heat Halvergate’s Keith Cooke & Robbie Lamb ripped through the opposition taking maximum points and an impressive plus 25 shots. They opened with an 11-1 win against Cromer’s Jane James & John Andreae, followed that with two shot wins against Eddie Hayward & David Sharpe of Hevingham and Gillian & Robin Amos of East Tuddenham, and finished in style beating Derek Sheldrake & Jim Couling of Woodbastwick by 12-1. The Cromer pair finished second but with four points and a minus two shots total they knew they stood little chance of progressing to finals night. Val & Richard Perkins of Thorpe Marriott won the Woodbastwick heat with a session to spare. A 9-0 win against Christine & Peter Warnes of Horsford BC got the Perkins off the mark and a 7-5 win against Coltishall’s Roly Sargent & Peter Barnett and a 9-4 win against Sue & Peter Fox of Horsford Heroes left them on six points with a session to go. With all the other four pairs having already dropped three points or more the Thorpe Marriott pair was now certain of first place whatever happened in the last session. Christine & Peter Warnes finished second on five points which proved insufficient to see them through.

The eight Bure Pairs Finals Night qualifiers are;

Heat winners. Josh Baxter & David Lamb of Halvergate. Keith Cooke & Robbie Lamb of Halvergate. Jimmy Dye & Gerald Chilvers of Kirby Bedon. Janice Hewitt & Selwyn Goldsmith of Kirby Bedon. Val & Richard Perkins of Thorpe Marriott. Best Runners-up. Avril Walker & Mike Boswell of Anglian Windows. Pat Hall & Richard Airs of Cromer. Jenny Walker & John Jarvis of Thorpe Marriott.

Bradwell teams take early lead in Coastal League

After playing six games each Bradwell Red & Bradwell Blue are the early pacemakers in the Coastal League. Bradwell Red top the table despite losing 12-6 against Bradwell Blue with a 12-6 away win at South Walsham certainly helping. Woodbastwick Eagles got revenge for their early season 11-7 home defeat against South Walsham by beating them 13-5 in the return match. Woodbastwick Owls remain unbeaten after a 12-6 home win against Hemsby.

Saxlingham top of the South Norfolk League

With Hempnall the dominant force in the South Norfolk League its odd to see any other team lead the table. Early in the season though anything is possible and with Hempnall having played just two matches so far Saxlingham Nethergate top the table after three wins and one defeat. A 7-3 home win for Saxlingham against Hingham moved them eight points clear of second placed Hempnall. Wreningham visited Connaught with one player short and went down 8-2 as Sheila Bragg’s triple took full advantage of playing against a triple with a player missing by winning 30-3. Connaught lost 8-2 at Hingham.

                                                                                                                                                                  Posted 5-11-13

 

Clarke, Chilvers, Watson & Goldsmith win County Fours

The Norfolk County Fours Championships were held at Lakeside with the experienced rink of Thorpe Marriott’s George Clarke and Gerald Chilvers, Phil Watson & Selwyn Goldsmith of Kirby Bedon winning all their games to lift the title. In the final they faced Wymondham’s Pat Saunders, Brian Saunders, Debbie Phillips & Jon Sparham who started well to lead 3-0 after two ends. Goldsmith’s rink hit back with a three on the third end before a single put the Wymondham rink in front again. After that Goldsmith’s rink did not concede another shot as they finished 10-4 winners. It was Selwyn Goldsmith’s sixth Norfolk County Fours Championship title, the fifth for Phil Watson & George Clarke and Gerald Chilvers’ third.  In the semi-finals Jon Sparham’s rink displayed excellent form beating Jason Woods, Rob Howlett & Melvyn Woods of Carter with East Tuddenham’s John Turner by 8-3 with Sparham’s rink only losing one end when they dropped three on the second end. In the other semi-final Selwyn Goldsmith’s rink beat Sheila Redwood, Ted Redwood & Trevor Pinchen of Thorpe Marriott with Sprowston’s Peter Smart by 11-8. Peter Smart’s four got off to a brilliant start taking four shots on the first end before Goldsmith’s rink clawed their way back into the game. The third place play-off saw John Turner’s rink beat Peter Smart’s rink by 7-3. Defending champions Neil Davidson, Nigel Willard & Trevor Brown, this year playing with Jean Woods at lead, lost their opening group one game by one shot against Selwyn Goldsmith’s rink and saw their problems mount after being held to a draw by Simon Warnes’ rink. Brown’s four eventually made it through their group in second place on shots after Goldsmith’s rink inflicted a heavy defeat on Simon Warnes. Peter Smart’s rink won group two with maximum points with Jon Sparham’s rink in second place. John Turner’s rink won group three with maximum points with Mark Linsdell’s rink in second place. The preliminary round saw Trevor Brown’s rink beaten 14-3 by Jon Sparham’s rink while Peter Smart beat Mark Linsdell 7-1. The much fancied rink of Josh Baxter, Jack Barrett, recent European Masters winner Chris Mann & England’s David Lamb failed to make it through the group stages. The National Fours Finals await for the successful rinks who will represent Norfolk at the Church Gresley Indoor Bowls Club in Derbyshire on Saturday 5^th April.

                                                                                                                                                                             Posted 3-11-13

Phil Watson, Selwyn Goldsmith, George Clarke & Gerald Chilvers

Norfolk County Fours Champions

Brian Saunders, Pat Saunders, Jon Sparham & Debbie Phillips

Norfolk County Fours Runners-Up

Wymondham drop home points

Defending Breckland League champions accumulated 107 shots at home to Forncett as Mikey George, Chris Mann & Jon Sparham won by a massive 45-4 margin against D Rumsby’s triple but new captain Melvyn Barker will be disappointed to have dropped two home points in an 8-2 win. Billie Barker, Melvyn Barker & Jack Barrett looked on their way to a predictable win against Forncett’s M Marlow, M Smaille & L Preece as they moved into an 8-1 lead after just four ends. Then they had the shock of their lives as the Forncett triple, two of them playing their first ever competitive game, stormed back to win the next six ends and lead 18-8. By the finish the Forncett triple had maintained their ten shot lead winning by 24-14. Pat Saunders, Mary Fisher & Debbie Phillips added a big 31-5 win for Wymondham and Brian Saunders’ triple won 17-14. In Wymondham’s next game, at home to the much improved Carleton Rode side, they came close to suffering a shock defeat that would have been their first at home in over four years but emerged with a narrow 6-4 win. J Davidson, T Taylor & T Newby roared into a 17-5 lead against Jack Barrett’s triple but eleven shots over the last four ends cut the deficit to 17-16. A good first half for Carleton Rode was completed as D Robson, R Davidson & Neil Davidson beat Brian Saunders’ triple 19-9. After the break the visitors kept up the pressure as Will Hoggan’s triple moved 10-2 up after nine ends against Hayley Stratton, Mikey George & Chris Mann. Carleton thought the game was won until a brilliant last bowl by Chris Mann rounded off a great comeback to earn a 13-12 win. The only comfortable home win of the night was produced by Abbey Jackson, Andrew Stratton & Debbie Phillips who won 28-5. Forncett lost 8-2 away to Connaught “B” where D Liles’ triple beat L Preece’s triple 19-10. Last season’s runners-up Connaught “A” suffered a surprise 6-4 defeat at Harling “B” where two former Norfolk players went down heavily. I Smith, H Hemstock & K Clarke beat Bill Adcock’s triple 25-4 and M Muggeridge, G Cody & B Setford beat Lee Fallows’ triple 25-10. Connaught’s four points were earned by Owen Secker’s triple with a 23-12 win and Sylvia Parsons with a 16-13 win. Harling “A” also won at home beating Connaught “B” 8-2. R Baker, M Baker & P Dennis led the way winning 29-9. Hingham Green won 8-2 at home to Harling “A” with P Roache, Jan Higgs & John Higgs winning 23-4. 

Musk & Parsons stun Coltishall

Connaught won by one shot at Coltishall for a 2-0 points win after a stunning performance by Chris Musk & Sylvia Parsons in the pairs. Coltishall built up a 13 shot first half lead as Roly Sargent & Margaret Harman beat Ty Musk & Bob Oatway 21-14 and Peter Barnett’s triple beat Bill Adcock’s triple 14-8. After the break Les Harman’s triple added a 13-11 win for Coltishall in the triples but it all went wrong for them in the remaining pairs game. Chris Musk & Sylvia Parsons were in excellent form for Connaught as they beat Maureen & George Munford 24-8 to snatch victory for their team.

Halvergate through in Bure Cup

Halvergate moved into the next round of the Bure Cup at the expense of Hevingham after winning the away leg 15-9 to complete a 31-17 aggregate win. J Smith, Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke led the way with wins of 11-3, 5-4 & 8-2. They now face cup holders Kirby Bedon in the next round.

                                                                                                                                                              Posted 30-10-13

Chris Mann is the new SMPT European Masters Champion

The news from Belgium is that Wymondham & Norfolk ace Chris Mann has won the SMPT European Masters title and a £500 first prize after a sensational last end win against Ireland’s Cecil Dillon. He ditched the jack with his opening bowl to win in great style. Chris Mann beat Belgium’s Lucien Smeers 17-8 in the semi-final after beating defending champion Jonathan Payne of Belgium 12-6 in the quarter-finals. He breezed through the last 16 stage with a 14-6 win against Sweden’s Joel Hager and is assured of a warm welcome back in Norfolk. Well done Chris on behalf of the NCSMBA, you have done your county proud!

Chris Mann pictured with the European Master's trophy and winner's medal.

Norfolk Over 60s Select v England Under 21s

It was the beginning of a new era for the England Under 21s side as they visited Lakeside to play their first match under newly appointed manager Brian Claessen against a Norfolk Over 60s Select managed by Teresa Goldsmith. There was plenty of support on hand for all the young players who had travelled from all parts of the country for the match. Five young Norfolk players, Jack Barrett, Josh Baxter, Morgan Warnes, Mark Linsdell & Ryan Fox all made their debut for England and looked impressive. Experience told in the end as Norfolk ran out 34-18 winners on points with Elaine Oatway, Geoff Payne, Bob Oatway & Melvin Woods winning both their rinks games by 10-6 & 11-3. Roger Steele, Geoff Payne & Bob Oatway won their triples games by 10-7 & 13-4, Elaine Oatway, George Clarke & John Turner won 11-4 & 12-6 and Doreen Stearman, Robin Amos & Melvin Woods won by 12-4 & 16-6. In the pairs Kerry Greenacre & Selwyn Goldsmith won by 17-3 & 14-6 while Pauline Wilson & Jock Pollock won both their games by 13-9. Presentations were made to both Brian Claessen & Teresa Goldsmith while ESMBA President George Clarke also spoke at the opening line-up before the match. 
                                                                                                                       Posted 27-10-13

England Under 21s at Lakeside

(see if you can spot the Norfolk Over 60s player who guested as they were one player short!)

Norfolk Over 60s Organisor Teresa Goldsmith with ESMBA President George Clarke and new England Under 21s Manager Brian Claessen

Teresa Goldsmith who arranged the match

First match for Claessen’s England Under 21s team

The newly appointed England Under 21’s manager Brian Claessen has the first chance to see his team in action this Saturday when they visit Lakeside Country Club in Lyng, Norfolk to play a Norfolk Over 60’s Select side under the management of Teresa Goldsmith. Twenty-two players have been named in the England Team following recent trials and five of them are Norfolk based. Jack Barrett of Wymondham is currently skipping for Norfolk Premier and already has acquired a wealth of experience in the sport. Morgan Warnes & Josh Baxter are unbeaten for Norfolk “A” this season in I.C.C “A Team” action while Josh swept all before him in last season’s Norfolk County Championships. Wymondham’s Mark Linsdell, while playing in Selwyn Goldsmith’s rink, made it through to the semi-finals of last season’s National Mixed Fours championships in Bromsgrove. The fifth Norfolk bowler, Halvergate’s Ryan Fox, is the son of England international David Lamb and is the least experienced of the five but he should learn much from the experience. The action starts at 10am.   

Jack Barrett, Morgan Warnes & Josh Baxter on England duty at Lakeside on Saturday

National Championships to be held in Derbyshire

The ESMBA has finally announced the venue for the 2014 National Championships. They will take place at the Church Gresley Indoor Bowls Club, Gresley Old Hall, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 9QW. After just one year at Bromsgrove IBC, recently announced as the home venue of the SMPT, the venue has moved again. For a while the Nationals were held at Kempston IBC after the costs of hiring the sports hall at Kettering Leisure Centre became too high. Prior to that they were held in Birmingham. Full details can be found on the County/National Dates page on this site. The Centre is located in the middle of the 30 acre Gresley Old Hall Site and has the benefit of a large free car park which should mean that problems experienced by some bowlers at last season's National Fours Championship should not be repeated this time around. According to Church Gresley's web-site they have  "a spacious and well furnished lounge bar and viewing area that overlooks the bowling lanes."

                                                                                                                                                Posted 24-10-13

Church Gresley Indoor Bowls Club

The bar area at Church Gresley IBC

Fall prompts warning

A fall suffered by a short mat bowler has prompted a warning to clubs to take care with a trip hazard related to the handles of bowls mat covers. The players foot got caught in the handle of the mat cover which was hanging downwards causing the club member to fall onto concrete in their club's storage cupboard. For safety sake clubs are advised to make sure that the carrying handles are not left in a position where they can constitute a trip hazard to players walking past them.

                                                                       

                                                                 DANGER Handles of bowls covers can cause a trip hazard!

So close in Cambs for Over 60s!

Norfolk Over 60s Eastern England Over 60s league match away to Cambridgeshire in Manea finished all square on points at 16-16 but Cambs 211 shots to Norfolk’s 206 earned them the two bonus points for an 18-16 victory. Wendy Tweed, Graham Tweed & John Jarvis picked up wins of 13-8 & 16-10 while Shirley & Joe Brown collected wins of 22-8 & 19-10 in two high scoring pairs games. As the teams traded shot for shot throughout this tight game all four sessions were shared at 4-4 on points in an exciting encounter.

Early action in Norfolk’s leagues & cups

Tens League giants Bob Carter travelled to league new-boys Halvergate and remained unbeaten after a 2-0 win. Frank Edy & Melvin Woods gave the visitors a good start beating Morgan Warnes & Josh Baxter 12-9 while Robert Howlett’s triple held Simon Warnes’ Halvergate triple to a 16-16 draw. Jean Woods & Trevor Brown inflicted the fatal damage for Carter with a 17-9 pairs win against Ray & Robbie Lamb but David Lamb’s triple scored a consolation win of 15-9 against Nigel Willard’s triple. Bradwell won 2-0 at home to Connaught with John Sargent & Mike Harvey beating Ty Musk & Bob Oatway 16-9. Kerry Greenacre & Allan Collins weighed in with a 14-11 win against Chris Musk & Sylvia Parsons while Keith Cooke’s triple beat Bill Adcock 11-8. Gordon Wilcox’s triple collected Connaught’s only win beating Derek Humpreys’ triple 19-15. Hevingham beat old rivals Coltishall 3-0 with David Sharpe’s triple winning 20-7 against George Munford. Watton progressed through to the next round of the Norwich Cup after a comfortable 12-4 win at Connaught “B”. Bryan Dibble & Roger Braham won their pairs games by 13-1 & 9-4 while Eddie Bebee, R Adams & John Hunter won their games by 14-4 & 9-7. In the Bure Cup East Tuddenham won 13-11 at Horsford BC in their first leg encounter. Linda Chadwick, Les Chadwick & Peter Smart led the way with wins of 17-1, 9-5 & 10-1. The Bure League’s defending champions, Halvergate, were held to a 5-5 draw at Horsford Heroes. Roger Frank’s triple beat Josh Baxter’s triple 15-11 & Keith Chapman’s triple beat Keith Cooke 13-12 for Horsford while David Lamb’s Halvergate triple replied with a big 20-4 win against Vic Webster. Horsford’s Peter Fox drew 12-12 with Halvergate’s Robbie Lamb. Horsford Heroes did better at East Tuddenham where they pulled off a 6-4 away win. Mark “The Marvel” Tuttle beat Robin Amos 16-12 while Lyn Frank, Chris Woodhouse & Keith Chapman roared to a 24-8 win against Russell Flint, Madge Meachen & Russell Harris. Tuddenham’s wins were earned by John Turner & Chris Mann. East Tuddenham had won their previous match 10-0 at Anglian Windows where Geraldine Potter, Gerald Potter & Chris Mann had won 34-3 and Peter Smart’s triple had won 19-6. Kirby Bedon won 6-4 at home to Thorpe Marriott where Gerald Chilvers beat Tony Turner 27-2 and Phil Watson beat Bob McPherson 21-8. Marriott’s wins were earned by Marjorie Hall who beat Brian Saunders 17-9 and Sylvia Turner who beat Jimmy Dye 23-7. In the City of Norwich League RG Carter made it four out of four wins after winning 14-0 at home to Horsford Heroes and 11-3 at Deaf Sports. Horsford BC moved into second place with a 12-2 home win against Deaf Sports, their third win of the campaign. First Bus also made it three out of three wins winning 12-2 at Taverham. Saxlingham top the South Norfolk League after two 8-2 victories. A 22-9 win for J Torbitt’s triple against Vic Webster was their biggest win at Horsford Heroes while P Meale, S Hook & Geoff Briggs won 26-7 against Margaret Hunter’s triple in their home win against Watton. Defending champions Hempnall, hot favourites for the title once again, won 9-1 at home to Wreningham but will regard it as a point dropped. Richard Harrowing’s triple beat Karl Bunn 22-7 in their biggest win of the night but Paul Baker’s triple had to settle for a 10-10 draw against ex Langley player Mervyn Blaza and his triple. Early season Coastal League results saw South Walsham win 11-7 at Woodbastwick Eagles and also draw 9-9 at Martham. Bradwell Red hammered Bradwell Blue 16-2 in their local derby but lost 10-8 at Hemsby. Woodbastwick Owls were held to a 9-9 draw at home to Bradwell Blue. A busy start to the Breckland League season for Watton saw them move top of the table after playing four games while most of the other teams have only played once or twice so far. They opened the season successfully with an 8-2 home win against Connaught “B” with R Harvey, J Bebee & Margaret Hunter beating G Wilcox’s triple 22-6. Three days later Watton went down 8-2 at Carleton Rode where home triple J Davidson, T Taylor & T Newby won 25-11 against M Dibble. Just two days later Watton were at Harling “A” where they again lost 8-2. R Baker, M Tarrant & M Baker top scored for Harling “A” with a 23-13 win. Two days later Watton entertained Hingham Green and scored a 6-4 win with J Capell, R Harvey & John Hunter winning 37-8 against N Thorpe’s triple. Defending champions Wymondham opened with a 10-0 away win at Banham with Jon Sparham’s triple winning 24-13, Jack Barrett’s triple winning 20-8, Chris Mann’s triple winning 20-9 and Andrew Stratton’s triple winning 14-12. Banham won 8-2 at Harling “B” with V Footer, E McAnulty & J Delaney winning 21-10.     

 

All Wymondham final in Keith Banks Triples

Fifteen triples contested the Keith Banks Triples held at Hingham. The competition was held in three groups of five triples with the winners of each group, and the best runner-up, qualifying for the semi-finals. Winners of Group 1 were Connaught’s Bill Adcock, Di Quadling & Dave Quadling. Group 2 winners were Wymondham’s Roger Steele, Mary Fisher & Chris Mann. Wymondham’s Pat Saunders, Brian Saunders & Jon Sparham won Group 3. The best runner-up triple was C Powell, B Lister & Jane Frary of Hingham. In the semi-finals Chris Mann beat Jane Frary 18-2 and Jon Sparham beat Dave Quadling 8-5 to produce an all Wymondham final. Chris Mann’s triple lifted the trophy winning a close final by just 8-7. Hingham was thanked for hosting the event and thanks were also given to Roy & Jenny Potton for the catering. 

                                                                                                                  Posted 23-10-13

Billy Ocean to top bill at Potters “East Coast Triples”

Potters Leisure Resort have announced that international singing star Billy Ocean has been booked to perform in the Atlas Theatre on the first night of their “East Coast Over 45’s Triples & Pairs” short mat bowls break. Billy Ocean is regarded as the most popular British based R & B singer-songwriter of the early 1980s. As well as having a string of UK top 20 hits he also scored three U.S number one hits. He won a Grammy Award for “Best Male R & B Vocal Performance” in 1985 for his worldwide smash hit “Caribbean Queen.” His other hits included “Love Really Hurts Without You”, “When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going”, “Love Is Forever” & “There’ll Be Sad Songs.” Details of the Potters Short Mat Bowls Breaks which are available at very special prices are available on this website by clicking on “Open Competitions."

Norfolk “A” complete superb I.C.C weekend

Norfolk “A” visited Cambridgeshire at their new county venue March I.B.C and stormed to a fabulous 28-12 win to complete a brilliant weekend for Norfolk’s two I.C.C teams. Eight out of the ten points in the rinks came Norfolk’s way. A new look rink of Elaine Oatway, Melvyn Barker, Gerald Chilvers & Ty Musk produced some fabulous bowls as they won their first game 11-7 and their second game 11-6. Elaine Oatway was in great form pulling off some perfect running bowls. Ian Mills, Rob Cranston, Ray Lamb & Les Chadwick were disappointed to lose their opening game 11-9 despite playing well but beat Tony Hart’s rink 15-2 in their second game. The two young sensations of Norfolk “A”, Morgan Warnes & Josh Baxter, remain unbeaten after three matches. They had to settle for a 10-10 draw against the Ward-Fox pairing after a great final bowl by the Cambs skip earned the draw. In their second game they faced the impressive young Cambs skip Robert Spriggs. The game was a delight to watch and with the game level at 12-12 with an end to play it was no surprise that most eyes were focused on this encounter. With both skips having just one bowl left to play Norfolk held shot and looked almost certain to win. Then Robert Spriggs played a superb forehand to take shot piling the pressure on Josh Baxter. Cool as a cucumber Baxter replied with an even better forehand to take shot and the game by 13-12. The pairing of Chris Musk & Mike Boswell slumped to a disappointing 25-6 defeat against Robert Spriggs’ pair in the first half but with Joan Costello substituting at lead Boswell won his second game 16-11. Sheila Redwood, Ted Redwood & Simon Warnes took maximum points winning their triples games by 10-6 & a massive 21-3 while Andrew Jackson, Graham Tweed & John Jarvis won their opening game 14-5. Rising from his sickbed Neil Davidson defeated Tony Kent 16-8 in the first session and led Joe Peters 13-9 with one end remaining in his second game and will be disappointed to have then conceded a full house and draw 13-13. Never-the-less a brave showing by Davidson. Sheila Bragg won her opener 13-7 against Joe Peters but lost 14-10 against Tony Kent. The support from the side was an important factor in Norfolk’s favour as the players loudly supported each other. Before the match Norfolk’s Andrew Jackson & Morgan Warnes were presented with plaques to mark them having each now played three matches for Norfolk.

                                                                                                                                           Posted 20-10-13     

Cambs captain Joe Peters & Norfolk's Neil Davidson after their 13-13 draw

Norfolk Pair Morgan Warnes & Josh Baxter discuss the next shot

Talented Cambs bowler Robert Spriggs impressed throughout

Simon Warnes, Sheila & Ted Redwood - wins of 21-3 & 10-6against Cambs

Cambs umpire Roly Fincham decides the shot

Joe Peters of Cambs presents plaque to Andrew Jackson marking his third game for Norfolk

Morgan receives her plaque from Joe Peters

Norfolk Premier win at Wey Valley

Norfolk Premier won third I.C.C match in a row as they defeated Surrey Premier 25-15 at Wey Valley I.B.C in Guildford. Norfolk enjoyed a dream start as they won all four opening games on their first ever visit to the venue. Wymondham’s Chris Mann stormed to a 17-7 win while Carter’s Trevor Brown won 15-12. Robin Amos & Jack Barrett trailed 14-9 with four ends to go but won all the remaining ends for a superb 16-14 result. Steven & David Lamb led throughout their game to record a heavy 14-6 win. Surrey hit back in the first triples & fours session with only Kim Bridge, Debbie Phillips & Keith Cooke adding to Norfolk’s total with a 9-9 draw. Back came the singles & pairs but this time the points were shared with Robin Amos & Jack Barrett winning again, this time by 16-9, and captain Trevor Brown winning his second game of the day by 17-11. The final session saw Norfolk dig deep and put Surrey to the sword. Robbie Lamb, Andrew Stratton, Phil Watson & Selwyn Goldsmith won 16-6 while Jean Woods, Bob Oatway, Brian Saunders & Jon Sparham won 14-8. In the triples Kim Bridge, Debbie Phillips & Keith Cooke won 10-8 leaving Surrey winning just the remaining triples game. With Norfolk also picking up the bonus points in the singles, pairs & fours they were able to enjoy their long trip back from Surrey. 

                                                                                                                                                      19-10-13

Norfolk Premier celebrate victory in Northants

Norfolk Premier pulled off a 23-17 away win against Northants in the Inter-County Championships to remain unbeaten as the triples led the way taking  maximum points. The new look triple of George Clarke, John Turner & Melvin Woods won their games by 16-8 & 11-7 while Michael Savage, Debbie Phillips & Keith Cooke opened with a remarkable 17-0 win and followed it up with a 13-4 win. Manager Selwyn Goldsmith’s decision to play Wymondham’s Chris Mann in the singles paid off as he beat internationals Edward Sawbridge & Leigh Hall by 15-11 & 12-10. Mann’s first bowl on the final end against Hall ditched the jack and brought huge cheers form the Norfolk team. Although Carter’s Trevor Brown lost to both Sawbridge & Hall he pulled back shots in both games to enable the singles to share the bonus points. Halvergate’s Steven & David Lamb won their opening game 18-8 but lost their second 16-8. Nigel Willard & Jack Barrett were unlucky to lose their first game 11-10 but a 20-9 win in their second game earned the bonus points in the pairs. Robbie Lamb, Andrew Stratton, Phil Watson & Selwyn Goldsmith beat Alan Goodenough’s rink 8-3 but slipped to a 9-7 defeat in their second game after a poor final end. Jon Sparham’s rink had little joy going down 14-3 & 10-6 but overall it was a good day at the office for Norfolk Premier who now face a long trip to play Surrey Premier in their next match.

Tony Frost Rest in Peace

The N.C.S.M.B.A is saddened to learn of the sudden death of Tony Frost of Thorpe Marriott SMBC on Saturday. Tony was a long time member of the club and a former Norfolk County Squad bowler. I always found Tony to be one of the most consistent  draw players in the sport. He will be greatly missed on the short mat bowls scene. We wish to express our condolences to his wife Kath. Details of the funeral arrangements will be posted here when they are known. A minutes silence was held before the start of the Northants Premier v Norfolk Premier match in memory of Tony. The funeral will be held on Thursday 24th October at St Faiths at 11am. Family flowers only please. Donations should be made to Quidenham Hospice. It will be a humanist funeral in celebration of Tony's life. No black ties please. After the funeral family and friends will meet at the Lighthouse Inn, Walcott.
                                                                                                                                           Posted 13-10-13

Carter looking set for another great season

Bob Carter cleared the first hurdle in the Norwich Cup winning 10-6 at Hingham. Sue Hunt, Malcolm Reynolds & Nigel Willard picked up maximum points in the triples with an opening 9-8 result against C Short’s triple followed by a 13-0 win against E Herbert’s triple. Jean Woods & Trevor Brown also scored a double in the pairs with wins of 14-1 & 13-6. Forncett enjoyed a great start at home to Bradwell winning all four first half games. Maximum points were collected by J Rumsby & D Rumsby in the pairs and E Coleman, D Girling & L Preece in the triples as Forncett reached the next round with a 12-4 win. Horsford Heroes entertained Coltishall and with one session remaining the points were level at 6-6 but Horsford led by two shots. The last session was shared as Mally Kemp & Keith Chapman won for the Heroes and Carol & John Aggas won for Coltishall but the excellent 14-6 win for the Aggas pairing clinched a two shot win for the visitors. In the Norfolk County Cup, holders Bob Carter Centre powered their way into the next round against Hingham. With home advantage on their fast Verde mats, and a team rated the number one club side in the county, the result was never in doubt. Carter racked up a total of 97 shots while conceding just 27. John Turner’s triple won 35-3, Trevor Brown won 22-6, Robert Howlett won 23-9 while Melvin Woods’ triple picked up a 17-9 win. In the Bure Cup Coltishall beat Thorpe Marriott 14-10 in the first leg of their tie leaving the match nicely balanced for the return leg at Marriott. John Aggas, Peter Barnett & Les Harman all skipped their triples to two out of three wins for Coltishall while Tony Turner & Kath Frost did likewise for the visitors. Early Tens League results have left Bob Carter with maximum points from their two opening games against Kirby Bedon. In the match at Drayton a twelve shot win for Frank Edy, Jamie Forster & Robert Howlett proved to be Carter’s biggest win while at Kirby Bedon, in the return match, Jean Woods & Trevor Brown top scored with an 18-7 win in the pairs. Kirby Bedon collected their first points of the season by beating Halvergate 3-0. The crucial result came in the triples where Peter Johnson, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown beat England international David Lamb and his triple by 19-4. Bure League action saw Kirby Bedon win 8-2 at home to Horsford Heroes with Janice Hewitt, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown winning 24-4 against D Foster’s triple while Mark “The Marvel” Tuttle and his triple earned Horsford Heroes their only win of the night. Kirby Bedon were less successful at Halvergate where they lost 8-2. J Smith, M Tate & David Lamb beat Gerald Chilvers 21-10, Ralf Savage, Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke beat Joe Brown 18-9 and Morgan Warnes, Simon Warnes & Josh Baxter beat Phil Watson 13-7. Kirby’s only win was gained by Peter Johnson, Joan Costello & Jimmy Dye who beat Robbie Lamb’s triple 17-14.

                                                                                                                                             Posted 9-10-13

Joe & Shirley Brown, pictured here with Potter's Mark Brewer, starred for Kirby Bedon against Halvergate

Jim May - Rest in Peace

The NCSMBA is saddened to learn of the death of Jim May of Hemsby SMBC. Jim, a 76 year old retired driving instructor, is believed to have suffered a heart attack while playing at Hemsby SMBC on September 19^th. After being treated by paramedics he was taken to the James Paget Hospital for observation. Unfortunately he died in the early hours of September 20^th. Sometime between then and September 30^th an allegation of medical malpractice was made relating to his death which the hospital referred to the police on the 30^th September, the police then launched an investigation. A post-mortem was conducted at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital on October 2^nd when the cause of death was recorded as heart failure although the results of further toxicology tests are awaited. It is believed that these may determine whether a drugs overdose was administered. On the morning of Saturday, October 5^th, police arrested a member of the hospital’s medical staff on suspicion of murder. The middle aged man has been bailed until an unspecified date in November. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Durham was quoted as saying “We are investigating an allegation that a drugs overdose was administered to a patient, leading to his death.” The story has received national press coverage with MPs demanding answers relating to the ten day gap before action was taken. Brandon Lewis, MP for Great Yarmouth, said “I think the hospital has some work to do to clarify why this took 10 days to be reported.” “If there was a whistleblower involved, it’s admirable that there was an atmosphere in which that could happen but they need to clarify why it took so long.” He added it should be made clear whether a whistleblower took days to come forward, or whether alarm bells were sounded immediately but the hospital did not pass the information to police until September 30. “I hope it’s isolated,” added Mr Lewis. “I know the hospital will co-operate in any way it can with the police.” Therese Coffey, Suffolk Coastal MP, said: “I think it’s important for there to be an explanation from the hospital on that time gap.” But she noted the complexity of the situation, with legal proceedings active. “One of the difficulties is getting the balance between what they can divulge now and what is reserved for the police investigation,” she said. Peter Aldous, Waveney MP, said his thoughts were with the family of the deceased.Christine Allen, chief executive of the JPH, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of this patient at what is a very difficult time.“Our priority is patient safety and we understand that this news will cause concern. “At this time, we believe it is an isolated incident and relates to the alleged action of a single member of staff.  “The member of staff against whom the allegation has been made is absent from the trust and will not return until the investigation is completed.“Throughout this difficult period, the JPH will continue to provide the best possible care to our patients and we are fully co-operating with the police.” The James Paget Hospital was also in the news in 2011 after three Norfolk & Suffolk MP’s raised the issue of falling standards of care at the hospital in a parliamentary debate. This had followed a letter one MP had been sent by GP’s in Yarmouth in which they pleaded for intervention before “we have another Mid Staffs on our hands.” In April 2011 Brandon Lewis MP was quoted in the press over the case of Nick Solomon whose wife Gloria pledged never again to put her terminally ill husband through the ordeal of being on a general ward. She claimed staff were unsure of even the basics, whether he had eaten, had a drink or had his medication. Brandon Lewis said the story was typical of the dozen or so letters he had received alerting him to a possible problem.

                                                                                                                                              Posted 7-10-13

                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                        Jim May 

Norfolk "A" win “Old Farm Derby” in Felixstowe

Norfolk “A” were in great derby day form as they brushed aside Suffolk in Felixstowe by a superb 30-10 margin in their I.C.C clash. The new young pairing of Morgan Warnes & Josh Baxter carried on where they left off in their last outing as they powered their way to wins of 20-11 & 22-8 leaving the home side reeling. Jenny Walker & captain Mike Boswell made it maximum points in the pairs with wins of 17-7 & 11-9. Singles specialist Neil Davidson had a good day winning his games by 17-14 & 16-9 and although Sheila Bragg went down in both her games she kept the scores tight so that Norfolk picked up the singles bonus points. Andrew Jackson, Melvyn Barker & Les Chadwick won their triples games by 14-4 & 15-8 while Joan Costello, Gerald Chilvers & Colin Coman added a 9-7 win as Norfolk’s triples picked up eight from ten points. The rinks games were shared but yet again the bonus points went Norfolk’s way by two shots. Maureen Munford, John Poynter, George Munford & David Dewing won their first game by 10-8 while Margaret Reynolds, Elaine Cole, Simon Warnes & Malcolm Reynolds won their second game. It was a weird day for Reynolds’ rink who were 12-0 down in their opening game before picking up a single followed by a sensational seven on the final end. In their second game they never gave the opposition a look in as they dominated throughout and won 15-0.

                                                                                                                                             Posted 6-10-13

The dream continued for Josh Baxter & Morgan Warnes in Suffolk

Good start for Halvergate

Halvergate take an eight point lead to Hevingham for the second leg of their Bure Cup clash. Hevingham started well at Halvergate and were holding the home team at 4-4 after the opening two sessions. David Sharpe’s triple had beaten David Lamb & Maurice Kemp’s triple had beaten Keith Cooke with Halvergate’s wins coming from Josh Baxter against Rex Cox and Robbie Lamb against George Clarke. The third session saw Halvergate move into an 8-4 lead after wins by David Lamb & Josh Baxter. Hevingham then hit back with a 5-3 win for George Clarke against Keith Cooke while Halvergate replied with a 7-2 win for Robbie Lamb against Maurice Kemp. Another shared session followed with Halvergate’s David Lamb winning 8-0 against George Clarke while Hevingham’s David Sharpe made it two wins out of three by beating Robbie Lamb 7-4. With Halvergate leading 12-8 going in to the final session Hevingham needed at least one win to give them a good chance in the second leg but Halvergate made home advantage count winning on both mats to clinch a 16-8 win. Keith Cooke’s triple finally won a game, after losing both their earlier games, while Mike Harvey, Steven Lamb & Josh Baxter won their third game in a row to collect maximum points. Early season Bure League results saw defending champions Halvergate beat Horsford Heroes 10-0 with Michael Savage, Roy Walker & Keith Cooke beating Andy Drummee’s triple 29-3. Horsford Heroes fared better at Anglian Windows where they won by 7-3 with Mally Kemp, P Hubbard & Roger Frank winning 23-7 against Keith Halford’s triple. East Tuddenham won 7-3 at home to Kirby Bedon where Tuddenham’s Robin Amos beat Gerald Chilvers 13-7 and Kirby’s Phil Watson triple beat John Jefferies 18-13. John Turner added a 15-10 win for the home side against Joe Brown while Peter Smart’s triple drew 13-13 against Brian Saunders’ triple.

                                                                                                                                                 Posted 4-10-13

National Championship entries up 25 on last season

Figures released by the NCSMBA Competition Secretary Peter Smart have revealed that the total National Championship entries in Norfolk this season of 155 are the highest since 2006 and 25 up on last season. 61 players will contest the Norfolk County Singles Championship which also doubles as the National Singles qualifier. The only time since 2001 this figure was bettered was in 2005 when 69 entries were received. The National Pairs entry of 39 is 8 up on last season while the triples entry of 28 is the biggest since 31 entered in 2006. The National Fours entry has remained steady at 14 while the disappointing entry of 8 in the National Mixed Fours probably reflects the fact that this competition is regarded as less prestigious. 5 players will contest the Under 18s National Qualifier at Lakeside which is just one down on last year. 

                                                                                                                                                 Posted 1-10-13

Sparham lifts third Norfolk Mixed Fours title

Debbie Barrett, Debbie Phillips & Jack Barrett of Wymondham, playing with Hempnall’s Jon Sparham, lifted the Norfolk County Mixed Fours Championship title at Lakeside. A dramatic final went into an extra end against Maureen Munford, Elaine Oatway, George Munford and Bob Oatway of First Bus before Sparham triumphed. With the scores tied at 5-5 after seven ends, and with Sparham's rink holding one shot on the extra end against his Norfolk Premier fours team mate, Bob Oatway had last wood but unfortunately missed the target and left Sparham’s rink celebrating. For Debbie & Jack Barrett and Debbie Phillips this was their first mixed fours success while Jon Sparham had won it previously in 2009/10 and 2010/11. That was the year that Sparham, Jean Woods, Jenny Walker and David Lamb went on to claim national glory as well. The Wymondham and Hempnall four will be dreaming that it becomes reality next March as well.  In the semi finals John Sparham's rink breezed to an 8-1 victory over half of last year’s champions Keith Cooke and Josh Baxter while Oatway's four overcame last year’s runner-up David Lamb in a tight contest by 7-6. The third place play-off was won by Keith Cooke’s rink who beat David Lamb’s rink by one shot. Lamb scored four shots on the final end missing out on forcing an extra end by a narrow margin. In the group stage only a single shot was the difference between Oatway's four going through over Steven Lamb's rink with them on 3 pts and -3 shots and Oatway on 3 pts and -2 as Cooke won the group having won two games. In the other group Jean Woods, Donna Lamb, Chris Mann and David Lamb had beaten Sparham's rink in the opening group game by 6-4 and went on to beat Ty Musk's rink by 15-1 to see them through as group winners. Sparham went through as runners-up with wins over George Clarke by 7-5 and Ty Musk by 7-3. Margaret Reynolds, Jackie Smith, Melly Woods and Trevor Brown would have envisaged going a long way but were instantly put out with two opening defeats in their group by Steven Lamb's rink by 7-6 and then Keith Cooke's rink by 9-1. 

                                                                                                                                                                                       Posted 29-9-13

  

                  National Finals bound - Jack Barrett, Debbie Phillips, Jon Sparham & Debbie Barrett

                      Runner's up - Bob Oatway, Elaine Oatway, George Munford and Maureen Munford

                                                                                                                                                               

                                                  Norfolk Premier beat Essex in I.C.C opener

Norfolk Premier began their Inter-County Championship campaign at Lakeside with a tough match against Essex Premier. With a poor record against Essex in recent seasons, and a heavy home defeat last year to avenge, Norfolk were determined to turn the tables on an Essex team missing Craig Burgess & Barry Hedges from their line-up. Burgess has walked away from I.C.C bowls to concentrate on his work with the SMPT while Hedges, although present at the match, was a shock omission. The opening session was shared as Trevor Brown beat Mitchell Young 12-11 and Jack Barrett & Chris Mann won convincingly by 20-10 in the pairs. Essex points were earned by Jack Shepherd who beat Halvergate’s David Lamb 20-8 while Robin Amos & John Turner slipped to a 14-12 defeat. The second session saw Norfolk win across all four mats as Steven Lamb, Nigel Willard & Melvin Woods won 15-10, Neil Davidson, Debbie Phillips & Keith Cooke won 11-7, Robbie Lamb, Andrew Stratton, Phil Watson & Selwyn Goldsmith won 9-7 and Jean Woods, Bob Oatway, Brian Saunders & Jon Sparham won 14-2 leaving Norfolk 12-4 up at the break. Essex hit back hard after the interval and undid all Norfolk’s good work to level the match at 12-12. David Lamb suffered his second 20-8 defeat of the day while Trevor Brown lost a close game 14-9 against Shepherd. Barrett & Mann looked on course for victory leading 9-5 after ten ends before conceding fourteen shots over four ends while Amos & Turner lost their second game by 16-13. The pressure was on the Norfolk triples & fours to repeat their first half showing in the final session and Bob Oatway’s rink won 10-5 and Selwyn Goldsmith’s rink won 9-4 to collect the maximum ten points in that discipline. Keith Cooke’s triple scored their second win of the day with a 9-5 score line and although Melvin Woods’ triple lost by just one shot Norfolk were home and dry by 22-18. Norfolk “A” fared less well against an on-form Essex “A” who defeated the home side by 25-15 but a sparkling display by a very young pairing of Morgan Warnes & Josh Baxter brightened the day. Morgan Warnes of Horsford BC was making her county debut at just fifteen years old while seventeen year old Josh Baxter of Halvergate returned to county action after a year out. A stunning win of 24-5 in their opening match made it a dream debut and when they produced an identical 24-5 win in their second game against the experienced Scottish skip Ian Arthur it capped a remarkable performance by this talented young couple. Chris Musk & Mike Boswell won both their games by 15-12 & 11-10 as all ten points in the pairs went to Norfolk. The only other wins for Norfolk “A” were earned by Sheila Bragg with a 17-9 singles win, Rob Cranston, John Jarvis & Graham Tweed with an 8-7 triples win and a 6-6 draw for Kevin Watson, Ian Mills, Mike Harvey & Ray Lamb in the rinks.

                                                                                                                                         Posted 22-9-13      

Norfolk & Essex line-up before today's opening I.C.C encounter at Lakeside

Josh Baxter & Morgan Warnes, two 24-5 wins makes it a dream debut

Summer Presentation 

The annual Summer League presentation was held at Thorpe Marriott Village Hall on Tuesday night which saw the Bob Carter Centre collect both the Summer Cup and the Division One title for the fourth season in a row. With Halvergate eventually easing their way to the Division Two title they will now look to break the deadlock between Bob Carter and Wymondham who have occupied first and second place in Division One for the last three years. They know doing this will take some doing but will be well up for the challenge as they showed in the cup final against Carter. Thorpe Marriott "A" also claimed promotion to the top flight with Halvergate and, with Kirby Bedon and Anglian Windows consolidating their places in the division, will make for a fascinating season next year. Thorpe Marriott "B" breezed their way to the Division Three title with Hingham Yellow sealing promotion with them to Division Two next season.

                                                                                                               Posted 12-9-13 

Champs!

Melvin Woods (Carter), Morgan Warnes (Thorpe Marriott B) and Ray Lamb (Halvergate) pictured with their respective division trophies.

 Summer cup winners Bob Carter

                                                            Runner's up Halvergate with the division two trophy 

Norfolk Squad at Potters Leisure Resort

With Inter-County Championship action starting later this month the new Norfolk County Squad met at Potters Leisure Resort for a pre-season day. Players met in the Bowlers Bar area at 1.15pm after which new visitors to Potters were given a short tour by Potters Leisure Resort staff. Norfolk Team Manager Selwyn Goldsmith welcomed eight new members to the squad for the 2013/14 season before three sessions of games were played with various combinations being tried out by the Team Management. Bob Oatway was introduced as the new Assistant Manager after the Manager thanked Neil Davidson for his efforts in the post last season. Davidson had stepped down because his county swimming commitments clashed with some of the upcoming fixtures.  

                                                                                                                                                                 Posted 11-9-13

Eight new Norfolk Squad members for 2013/14 season at Potters Leisure Resort

Back row (left to right) Rob Cranston, Ian Mills, John Jarvis & Andrew Jackson

Front row (left to right) Kevin Watson, Morgan Warnes, Maureen Munford & George Munford

Josh Baxter & Morgan Warnes who played as a new pairing on Squad Day at Potters

NCSMBA Summer League Round-up

With all league fixtures now completed another NCSMBA Summer League season has been put to bed with, as previously reported, Bob Carter completing a fourth successive Summer League & Cup double. Carter finished seven points ahead of Wymondham in the league and beat Division Two side Halvergate in the Summer Cup final at Anglian Windows. A great battle for the runners-up spot between Wymondham & Kirby Bedon effectively ended when Kirby Bedon crashed to a heavy defeat at Wymondham in the tail end of the campaign. With the Summer League having shrunk to just six teams in each of the three divisions Hevingham & Sprowston SSC started the season as two of the three likely relegation candidates in Division One and neither side recovered from the poor start that they both made leaving Anglian Windows as survivors in the top flight. The meteoric rise of Halvergate continued as they won the Division Two promotion race after a fantastic battle involving five of the six teams. Thorpe Marriott “A” will join them in Division One next season after finishing in second place. The days of regularly competing in Division One seem long ago for First Bus who struggled at the foot of the division all season and now face life in the third tier of the sport along with Diss Green who finished next to bottom but just one point behind Deaf Sports and two points behind Horsford Heroes. It was certainly a narrow escape for both clubs. Thorpe Marriott “B” enjoyed a magnificent season in Division Three as they stormed to the title twelve points clear of second placed Hingham Yellow.

National Club Final defeat for Bob Carter

Norfolk Summer League champions Bob Carter were defeated in the re-arranged National Club Championship Final by Somerset side Kingscliffe “A” in Northants. Carter player David Lamb told me that the Drayton side had won the triples discipline but lost the others. Unfortunately no other details of the results etc are available to the N.C.S.M.B.A at this time. 

                                                                                         Posted 11-9-13

Pam Grint

The N.C.S.M.B.A is saddened to learn of the death of Pam Grint who passed away on Friday. Pam was a popular bowler who played for Thurton in the South Norfolk League and Jarrolds in the City of Norwich League. Rest in Peace Pam.

POTTERS CUP WEEKEND

Winning The Potters Cup is a Mann’s job

Another action packed Potters Cup Weekend at Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea saw Wymondham’s Debbie Barrett, Jack Barrett & Chris Mann lift the Potters Cup after beating Suffolk triple Terry Cook, Doreen Cook & Derek Barley of Carlton SMBC in the final played in the International Arena. The Wymondham triple found their rhythm quickly on the opening end taking two shots with Debbie, Jack & Chris all looking in great form but Terry Cook drew in a lovely lead bowl on to the jack on the second end to put Mann’s triple under pressure. After Jack Barrett narrowly missed with an attacking wood Chris Mann opened up the head with his first bowl and drew in on his forehand with his last wood to take shot and a 3-0 lead. A great battle was developing between lead bowlers Terry Cook & Debbie Barrett who were both in great form. Debbie Barrett drew in a nice opening bowl on the third end but it was bettered by a super backhand by Terry Cook. Debbie Barrett then produced an even better wood to take shot but this was immediately countered by Terry Cook who used pace to take the jack back. Jack Barrett’s efforts failed to address the situation while Doreen Cook drew in another Suffolk bowl. It was left to Chris Mann to come up with two good woods to limit the damage to just one shot.The next two ends saw Chris Mann’s triple take a stranglehold on the game. Another great exchange between the lead bowlers kicked off the fourth end but an attacking wood by Jack Barrett took shot momentarily before Doreen Cook replaced it. Jack Barrett attacked with his second wood but narrowly missed and ran into the ditch. Barley semi-blocked the head but a tremendous backhand bowl by Chris Mann ditched the jack to earn three shots and a 6-1 lead. On the fifth end a perfect bowl by Jack Barrett sat on the jack with just the skips bowls to come. Chris Mann’s first bowl finished in a good defending position while Derek Barley’s first bowl went wide. Mann’s second bowl was a good blocker which worked to perfection as Barley’s final wood was deflected away and Wymondham moved into an 8-1 lead. Derek Barley’s triple hit back with a vengeance on the sixth end. Yet again the lead bowlers entertained spectators as they continued their great battle with four excellent woods. This time it was Terry Cook who held two shots after the leads had completed their bowling and Doreen Cook drew in a third for Suffolk. Chris Mann’s first wood cut them down to just two and his second bowl opened up the head but failed to save the situation. Derek Barley drew in his last wood to take four shots and cut the deficit to 8-5 with three ends to play. After a rare loose start to the seventh end Doreen Cook delivered two good woods but a great forehand draw by Jack Barrett took shot. Barley’s first attempt to retrieve the situation saw his bowl miss the head before Chris Mann drew in a near perfect backhand bowl. Barley took out one Wymondham bowl when he attacked with his final wood but could not stop Mann’s triple picking up a four to lead 12-5 after seven ends.  Two great bowls by Terry Cook gave the Suffolk triple a glimmer of hope on the penultimate end and Doreen Cook added another good third wood to keep their hopes alive. Mann cut them down to two shots leaving his triple 12-7 up with an end remaining. The Wymondham triple then finished in style taking four shots on the final end to win the Potters Cup Final by 16-7.

In the semi-finals Chris Mann’s triple recovered from 4-1 down to beat North Yorkshire’s Sheila Loraine, Michael Ridge & David Loraine 8-4. Loraine’s triple had displayed excellent form on their first Potters Cup appearance and impressed throughout. Derek Barley’s triple beat Wymondham’s Hayley Stratton, Mikey George & Andrew Stratton by 10-6 to end the prospect of an all Wymondham final. Stratton’s triple led 2-0 after two ends but a full house by Barley’s triple on the third end gave them a lead they never relinquished. The Presentation Ceremony was conducted by Potters entertainer Richard Beare with event co-organiser Teresa Goldsmith.

Its Macs day in the Potters Shield

A superb Potters Shield Final went to an extra end when Pauline McCallum of Morton Glebe, Peter Smart of Sprowston & Alan McCallum of Morton Glebe faced Barbara & Colin Hadler of Whitstable and Terry Smith of Fen Drayton. First blood went to Smith’s triple who took a first end 2-0 lead but MaCallum’s triple hit back with a four on the second end. A tit for tat game developed and with one scheduled end to play Alan McCallum’s triple held a 9-8 lead. Terry Smith’s triple then scored a single on the ninth end to level the match at 9-9 to force an extra end. An excellent and entertaining final was then decided by Alan McCallum’s triple taking two shots to win 11-9. In the semi-finals McCallum’s triple had beaten David Varvel, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown of Costessey by 10-6. Joe Brown’s triple had carved out a 4-2 lead after four ends but then conceded a three followed by two twos as McCallum’s triple took control. Terry Smith’s triple won their semi-final by 14-4 against Joan Costello, Maureen Dease & Ken Dease of Anglian Windows. The match was tied at 2-2 after four ends before Smith’s triple picked up twelve shots over the next four ends to lead 10-2 and there was to be no way back for the Anglian Windows triple.

Cudden & Baker in the money!

Bernard Cudden & Paul Baker of Hempnall produced six straight wins to take first place in the Potters Cash Pairs event finishing with 12 points and +30 shots. Runners up were Kerry Greenacre & Gerald Chilvers of Kirby Bedon with 11 points and +17. Third place was claimed by Joan Cann of Hempnall & Arthur Jackson of North Yorks with 10 points and +18 while Paula & Alan MaCullum were fourth with 10 points and +10. The Presentation Ceremony was conducted by Potters entertainer Mark Brewer with event co-organiser Teresa Goldsmith while Kenny Lynch topped the bill in the Atlas Theatre afterwards. Potters have confirmed that the dates for next year’s Potters Cup Weekend will be Friday 29^th August to Monday 1^st September.

Potters Cup Weekend 2014

Details of this annual event, which has been held since 2001, can be obtained by ringing Teresa Goldsmith on 01603-403628 who can send you further details on behalf of Potters Leisure Resort. Prices will be frozen at this year’s prices for the Potters Cup 2014 event and all cheques must, as always, be made payable to Potters Leisure Ltd as this is a scheduled brochure weekend. You are reminded that to obtain the very special prices that Potters are offering to short mat bowlers and their family & friends, all enquiries should be put through Teresa. If bookings are made through Potters normal channels full prices may be charged and your entry into the Potters Cup may be missed. Details can also be found on the Open Competitions page on this website by

clicking on Potters Cup     

                                                                                                                                  

Potters Cup Weekend Photo Call 2013

Potters Cup Winners Wymondham's Jack & Debbie Barrett and Chris Mann with Potters Richard Beare

Potters Shield Winners Alan McCallum, Pauline McCallum & Peter Smart with Potter's Richard Beare

Potters Cash Pairs Winners Hempnall's Paul Baker & Bernard Cudden with Mark Brewer of Potters

Potters Cup Runners-Up Terry Cook, Doreen Cook & Derek Barley of Carlton SMBC

Potters Shield Runners-Up Terry Smith of Fen Drayton and Barbara & Colin Hadler of Whitstable with Potters Richard Beare

                                                                                                  Posted 4-9-13

Halvergate & Marriott win Div Two promotion race

The battle for the two promotion spots that had been fought all season between no fewer than six teams has finally ended after crucial wins for Halvergate left them and Thorpe Marriott “A” clinching promotion to the top flight next summer. Diss entertained Halvergate knowing that they needed a big win to keep their hopes alive but found the visitors in tenacious form as Halvergate snatched a 5-3 points win with just one shot separating the teams. The first half was shared as Colin Smith, Keith Buck & Graham Mobbs of Diss beat Ray Lamb, Robbie Lamb & Josh Baxter 21-9 while Halvergate’s Kevin Watson, Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke hit back beating Will Hogan’s triple 23-13. After the break Hogan’s triple drew 11-11 with Baxter’s triple while the match was decided by a 16-13 win by Halvergate’s Keith Cooke against Graham Mobbs. In their next match Halvergate visited third placed Horsford Heroes who also had their sights set on promotion. Unfortunately for Horsford they suffered a fatal 8-0 home defeat as Halvergate hit top form. An unchanged Halvergate team saw Keith Cooke’s triple beat Mark Tuttle 15-13 before beating Vic Webster 20-9. Josh Baxter’s triple also had a good night beating Webster 15-10 and then beating Tuttle 19-5. In Division Three Thorpe Marriott “B” continued their excellent season by winning 6-2 at County Council. They had already made certain of the Division Three title and promotion in their previous match but maintained their unbeaten record in style. Dorothy Muttitt, Morgan Warnes & Simon Warnes opened with a 19-14 win against John Gosling’s triple but David Blythe, Sylvia Roe & Malcolm Roe hit back by beating Richard Perkins’ triple 15-14. The second half was all Marriott though as Morgan Warnes, David Knights & Simon Warnes romped to a 24-5 win against Malcolm Roe’s triple and John Jarvis, Margaret McPherson & Richard Perkins beat Gosling’s triple 17-9.

                                                                                                                                             Posted 29-8-13

Cup glory for Carter but Cooke is unbeaten

Bob Carter reeled off their fourth successive Summer Cup triumph but Division Two Halvergate, playing in their first ever final, only lost the match on shots after it finished all square on points at the neutral Anglian Windows venue. Halvergate’s Ian Mills, Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke opened against Jason Woods, England international Melvin Woods & former World Fours Champion Trevor Brown. First blood was drawn by Carter as a great last bowl by Brown on the first end gave them a 3-0 lead. But with new County player Ian Mills in excellent form at lead, Steven Lamb as solid as a rock at number two and Keith Cooke conducting proceedings at skip like a maestro they won the next three ends to lead 6-3. Two shots for Carter on the fifth end cut the deficit to just one shot but a single on the sixth end moved Cooke into a 7-5 lead. A super Keith Cooke wood rolled in behind the jack on the next end moved his triple into an 8-5 lead as Brown went too wide in reply. Lovely lead woods by Ian Mills kept the pressure on Carter on the eighth end as Brown’s triple found themselves 10-5 down. At this point Carter decided to change playing order with Melvin Woods moving into the skips spot but another single for Cooke on the ninth end saw them move 11-5 ahead. With the Carter triple realizing that they had a game on their hands Melly Woods produced a good attacking bowl on the tenth end and the comeback was on as another good end followed for Carter leaving Halvergate just 11-10 up. Trevor Brown drew onto the jack with his opening bowl on the twelfth and added a nice backhand but they had to settle for a single to level the game at 11-11. With the comeback complete Brown’s triple found themselves in trouble again on the next end as Keith Cooke’s triple took three shots to leave themselves 14-11 up with two ends remaining. The jack was knocked close to the ditch line on the penultimate end and Jason Woods twice tried to trail it into the ditch but missed both times. In reply Steven Lamb tried to do the same and although clipping the jack to give himself a toucher in the ditch the jack remained stubbornly alive. Melvin Woods stepped up to draw shot wood but cool as a cucumber Cooke immediately ditched the jack to give his triple a 15-11 lead. Carter took two shots on the final end but Ian Mills, Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke were left celebrating an excellent win. On the other mat Carter’s triple comprised two former and one current England international as George Clarke, David Lamb & John Turner faced Halvergate’s all County Team triple of Ray Lamb, Robbie Lamb & Josh Baxter. Carter enjoyed a good start as Josh Baxter inadvertently pushed in a Carter bowl to give them two shots, and John Turner drew in his final wood to take a 3-0 first end lead. A somewhat fortunate backhand wick by Turner on the second end was followed by a super forehand by the same player as the Carter triple took a fabulous five shots to move 8-0 up. On the third end David Lamb neatly promoted a short George Clarke bowl onto the jack to keep the pressure on Baxter’s triple. When Baxter stepped up to bowl the last wood of the end Carter held two shots but Baxter’s attacking wood was played far too tight and Turner’s triple were 10-0 up already after just three ends. A single followed on the fourth end to make it 11-0 but Halvergate threatened to finally score on the fifth end as they held shot with just the skip’s final woods to play. John Turner then produced a superb backhand bowl to leave Carter holding shot and Baxter was again unable to save the day as Carter moved 12-0 up. At this point Halvergate decided to change playing order with Robbie Lamb moving to skip and Baxter switching to the number two position. The change immediately paid off as Halvergate scored two shots on the next end to trail by 12-2 but George Clarke got the better of the exchange between the two leads on the seventh end and Carter went into a 13-2 lead. The outcome was put beyond any reasonable doubt on the next end as Carter took total control scoring five shots to move 18-2 up. The Halvergate triple looked well and truly beaten by now as two super woods by David Lamb on the ninth end continued the onslaught and took Carter into a 20-2 lead. With Carter now in the ascendency all three players drew in goods woods on the tenth end. Baxter tried an attacking shot but hit the block and Robbie Lamb also attacked but failed to find his desired target with either of his bowls. The result was another five shots for John Turner’s triple and a massive 25-2 lead. The shell-shocked Halvergate triple were no match for Carter as the agony was piled on with Carter now leading 32-2 after thirteen ends. Halvergate did take three shots over the last two ends to cut the deficit to 32-5 but this was a defeat of gargantuan proportions and a massive blow to their side’s cup hopes. This left the match level on points at 2-2 at halftime but with Carter 45-20 up on shots Halvergate needed to achieve a minimum of one win and a draw if they were to save the day in the second half. Halvergate left their triples unchanged but Carter brought in Jean Woods to replace Jason Woods while leaving ex England player Nigel Willard as an unused substitute. After their massive first half win John Turner’s triple were hoping to continue the same way on mat two against Keith Cooke’s triple but they found Mills, Lamb & Cooke a far tougher nut to crack. Ian Mills continued to impress at lead while Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke built on the solid foundation his lead woods gave them. Turner’s triple tried their best to break away but a close game developed with the score 5-4 to Carter after seven ends. The game on mat one between Trevor Brown’s triple and Josh Baxter’s triple was being played at a much faster pace and by this time they had played nine ends and the score was level at 5-5 after Baxter used weight on his backhand to win the end. The tight game continued on mat two but Keith Cooke’s triple had moved 9-7 up after thirteen ends. By this time Jean Woods, Melvin Woods & Trevor Brown had moved into a 10-8 lead against Ray Lamb, Robbie Lamb & Josh Baxter with just one end still to play but the Halvergate triple had proved to be far more resilient in the second half. Baxter’s triple realized that they needed to score at least two shots to earn a draw to keep the cup tie alive. If they achieved this, and Cooke’s triple held on to win on mat two, Halvergate would be lifting the cup aloft. With just Trevor Brown’s final wood to bowl Halvergate did indeed hold the two shots they needed but the jack was totally exposed on the backhand between the two Halvergate bowls. A player of Brown’s experience was unlikely to miss the opportunity of putting the match to bed and he did so with a perfect drawing wood to take shot and clinch the Summer Cup for Bob Carter for yet another year with an 11-8 win. On the other mat the last two ends were played out with Keith Cooke completing an 11-7 win against John Turner’s triple with a perfect last wood. Bob Carter will be delighted with another cup triumph to complete the league & Cup double and will be attempting to complete another grand slam when they play the final of the National Club Championships against Kingscliffe “A”. Halvergate’s Ian Mills, Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke will be delighted to have finished the evening as the top triple with two wins against top quality opponents. All in all it was an absorbing cup final at the excellent Anglian Windows venue and the Halvergate team will have learned much from the experience. 

                                                                                                        Posted 22-8-13

Bob Carter pictured after their Summer Cup triumph

Halvergate pushed Carter all the way

Sprowston & Hevingham relegated

The last games of the season in Division One saw both Sprowston SSC & Hevingham condemned to relegation. Sprowston won 6-2 at home to Anglian Windows with Linda Chadwick, Les Chadwick & David Dewing winning 14-8 & 12-10 but they still finished bottom of the table on 20 points. Hevingham crashed to an 8-0 defeat at Wymondham where Jon Sparham’s triple won 19-5 & 22-7 and Mark Linsdell’s triple won 30-11 against Vic Woods and 17-11 against Maurice Kemp. Woods left the venue at halftime and was replaced by Janet Kemp in what appears to have been his last game for Hevingham who finished on 21 points. In the top of the table clash in Division Two Horsford Heroes moved above Deaf Sports after winning 6-2 away. Chris Woodhouse’s triple won 14-12 & 12-11 while Mark Tuttle weighed in with a 16-11 win. Third placed Halvergate have games in hand though and look title favourites while Thorpe Marriott “A” are also handily placed to grab a promotion spot.
                                 Thorpe Marriott "B" are Div Three Champs

Thorpe Marriott “B” lifted the Division Three championship title beating Framingham Earl 8-0. Simon Warnes’ triple won 14-13 & 15-7 while Richard Perkins won by 21-13 & 16-9. They will be joined in Division Two by Hingham Yellow who finish as runners-up.

                                                                                                                                                 Posted 18-8-13

The Thurne League disbands

The Thurne League has finally folded after months of speculation on its future. The end was inevitable when both Halvergate & Bradwell decided to quit the Thurne League for pastures new in the Tens League leaving just Woodbastwick & Hemsby. The Thurne was one of the five leagues formed following the re-organisation of short mat bowls in Norfolk prior to the 1989/90 season. This followed the unprecedented growth of the sport at that time when the number of clubs in Norfolk rose from just four in 1986 to 42 in 1989. The Thurne League is the second of these five leagues to disband, the Wensum League called it a day at the end of the 2011/12 season. The founding member clubs of the Thurne were Acle, Potter Heigham, Stalham “A”, Stalham “B”,  Hevingham, Martham & Woodbastwick. By 2001/2 Coltishall, Hemsby & Halvergate had all joined but Hevingham had moved into the Bure League, Stalham were now fielding just one team and Martham were in the Coastal League. By 2008/9 Acle & Potter Heigham had left but Bradwell & South Walsham had replaced them. The danger signals were there in 2011/12 when just five teams remained and last season Stalham left leaving just four teams. Six winter leagues now operate under the umbrella of the N.C.S.M.B.A. The City of Norwich League, the Breckland League, the South Norfolk League, the Bure League & the Coastal League all operate with a triples format while the Tens League provides a pairs & triples format. 

                                                                                                                                                      Posted 17-8-13

SMPT announce sponsorship deal

The Short Mat Players Tour has announced that a sponsorship deal has been agreed with Henselite & Greengauge, two of the biggest names in the bowls world. The partnership will run from the start of the 2013/14 season during which Henselite & Greengauge will sponsor the UK Open, the English Masters, the World Masters and the Order of Merit. SMPT Tournament Director Craig Burgess said on Friday evening that “Months of hard work have culminated in today’s announcement. We look forward to many more exciting developments in this new ere, including the launch of the Tour Mat, something players will get to play on at our opening event of the season, the UK Masters.” The SMPT Marketing Director Phil Mills said “Our association with arguably the biggest brand in bowls is terrific news for the SMPT and for the future of our sport.” The new Tour Mat has been designed by Henselite/Greengauge with input from the SMPT and is the first short mat to have actual input from short mat players. There are two speeds for the Tour Mat, the fast speed mat is designed for “mat on mat” venues such as Bromsgrove IBC where the SMPT are based. The other mat is a medium speed which is designed for use in venues with a hard floor. The work on the Tour Mat has taken place over the last ten months during which the speeds of mats in the UK, Sweden & Belgium, which the SMPT events have been played on, have been measured. Craig Burgess stated that “We have come to the conclusion that a mat which runs 8.5 – 9.5 seconds, middle to middle, is the best. Anything under 8 seconds is too slow and anything over 9.5 is too quick.” It appears that the Tour Mat will be available for general sale next month and it is claimed that it will be cheaper that mats currently on the market. The rapid growth of the SMPT and their ambition is to be applauded in a sport that some feel has gone backwards in recent years. Norfolk & England player David Lamb will take part in the first ranking SMPT event of the season, the UK Open at Bromsgrove I.B.C, which starts on August 31st. He has been drawn in group one with Belgium’s Sibe Laureys, Nishy Logue & George Crothers of Northern Ireland and England’s Jason McLean & Steve Puttock. Halvergate & Norfolk bowler Keith Cooke will also take part and his opening game will be against Neil Gribble, another English entry. The second ranking SMPT event will be the European Masters which is to be played in Herentals, Belgium on 26-10-13 & 27-10-13. Chris Mann of Wymondham & Norfolk will be taking part in this event. The Swedish Masters will be played in Stromstad, Sweden beginning on 11-1-14 and the fourth ranking event will be the English Masters at Bromsgrove IBC starting 1-2-14. The fifth and final ranking event of the season will be the World Masters at Belfast IBC in Northern Ireland on 11-4-14. Other SMPT events will be the non ranking Irish Open beginning on 14-9-13 at Belfast IBC and the World Pairs at Bromsgrove on 2-11-13.   

                                Hevingham & Sprowston both win away

After failing to win a single Division One match all season Sprowston & Hevingham met each other home & away and both managed to break their ducks on each others mats. Hevingham were given a great start at Sprowston as Pat Williamson, David Sharpe & Maurice Kemp beat Terry Fletcher’s triple 19-8 but Margaret Poynter, John Mason & John Poynter hit back for the home side beating Vic Woods’ triple 23-5. After the break Mervyn Williamson, Alan Bunn & Vic Woods ran out 26-17 winners against Les Chadwick while Maurice Kemp’s triple beat John Poynter’s triple by one shot to earn Hevingham a 6-2 win against the bottom club. In the return game at Hevingham it was Sprowston SSC who were celebrating an away victory as they won 6-2. Margaret Poynter, John Mason & John Poynter led the way beating David Sharpe’s triple 13-10 and Maurice Kemp’s triple 14-9. Linda Chadwick, Les Chadwick & David Dewing added a 9-8 win against Maurice Kemp while Hevingham’s two points were earned by Mervyn Williamson, Alan Bunn & David Sharpe in a 17-9 win against David Dewing. The promotion race in Division Two remains as difficult to predict as ever with five teams still in the mix. The situation was not made any clearer as Horsford were held to a 4-4 draw by visitors Thorpe Marriott “A”. The first half was shared as Chris Woodhouse’s Horsford triple beat Kath Frost 14-11 and Tony Turner’s Marriott triple replied by beating Vic Webster 18-8. After the break Tony Turner added a second win beating Chris Woodhouse 17-7 but Vic Webster’s triple beat Kath Frost 12-8 to ensure that honours were even at 4-4. Thorpe Marriott “A” remain top with 37 points but face difficult games away to promotion rivals Halvergate & Diss Green in their final two matches. Deaf Sports are level on points with Marriott but only have one game remaining at home to Horsford who are just three points behind the top two. Horsford’s other match is at home to Halvergate who are just four points behind them but still have three games to play. Halvergate’s confidence will be sky high after their great cup run and will be determined to finish the season in style by snatching the Division Two title. Diss Green though can certainly not be discounted. With their final two games both on their own mats against Thorpe Marriott “A” and Halvergate they can inflict serious damage on their rivals. After six straight wins in Division Three Thorpe Marriott “B” were finally held to a 4-4 draw by visitors Hingham Yellow. Janet Higgs, John Higgs & Gordon Wilcox were on form for promotion chasing Hingham beating Richard Perkins 15-8 & Simon Warnes 14-11. In their previous match Hingham Yellow had beaten Watton 6-2 with Janet Higgs, Wendy Tweed & John Higgs beating Roger Braham 17-8 and Margaret Hunter 14-13. Hingham Yellow have now completed all their fixtures and top the table just four points ahead of Thorpe Marriott “B” who still have three games to play. Watton are third thirteen points adrift of Marriott. Despite all Thorpe Marriott’s remaining games being away from home, at Framingham Earl, Watton & County Council,  I would expect them to pick up the five points necessary to lift the Division Three title ahead of Hingham Yellow who have already done enough to secure promotion.

                                                                                                                                             Posted 10-8-13

Halvergate Hurricane blowing Carters way

Halvergate reached the Summer Cup Final for the first time after a superb win at Thorpe Marriott “B” lined up a mouth watering encounter with Division One giants Bob Carter. They produced a simply stunning start as Ian Mills, Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke scored seventeen shots over just three ends against Richard Perkins’ triple. A five on the opening end followed by two full houses left the home side reeling. After that the game was more or less even but the damage had already been done as Cooke’s triple went on to win 26-9. Ray Lamb, Robbie Lamb & Josh Baxter also led throughout against Simon Warnes’ triple and recorded a 14-9 win. The prospect of the home side making up a 22 deficit after the break was never likely, especially with the visitors staying on the same mats, but the Division Three side did manage a win as Morgan Warnes, David Knights & Simon Warnes beat Keith Cooke’s triple 13-7. Josh Baxter’s triple sealed victory for Halvergate with a 16-13 win against Richard Perkins’ triple. Halvergate have established themselves as one of the best sides in the county under the inspired leadership of England international David Lamb and reaching the Summer Cup Final for the first time is another important stepping stone. Ironically David Lamb himself will now be a massive obstacle in Halvergate’s bid for cup glory. He has played in the hugely successful Bob Carter team in the Summer League for the past few years and will almost certainly be one of the first names on the Carter team-sheet for the final. 

Status quo unchanged for third year in Div One

A comfortable 8-0 away win at Anglian Windows earned Wymondham the runner-up spot in Division One. After trailing 8-4 after five ends Mary Fisher, Chris Mann & Debbie Phillips fought back to beat Keith Halford’s triple 15-12 while Debbie Barrett, Jack Barrett & Jon Sparham beat Avril Walker’s triple 17-14 in a close game. After the break Debbie Phillips beat Avril Walker 17-4 while Jack Barrett moved to skip to beat Keith Halford 15-12. The status quo in the top flight remains unchanged for the third year in a row with Bob Carter finishing as champions, Wymondham as runners-up and Kirby Bedon third. Wymondham’s final league match is at home to relegation threatened Hevingham.

                                                                                                                                                     Posted 9-8-13

National Finals date changes

Please note that the ESMBA have reversed the weekends previously announced for the National Mixed Fours and the National Under 18s Finals and the weekend set aside for the World Championships. The National Mixed Fours Finals will now be played on Saturday 22nd March 2014 and the National Under 18s Finals the following day, Sunday 23rd March 2014. The World Championships will now be played on the weekend of the 29th & 30th March 2014 in Cardiff. The latest dates for all the Norfolk County Championship events and the Nationals can be found on this website by clicking on the County/National Dates tab.
                                                                                                                                            Posted 5-8-13

Division Two promotion race wide open

Division Two leaders Deaf Sports saw their promotion hopes take a serious knock as they lost 6-2 at home to Diss Green. Bill Francis, Keith Buck & Graham Mobbs did the damage as they opened with a 14-11 win against John Jeffery’s triple and followed that up with an 18-12 win against county favourite Robin Amos. Gill Coleman, Trish Taylor & Terry Newby added a 17-10 win against Jefferys but Robin Amos scored a consolation 27-5 win for Deaf Sports, the biggest win of the match. Thorpe Marriott “A” kept themselves in the race with a 6-2 home win against Horsford Heroes. Sheila Redwood, Tony Frost & Kath Frost won 14-9 against Chris Woodhouse and, with Tony Turner subbing for Tony Frost, beat Vic Webster 13-5. These results leave Deaf Sports still top with 37 points from nine games, Halvergate & Thorpe Marriott “A” both on 33 points from seven games each and Diss Green also on 33 but from eight games. Horsford are still in with a chance on 30 points from seven games. First Bus are relegated to Division Three after finishing on 28 points. The question of which two teams will win promotion is still wide open as is who will go down with First Bus. In Division Three bottom club County Council scored their second win of the campaign beating Framingham Earl 6-2. The first half was shared with Framingham’s Mervyn Blaza’s triple beating Robert Cranston 14-9 while in reply Owen Cranston, Sylvia Roe & Malcolm Roe beat Karl Bunn’s triple 17-10. After the break both games went County Council’s way as Robert Cranston beat Karl Bunn 20-8 and Malcolm Roe’s triple beat Mervyn Blaza 20-8. Thorpe Marriott “B” remain firm favourites to win the Division Three title while Hingham Yellow & Watton are still in contention for the runners-up spot.

                                                                                                                                             Posted 4-8-13   

Carter cruise into Summer Cup Final

Division One giants Bob Carter cruised into the Summer Cup Final after a massive 8-0 on points, 76-22 on shots, semi-final win at Deaf Sports. With home advantage the promotion chasing Division Two side were hoping for a good start against their accomplished visitors but it was not to be. George Clarke, David Lamb & John Turner moved into a 16-0 lead against John Jeffery’s triple after eight ends on their way to a 21-3 win. Jason Woods, Melvin Woods & Trevor Brown moved into an 8-0 lead after six ends against Robin Amos’ triple before completing a 17-4 win. After the break there was no respite for Deaf Sports as Jean Woods replaced Jason Woods in Trevor Brown’s triple who went on to beat John Jeffery’s triple 19-9. Turner’s triple were unchanged and encountered few problems beating Robin Amos’ triple 19-6.  

Norfolk County Team Squad Day details announced

The Norfolk County Team Management has announced the details of this year’s Pre-Season Squad Day. It will be held at Potter’s Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk on Sunday 8-9-13 and squad players are requested to arrive by 1.15pm and meet in the Bowler’s Bar. Play will commence at around 2pm and the dress code is Norfolk County Team colours. Various combinations of play will be tried out in preparation for the 2013/14 I.C.C season. Anyone wishing to book Sunday Carvery at Zest (Potters) should phone 01502-734347, these are priced at £12.95 for two courses. Potters Leisure Resort have offered a special one night deal for any squad member, family & friends, who wish to extend their stay at Potters Leisure Resort after the Squad Day finishes. At a special price of £69 per person (brochure price £99) you can check into your room from 5pm. A five course meal with selected wine is included as well as a “drinks inclusive” evening from 6pm until bars close. Entertainment is by the Joe Loss Orchestra. Check out time is 10am on Monday morning after breakfast which is also included in the price. Booking details of this can be obtained from Teresa Goldsmith, County Fund Co-ordinator, on 01603-403628. Please note this offer is open to all NCSMBA registered players and family but numbers are limited.

Norfolk players angry at ESMBA website posting

Some Norfolk players who took part in the National Club Championships in Northants at the weekend have been angered by what they see as an unfair attempt by the ESMBA to deflect the blame on to them for their failure to only book the venue till 5pm. On their website the ESMBA has posted a write-up of the event which stated that “due to the late arrival of two of the Norfolk sides we finally run out of time so the final will be played on a future date.” (sic) Players concerned have told the NCSMBA that they did arrive late but by only ten minutes. They pointed out that the event was played to the same format as last year which saw a finish of around 8.45pm. With the venue only booked this year until 5pm the ten minutes that they arrived late could hardly be cited as the reason that there was no time to play the final. The National Club Championships have now been played for five seasons and with an entry of just sixteen teams, a quarter of them from Norfolk, it can hardly be said to have proved popular. Norfolk have been one of the few counties to actively encourage participation in the event among their clubs so whoever made the decision at the ESMBA to blame Norfolk clubs for the fact that the event had to be curtailed after the semi-finals were played should ask themselves if this was a wise move. Norfolk clubs have twice won the event with Kirby Bedon becoming the first ever National Club Champions in 2009 and Bob Carter lifting the title in 2011. Bob Carter will contest the final of this year’s competition against Somerset side Kingscliffe “A” when a venue and date is arranged.

                                                                                                                                        Posted 3-8-13

Wymondham take giant step towards runner-up spot

Wymondham took a big step towards securing the runners-up spot in Division One behind Bob Carter after taking maximum points at home to Kirby Bedon. Wymondham’s Mikey George, Jack Barrett & Jon Sparham opened on mat one against Jill Watson, John Aggas & Phil Watson. The away triple began well leading 4-1 after four ends but Sparham’s triple took the lead after scoring four shots on the sixth end. After that it was virtually one-way traffic as Sparham’s triple completed a 15-6 win. Mary Fisher, Chris Mann & Debbie Phillips faced Kirby’s Carol Aggas, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown on mat two. The Wymondham triple scored a single on the first end but followed it up with a full house six on the second and another four shots on the third. With Mary Fisher & Chris Mann both in good form, and Debbie Phillips displaying her best form of the season, there was no way back for Brown’s triple who suffered a 24-9 defeat. Debbie Phillips’ triple maintained their great form after the break beating Gerald Chilvers, John Aggas & Phil Watson 26-11. In the remaining game Wymondham brought in subs Roger Steele & Andrew Stratton to partner Jon Sparham against Carol Aggas, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown. Sparham’s triple led 10-2 after six ends but Brown’s triple fought back to cut the margin to just 11-9 with three ends to go. Sparham’s triple then clinched the game scoring ten shots over the final ends to win 21-9. The result leaves Wymondham seven points behind Kirby Bedon but with two games still to play will feel confident of overtaking their rivals. Wymondham visit Anglian Windows next Tuesday before entertaining Hevingham the following Monday.

                                                                                                                                          Posted 31-7-13       

                                                               Jon Sparham & Debbie Phillips starred in Wymondham's vital win

                                                                              

National Club Championships left unfinished

The National Club Championships, held in Northants, finished in complete farce after the final was unable to be played. Despite using the same format as last season, when the competition did not end until 8.45pm, the ESMBA only booked the venue until 5pm. Bob Carter, who won the title in 2011, reached the final after defeating Wymondham in the semi-finals. Carter’s Trevor Brown beat Wymondham’s Chris Mann 10-5 in the singles but Mikey George, Debbie Phillips, Jack Barrett & Jon Sparham hit back in the fours beating Melvin Woods’ rink 6-5. Carter’s triple of Jason Woods, David Lamb & John Turner inflicted serious damage beating Jon Sparham’s triple 11-3. In the pairs Wymondham’s Andrew Stratton & Chris Mann were losing 10-1 to Carter’s Nigel Willard & Trevor Brown before swopping over and coming back from the dead to win 11-10. With points tied at 4-4 Carter won on shots by 36-25. Bob Carter and their opponents, Kingscliffe "A" of Somerset, left the venue not knowing where or when the final will be played.

                                                                                                                                        Posted 28-7-13

                                                                   First Bus face the big drop

In Division Two First Bus went into their final two games needing to pick up serious points to stave off the threat of relegation. They were held to a 4-4 draw on their own mats by Thorpe Marriott “A” where Kath Frost’s triple beat Bob Oatway 19-18 and Tony Turner’s triple beat Colin Coman 18-10 in the first half. First Bus hit back to claim a draw with Oatway & Coman both winning. First Bus visited promotion chasing Halvergate for their last match and were beaten 6-2. Robbie Lamb’s triple opened with a 23-7 win against Colin Coman while Keith Cooke beat Bob Oatway 16-11. Oatway’s triple earned First Bus two points with a 12-10 win against Robbie Lamb but Norfolk star Keith Cooke’s 13-12 win against Colin Coman saw Halvergate over the line. It is very doubtful that the points First Bus scored will be sufficient to save them. With Watton and Hingham Yellow both still in the promotion race in Division Three their match at Watton was much anticipated. Brenda Draper’s triple gave the home side a good start beating Wendy Tweed’s triple 18-9 while Joan Bebee and Graham Tweed drew 11-11. Both games went Watton’s way in the second half as Jacqueline Capell won 14-11 and Daphne Braham won 16-11 to earn them a valuable 7-1 victory. Hingham did much better at County Council where they won 6-2 with Wendy Tweed, Janet Higgs & John Higgs winning twice. Bob Carter cruised to an easy 8-0 home win against Thorpe Marriott “A” in their Summer Cup quarter-final match with Trevor Brown’s triple winning 29-4 & 14-4 while John Turner’s triple won by 24-7 & 18-9. In the semi-finals Bob Carter have been drawn away to Deaf Sports while Halvergate visit Thorpe Marriott “B”.  

                                                                                                                                                   Posted 27-7-13

Halvergate skip Keith Cooke

Kirby Bedon & Wymondham battle on

The battle between Kirby Bedon & Wymondham to claim the runners-up spot in Division One continued unabated this week. Kirby Bedon entertained Hevingham and opened strongly with two first half wins. Shirley Brown, Carol Aggas & Joe Brown beat Maurice Kemp’s triple 25-6 after quickly building up a 14-2 lead after eight ends. Gerald Chilvers, John Aggas & Phil Watson were also fast off the mark leading Alan Bunn 8-1 after six ends before completing a 20-7 victory. After the break Kirby Bedon made sure of a maximum 8-0 win as Watson’s triple beat Kemp 21-9 and Brown’s triple beat Bunn 23-8. Wymondham matched Kirby’s scoreline by beating Anglian Windows 8-0. Mikey George, Jack Barrett & Jon Sparham beat Avril Walker’s triple 23-6 while Roger Steele, Debbie Phillips & Chris Mann beat Mike Boswell’s triple 15-12. Wymondham made changes after the break with Mary Fisher replacing Steele while Mann moved into the number two slot and Debbie Phillips took on the skips role. The changes resulted in Wymondham’s biggest win of the night, a 26-2 score. Anglian Windows almost snatched some points in the final game but Mikey George, Andrew Stratton & Jack Barrett held on for a 13-12 win against Mike Boswell.

                                                                                                                                       Posted 26-7-13

ESMBA AGM

At the ESMBA AGM, held at the Caroline Chisholm School in Northants on the 13th July, it was confirmed that Chris Hopkins and Keith Hawkins would be taking on the administration duties of the ESMBA as stated in their press release sent on the 1st of May this year. The usual discussions of where the nationals should take place was discussed at length with people still taking a dislike to mat on mat but at present this is a far cheaper alternative, although Chris Hopkins is still looking for other venues, Bromsgrove IBC is most likely where they will be held again next season. No accounts were produced on the day of the AGM as John Jackson had been taken to hospital and it was called that an EGM take place in September to sort this issue. North Yorkshire's proposal to increase management fees every two years by a fixed percentage as agreed by the delegates to the AGM was not passed with 9 votes for, 31 against and 5 abstentions. A proposal by Charles Cooper, County Chairman Elect of the Greater Manchester CSMBA, for them to be added to the list of County Associations and take a full and active role within the ICC competition was also rejected with 10 for, 21 against and 14 abstentions. Also at the AGM it was carried that Carol Hawkins would be Minute Secretary and not General Secretary and that her role would include less duties than that of Vic Jones previously, this would be noticed for next season. The vacant position of Vice Chairperson was taken by Barbara Mills of Cheshire, John Jackson would continue as Treasurer but there was uncertainty as to whether he would continue due to illness. G. Foote of Humberside was elected as Umpires Director over J. Hurst of Essex, taking over from Terry Matthews. Roy Dukes of Hertfordshire was elected onto the committee.Countdown discount cards were introduced into the AGM which is a website that gives you offers from loads of companies like Tesco, Thomas Cook etc that give you cash back or money off when purchasing through their site. The login name you will use for the website will also act as your new ESMBA membership card for the start of next season but you are not forced to use the website if you do not wish to. It was also decided that the Woodbridge trophy and Millenium Fours be cancelled this year due to the low number of entries. 

                                                               Posted 25-7-13

Four Straight Summer titles for Bob Carter

Bob Carter are Summer League Division One champions for the fourth year in a row. Jean Woods, Jason Woods & Trevor Brown stormed to wins of 33-3 and 20-8 at Anglian Windows while Glynis Willard, George Clarke & John Turner drew their first game 12-12 against Mike Boswell’s triple before winning their second half game by 15-13. Carter have now completed their league fixtures and are well clear of rivals Kirby Bedon & Wymondham who are left to fight it out for the runners-up spot. Kirby Bedon won 8-0 at home to bottom of the table Sprowston SSC. Jill Watson, John Aggas & Phil Watson won their first game 15-9 and, with Gerald Chilvers subbing for Jill Watson, won their second game 20-6 against David Dewing. Kirby’s Carol Aggas, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown won their games 14-10 & 13-10. It was a seventh successive defeat for Sprowston and with just six league points on the board they face an immediate return to Division Two. There is a fantastic race for promotion in Division Two with little separating the top five teams. Deaf Sports still top the table but the four teams below them all have games in hand. Thorpe Marriott “A” pulled off an important 5-3 win at Deaf Sports with Tony Frost, Kath Frost & Tony Turner beating Robin Amos 19-5 and then beating Richard Sutton by 14-12. Deaf Sports were also held to a 4-4 draw on their own mats by Halvergate. Deaf enjoyed a great start with Nigel Tenekoon, Richard Sutton & John Jeffery beating Donna Lamb, Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke 28-8 while Robin Amos beat Robbie Lamb by one shot. Halvergate hit back to earn the draw courtesy of a 16-6 win for Robbie Lamb and a 14-10 win for Keith Cooke. Halvergate then won 5-3 at home to Horsford Heroes with Steven Lamb’s triple scoring three points. In Division Three Hingham Green beat Watton 6-2 with Jane Frary’s triple winning 17-8 & 21-6. Halvergate reached the semi-finals of the Summer Cup with an easy 8-0 win at Horsford Heroes. Michael Savage, Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke opened with a 26-6 win against Chris Woodhouse followed by a 25-13 win against Mark Tuttle. Ray Lamb, Josh Baxter & Robbie Lamb won their games by 16-9 & 21-10. 

                                                                                                                                            Posted 21-7-13

Another Giant Killing as Deaf beat Kirby

Deaf Sports achieved yet another giant killing shock in this year’s Norfolk Summer Cup beating Division One giants Kirby Bedon on shots when their tie finished level at 4-4 on points at the Deaf Sports venue. Deaf Sports now move into the semi-finals that remarkably could only contain one top flight club providing Carter beat Thorpe Marriott “A”. Gillian Amos, Dennis Kemble & Robin Amos of Deaf Sports snatched a one shot win against Carol Aggas, Phil Watson & John Aggas in the first half but Kirby’s Shirley Brown, Jimmy Dye & Joe Brown gave Kirby a two shot interval lead beating John Jeffery’s triple 14-11. Joe Brown’s triple added an 11-10 win against Amos after the break but Rosemary Hall, Richard Sutton & John Jeffery earned Deaf an eight shot win beating John Aggas’ triple 20-9. In Division One Hevingham visited Anglian Windows and are still without a win after crashing to an 8-0 defeat. Mike Boswell’s triple beat Maurice Kemp 17-9 and then beat Vic Woods’ triple 16-13. Avril Walker’s triple opened with a 13-11 win against Vic Woods and finished with a 12-10 win against Kemp. In Division Two both Deaf Sports & Halvergate moved themselves firmly into the promotion race at the cost of First Bus. Deaf Sports won four tight games to collect a maximum 8-0 home win against First Bus. Robin Amos won his games by 14-11 & 15-9 while John Jefferys won both his games by 13-12. In their next match First Bus entertained newly promoted Halvergate and will be disappointed to have suffered a 6-2 home defeat while the visitors piled up the shots scoring 86 against 48. The first half was drawn with John Cummins, Colin Coman & Bob Oatway winning 26-6 for First Bus against Robbie Lamb’s triple while Halvergate’s Kevin Watson, Steven Lamb & Keith Cooke beat Bob Pattison’s triple 27-6. After the break Halvergate took control with Ian Mills, Ray Lamb & Robbie Lamb beating Bob Pattison’s triple 33-3 and Keith Cooke’s triple beating Bob Oatway 20-13. Hingham Yellow recorded their sixth win in seven games beating Framingham Earl 5-3 as Wendy Tweed, Malcolm Southgate & Keith Thomas beat Ray Jennings 22-4 and drew 15-15 against Karl Bunn. Ethel Pash, Joan Blaza & Ray Jennings of Framingham Earl romped to a 23-4 win against Graham Tweed’s triple in the opening session so it was a surprise to see them crash to a heavy defeat in their second game. Framingham Earl won 6-2 away to Hingham Green with Bunn’s triple winning by 15-10 & 17-3. County Council won a hotly contested match against Watton by just one shot but it was enough to earn them a 6-2 home win. Council’s Andy Couperthwaite, Sylvia Roe & Malcolm Roe beat Margaret Hunter’s triple 12-11 and followed with a 13-9 win against Roger Braham’s triple while Rob Cranston’s triple beat Roger Braham 11-10. Watton’s win was earned by Margaret Hunter’s triple when they beat Rob Cranston 15-10.  

                                                                                                                                                Posted 14-7-13

 

Norwich Cup draw sends last season’s finalists on the road

The Norwich Cup draw was conducted at the Bure League AGM in Woodbastwick and handed tricky first round ties to both last season’s finalists. Cup holders Bob Carter of the Tens League travel to Breckland League side Hingham while last season’s runners-up Coltishall are away to fellow Bure League side Horsford Heroes. Woodbastwick entertain Kirby Bedon in an all Bure League clash while the visit of Halvergate to Sprowston of the City of Norwich League should produce a cracking game of bowls. Framingham Earl has been drawn at home to Thorpe Marriott in an all City League encounter. It will be a trip into the unknown for Coastal League side Bradwell who are drawn away to Forncett, notorious as a side difficult to beat on their own mats in this competition. In recent years Forncett have dumped both Hempnall & Kirby Bedon out of the Norwich Cup. The remaining ten teams received a bye into the Second Round where Breckland giants Wymondham are at home to Hevingham and Felthorpe are at home to Hempnall. Connaught “A” entertain Horsford BC and Connaught “B” are also drawn at home where they play fellow Breckland League side Watton. First Bus are at home to the winners of the Forncett v Bradwell game while Cromer visit the winners of the Hingham v Bob Carter match. The other second round ties are Horsford Heroes or Coltishall v Framingham Earl or Thorpe Marriott and Woodbastwick or Kirby Bedon v Sprowston or Halvergate. 

Bure Cup holders avoid Preliminary Round

Bure Cup holders Kirby Bedon avoided the Preliminary Round stage of the Bure Cup when the draw was conducted at the Bure League AGM. Halvergate were drawn to face Hevingham in the preliminary round while Horsford BC play East Tuddenham and Coltishall play Thorpe Marriott. In the First Round Kirby Bedon will face the winners of the Halvergate v Hevingham tie while Anglian Windows play the winners of the Coltishall v Thorpe Marriott match. In the remaining games Horsford Heroes play Cromer and last season’s runners-up Woodbastwick play either Horsford BC or East Tuddenham.

                                                                                                                                                      Posted 12-7-13

Wymondham lose their way

Wymondham’s determined efforts to secure that elusive first ever Summer League title would appear to be in pieces yet again as they suffered a 6-2 home defeat at the hands of defending champions Bob Carter. After three matches without a win Wymondham now find themselves in third place trailing both Bob Carter & Kirby Bedon after failing to collect the maximum points that they desperately needed from this vital encounter. Wymondham’s Mark Linsdell, Debbie Phillips & Jon Sparham were determined to end their poor run of results but conceded a five and a three to trail 8-2 after just three ends against Carter’s George Clarke, Melvin Woods & Trevor Brown. These ends proved fatal as Brown’s triple carved out a 16-11 win. Wymondham’s first half misery was completed as Andrew Jackson, Jack Barrett & Chris Mann saw a 6-1 lead evaporate as Carter’s Nigel Willard, David Lamb & John Turner came from behind to win 13-9. After the break Mark Linsdell was switched to skip but this change failed to prevent his triple suffering their sixth consecutive defeat as they went down by 15-11 to John Turner’s triple. Chris Mann’s triple scored the home sides only win beating Trevor Brown’s triple 20-14 after picking up nine shots on ends seven & nine.

                                                                                                                                                         Posted 10-7-13

Thorpe Marriott "B" are Summer Cup Giant Killers

In the Summer Cup Div Three side Thorpe Marriott “B” reached the semi-finals with a 6-2 home win against Div One side Sprowston SSC. Morgan Warnes, David Knights & Simon Warnes led the giant killers to success with a 14-6 win against Les Chadwick’s triple and a 22-8 win against John Poynter’s triple while Margaret McPherson, John Jarvis & Richard Perkins added a 15-10 win against Les Chadwick.  Wymondham’s hopes of keeping pace with Division One pacesetters Bob Carter took a turn for the worse as they slumped to a 6-2 defeat at Kirby Bedon. Carol Aggas, John Aggas & Phil Watson revived memories of Kirby’s glory days as they crushed the talented young trio of Mikey George, Chris Mann & Jack Barrett by a massive 24-4 margin. Shirley Brown, Jimmy Dye & Joe Brown made it a perfect first half for Kirby beating Mark Linsdell, Debbie Phillips & Jon Sparham by 13-9. Watson’s triple made sure of victory with a 15-6 second half win against Jon Sparham’s triple. Andrew Stratton replaced Mikey George in the second half and with Chris Mann skipping and Jack Barrett at number two they picked up two points beating Joe Brown’s triple 16-12. Carter meanwhile eased their way to an 8-0 home win against Sprowston with Trevor Brown’s triple winning 20-9 & 34-5 and John Turner’s triple winning by 21-8 & 20-10. Div Two leaders Diss saw their promotion chances take a hit after two defeats. Diss went down by 6-2 at home to Deaf Sports where Robin Amos skipped his triple to a 20-7 win and an 11-11 draw and John Jeffery’s triple won 23-11 and drew 12-12. Diss also lost 7-1 at Horsford Heroes where Mark “The Marvel” Tuttle won his games by 17-12 & 18-8. In Division Three Thorpe Marriott “B” made it six straight wins with an 8-0 away win at Hingham Green. Morgan Warnes, David Knights & Simon Warnes piled the pressure on Hingham Green with wins of 15-7 & 21-5 while John Jarvis won his games by 14-13 & 15-10. Hingham Green also lost 8-0 at Watton where Margaret Hunter’s triple won 23-4 & 21-8 while Roger Braham won 15-10 & 31-1. Hingham Yellow won 7-1 at home to County Council to keep their promotion hopes on track with Wendy Tweed, Janet Higgs & John Higgs winning by 13-11 & 17-9.  

                                                                                                                                                           Posted 6-7-13

David Durrant Memorial Trophy

Shirley Brown, Gerald Chilvers & Joe Brown of Kirby Bedon retained the David Durrant Memorial Trophy at Thorpe Marriott where they won the tournament for the third year in a row. An exciting final saw Joe Brown’s triple face Anglian Windows favourites Brenda Sizer, Diane Boswell & Mike Boswell with the Kirby Bedon triple edging home by 11-7. In the semi-finals the Kirby Bedon triple played Simon Warnes’ Horsford BC triple with a tremendous game finishing level. An extra end was necessary to determine the finalists with the defending champions coming out on top. The other semi-final saw Boswell’s triple defeat George Munford’s First Bus triple by 11-6. A raffle held in aid of Quidenham Children’s Hospice raised £116 and this sum was topped up to £200 with money raised from a fund raising event held the previous weekend.

Kirby Bedon end Wymondham’s unbeaten run

Wymondham’s hopes of keeping pace with Division One pacesetters Bob Carter took a turn for the worse as their unbeaten run came to a sticky end at Kirby Bedon where they lost 6-2. Carol Aggas, John Aggas & Phil Watson revived memories of Kirby’s glory days as they crushed the talented young trio of Mikey George, Chris Mann & Jack Barrett by a massive 24-4 margin. Shirley Brown, Jimmy Dye & Joe Brown made it a perfect first half for Kirby beating Mark Linsdell, Debbie Phillips & Jon Sparham by 13-9. Watson’s triple made sure of victory with a 15-6 second half win against Jon Sparham’s triple. Andrew Stratton replaced Mikey George in the second half and with Chris Mann skipping and Jack Barrett at number two Wymondham picked up two points beating Joe Brown’s triple 16-12.

                                                                                                    Posted 3-7-13

              

Carter stretch lead at top of Div One

Summer League Division One leaders Bob Carter remain unbeaten but had to settle for a 4-4 draw at Drayton against Hevingham. Carter looked on their way to an easy home win in the first half as Glynis Willard, George Clarke & Nigel Willard beat Maurice Kemp’s triple 19-5 and Jean, Jason & Melvin Woods beat Alan Bunn’s triple 21-6. After the break Hevingham hit back to level the match with Vic Woods, Pat Williamson & Alan Bunn beating Willard’s triple 11-10 and Janet Kemp, David Sharpe & Maurice Kemp beating Melvin Woods’ triple 20-14. In their second match of the week Carter visited Kirby Bedon and won 8-0. Jason Woods, Melvin Woods & Trevor Brown beat Joe Brown’s triple by one shot while Nigel Willard, David Lamb & John Turner beat Phil Watson’s triple 16-8. After the break Brown’s triple beat Watson 21-10 while Turner’s triple beat Brown 27-6. Newly promoted Sprowston SSC continue to find life tough in the top flight, they suffered an 8-0 defeat on their own mats against Kirby Bedon. Leonora Chilman, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown opened with an 18-9 win against Linda Chadwick, Les Chadwick & David Dewing. Jill Watson, Gerald Chilvers & Phil Watson completed a successful first half for the visitors beating John Poynter’s triple 14-13. After the break Sprowston brought in Terry Fletcher for Dewing but their triple suffered another defeat going down by 14-6 to Watson’s triple. Joe Brown’s triple completed the rout beating Poynter 19-12. Diss Green lead Division Two after drawing 4-4 at Halvergate. C Smith, K Buck & Will Hogan scored a solid 15-8 win for the visitors against Donna Lamb, Robbie Lamb & Keith Cooke while Gill Coleman, Trish Taylor & Terry Newby beat Ian Mills, Ray Lamb & Steven Lamb 20-13. Halvergate recovered from this early blow to gain a draw with Steven Lamb’s triple winning 17-9 and Keith Cooke’s triple winning 13-8. Halvergate fared less well at home to Deaf Sports as they crashed to a 6-2 defeat. Gillian Amos, Laura Hawksworth & Robin Amos won twice for Deaf Sports beating Donna Lamb, Robbie Lamb & Keith Cooke 13-12 and then beat Ray Lamb, Steven Lamb & Josh Baxter 14-11 with Dennis Kemble subbing for Gillian Amos. John Jeffery’s triple added a 14-11 win for Deaf Sports against Keith Cooke while Michael Savage, Ray Lamb & Steven Lamb scored the home side’s only win of the night beating John Jeffery’s triple 22-10. Horsford Heroes kept themselves in the promotion race beating First Bus 6-2. Sue Fox, Andy Drummie & Mark Tuttle beat Bob Oatway’s triple 17-11 and drew 13-13 with Colin Coman. Peter Fox, Carol Kemp & Vic Webster beat Colin Coman’s triple 21-7 and drew 16-16 with Bob Oatway. Thorpe Marriott “B” are now thirteen points clear in Division Three as they made it five wins in a row with an 8-0 away win at Framingham Earl. Morgan Warnes, David Knights & Simon Warnes opened with a terrific 26-7 win against Karl Bunn’s triple while Dorothy Muttitt, John Jarvis & Richard Perkins beat Mervyn Blaza’s triple 20-7. There was to be no comeback for Framingham Earl as Marriott “B” piled on the pressure after the break with Simon Warnes winning 17-7 against Blaza and Richard Perkins beating Karl Bunn 12-8. 

                                                                                                                              Posted 30-06-13

Cup draw gives Carter another home match

The quarter-final draw of the Summer Cup has taken place with cup holders Bob Carter drawn at home to Div Two side Thorpe Marriott “A”. Remarkably only three Div One teams are still in the competition. Kirby Bedon have been drawn away to Deaf Sports of Div Two while Sprowston SSC are drawn away to Div Three leaders Thorpe Marriott “B”. The remaining tie is an all Div Two affair with Horsford Heroes entertaining Halvergate.

Poor start for Sprowston & Hevingham

Sprowston’s return to Division One has not seen the team make the best of starts. A 6-2 loss at Anglian Windows leaves Sprowston in trouble early on in the season with both themselves and Hevingham already close to losing touch with the rest of the division. Both Windows and Sprowston were promoted last season and both teams had failed to taste victory so far in the top flight. In the opening session both games were tight but both went Windows way. Avril Walker, a tenacious opponent, skipped her triple to a 14-11 win against John Poynter while Mike Boswell’s triple beat Terry Fletcher 13-12. Boswell found life easier after the break beating Poynter 22-13 but Terry Fletcher’s triple picked up two points for Sprowston SSC beating Keith Halford’s triple 18-11. Defending champions Bob Carter inflicted a 7-1 home defeat on Hevingham with Trevor Brown’s triple winning 22-8 & 18-7. George V. Clarke’s triple drew 14-14 with Maurice Kemp in the first half but beat Alan Bunn by one shot in the second half. In Division Two a great battle is taking place with leaders Diss Green  on 20 points and First Bus & Thorpe Marriott “A” both on eighteen points. Diss visited First Bus and will be delighted to have collected a maximum 8-0 win. Will Hogan’s triple won by 15-8 & 20-14 while Graham Mobbs won by 16-15 & 18-12. In their next game Diss entertained Horsford Heroes and won by 6-2 with Hogan’s triple winning twice yet again. Thorpe Marriott “A” had to settle for a 4-4 draw at home to First Bus. Bob Oatway’s triple won by 12-10 & 22-8 for First Bus while Kath Frost & Peter Walker won a game apiece for Marriott. Newly promoted Halvergate opened their campaign with a solid 6-2 win at Thorpe Marriott “A”. Kevin Watson, Steven Lamb & Josh Baxter were on form for Halvergate winning their games by 17-12 & 16-8. John Jefferies of Deaf Sports skipped his triple to wins of 17-7 & 14-10 as they drew 4-4 at Horsford Heroes. In Division Three Thorpe Marriott “B” are five points clear at the top after winning 6-2 at Hingham Yellow where Simon Warnes won twice. Hingham Yellow won 6-2 at Framingham Earl though where Keith Thomas won twice. Watton’s Margaret Hunter won by 26-4 & 14-5 as her side beat County Council 8-0. Hingham Green won 6-2 at County Council with Jane Frary’s triple winning 18-12 & 19-8. In the Summer Cup Thorpe Marriott “B” reached the last eight beating Hingham Green 8-0. Morgan Warnes, David Knights & Simon Warnes romped to wins of 19-4 & 20-7 while Richard Perkins’ triple won 17-9 & 14-4.

                                                                                                                          Posted 23-6-13

After two wins Mike Boswell of Anglian Windows can relax

Jack the Lad shines at Carter

Summer League Division One action saw Wymondham visit defending champions Bob Carter where they had suffered a mauling in the cup the previous week. Wymondham restored their pride with a fighting performance that saw them gain a vital 4-4 draw to keep their title hopes alive despite the absence of former England bowler Chris Mann through illness. The reshuffled Wymondham side saw young Jack Barrett given the opportunity to move into the skips spot and he delivered the goods producing a man of the match performance. With Andrew Stratton at lead, and former Carter player Brian Saunders at number two, Barrett won his first game 13-9. His triple’s second half result though left the home triple of Jason Woods, George Clarke & David Lamb stunned as Barrett stormed to a 27-3 win. Ironically for Carter it was exactly ten years before that one of their triples last suffered a home defeat of this magnitude when Kirby Bedon’s Jill Watson, Alistair Hunter & Selwyn Goldsmith inflicted a 30-5 defeat on Melvin Woods’ triple in a Summer League Division One clash. Wymondham’s other triple comprising Mark Linsdell, Debbie Phillips & Jon Sparham fought hard but lost their games by close margins. Carter star Trevor Brown denied them victory in the second half with a great last bowl. On the previous night Wymondham won 6-2 at Sprowston with Mikey George, Jack Barrett & Chris Mann beating John Poynter’s triple 21-8 in the opening session. Mark Linsdell, Debbie Phillips & Jon Sparham made it a perfect first half for Wymondham beating Terry Fletcher’s triple 20-9. In the second half Sparham’s triple added a 17-7 win against John Poynter. Sprowston’s two points were collected by L Mason, Terry Fletcher & David Fuller who beat Chris Mann’s triple 13-12 after a winning last bowl by Fletcher on the final end. Hevingham failed to take advantage of a home draw in their Summer Cup match against Kirby Bedon as the visitors went through to the last eight on shots when the game finished level on points. The opening session was shared with Hevingham’s Janet Kemp, David Sharpe & Maurice Kemp beating Kirby’s Jill Watson, Jimmy Dye & Phil Watson 21-13. Kirby Bedon took a two shot lead as Gerald Chilvers, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown beat Alan Bunn’s triple 20-10. After the break Maurice Kemp’s triple, with Mervyn Williamson replacing Janet Kemp, won again beating Joe Brown’s triple 14-13 but this was not enough to deny the visitors victory. Jill Watson, Jimmy Dye & Phil Watson clinched the match for Kirby Bedon beating Alan Bunn’s triple 16-8.

                                                                                                                   Posted 22-6-13

                                                        Jack Barrett was Wymondham's man of the match at Carter

Wymondham fail the Carter test

Last season Bob Carter beat Wymondham 7-1 in the Summer Cup Final and the score-line was repeated this week as Carter disposed of rivals Wymondham in a keenly anticipated first round clash. Bob Carter’s Jason Woods, Melvin Woods & Trevor Brown made an amazing start as they stormed into a 13-0 lead after just six ends against the powerful all Norfolk Premier team triple of Jack Barrett, Debbie Phillips & Chris Mann. In an attempt to change things Debbie Phillips moved to skip with Chris Mann leading but the Carter triple were in no mood to take their foot off the gas pedal and finished with an astounding 22-1 win against three of the most talented bowlers in the county. Wymondham’s Andrew Stratton, Mark Linsdell & Jon Sparham did better on mat two as they drew 13-13 against Carter’s Nigel Willard, George Clarke & David Lamb. Lamb’s triple led 12-7 with three ends remaining but Sparham’s triple scored six shots over two ends to take a 13-12 lead. A tense final end saw Lamb’s triple score a single against the run of play to level the game. After the break Chris Mann’s triple had a better game against David Lamb’s triple but still slipped to defeat as the Carter triple sealed victory and a place in the second round. In the remaining game Jean Woods, Jason Woods & Melvin Woods beat Jon Sparham’s triple to leave Carter celebrating the 7-1 home win. Summer League Division One action saw Kirby Bedon collect a maximum 8-0 home win against Anglian Windows. Jill Watson, Jimmy Dye & Phil Watson beat Avril Walker’s triple 16-11 while Gerald Chilvers, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown beat Mike Boswell’s triple 19-9. In the second half Leonora Chilman, Shirley Brown & Joe Brown won 16-4 and Jackie Tunmore, Jimmy Dye & Phil Watson added an 11-10 win. Norfolk Over 60’s entertained Kent Invicta at Lakeside but a poor first session proved fatal. The visitors established a 16-4 points lead after the opening ten games but after four sessions Norfolk Over 60s had cut the lead to just 43-37. That was as good as it got though as the visitors won the last two sessions to finish winners by 68-52.
                                                                                                                                               Posted 16-6-13
 

Hoodies, hats and iPods banned

The NCSMBA Management Committee has moved quickly to implement a new code of conduct rule covering all matches played under its umbrella. At the recent Norfolk AGM, held at Hevingham, delegates raised the issue of the growing use of personal electronic equipment on the mats during games. Other issues that delegates raised at the AGM was clothing and the practice of players carrying pints of beer etc from end to end with the risk of damage to bowls mats. The view of club delegates at the AGM was that the N.C.S.M.B.A Management Committee should address the issues at the earliest opportunity. At a Management Committee meeting held this week at Kirby Bedon it was agreed that a new ruling was necessary. After an in-depth discussion on the points raised at the AGM the following rule was implemented.

 

CODE OF CONDUCT & DRESS CODE: The following rules apply to all matches played under the umbrella of the N.C.S.M.B.A and failure to comply may result in disciplinary action being taken by the appropriate League or the N.C.S.M.B.A.

1. During the course of play, the use of personal electronic equipment in playing area, and the carrying of drinks and food up and down mats or rinks, is strictly prohibited.
2. Hoodie type garments and the wearing of hats or caps are not allowed, unless on accepted medical grounds.    

The committee also passed a clarification to membership rules regarding out of county applications. Both rulings have been added to the Appendix of the Constitution and can be found on the appropriate webpage on this site. The League Secretary of each of the Recognised Leagues of the Association will receive confirmation of the rulings which take immediate effect. 

                                                                                                                                                               Posted 14-6-13

Heroes hit the cup trail at Framingham Earl

Horsford Heroes earned themselves a place in the second round of the Summer Cup with a 6-2 away win at Framingham Earl. The match went the way of the form book as the Div Two outfit won three of the four games. Andy Drummie, Sue Fox & Chris Woodhouse scored a solid 23-10 win against Mervyn Blaza’s triple before beating Karl Bunn’s triple 13-12. Mally Kemp, Carol Kemp & Vic Webster won Horsford’s third game beating Mervyn Blaza 17-16. Karl Bunn’s triple scored a consolation win for the Div Three side beating Vic Webster 24-12. Sprowston SSC of Div One scored a maximum 8-0 home win against Div Three team County Council to secure their place in the next round. Linda Chadwick, David Fuller & Terry Fletcher beat Malcolm Roe’s triple 19-12 and according to the match card Fletcher then added two more wins on the night but I have a distinct feeling someone filled in the card incorrectly! Div One action saw Mike Boswell’s triple earn Anglian Windows a 4-4 draw at home to Kirby Bedon with two good wins. In the first half Russell Daynes, Diane Boswell & Mike Boswell beat Carol Aggas, Phil Watson & John Aggas 16-10 but Kirby Bedon hit back with a solid 18-6 win by Shirley Brown, Gerald Chilvers & Joe Brown against Keith Halford’s triple. Pam Daynes substituted for Russell Daynes in Boswell’s second half triple as they beat Joe Brown’s triple 18-9. John Aggas, with Jill Watson substituting for Carol Aggas, earned Kirby a draw beating Keith Halford 14-12. In Div Two First Bus will be hoping to regain their place in the top flight and continued to make good progress with a 6-2 home win against Deaf Sport. Julia Cummins, Elaine Oatway & Colin Coman put in a good shift beating John Jefferey 15-9 and Robin Amos 12-9. Bob Oatway’s triple scored a 19-7 win against John Jefferey but went down 18-5 to Norfolk Squad bowler Robin Amos. Thorpe Marriott “B” have made a very good start in Div Three and continued their run with a 7-1 home win against Watton. Bright young prospect Morgan Warnes led for Tony Hart & Simon Warnes as they beat Margaret Hunter’s triple 16-12 and Roger Braham’s triple 14-11. Richard Perkins’ triple beat Braham 16-12 but had to settle for a 13-13 draw against Margaret Hunter. Hingham Green & County Council had not yet managed to avoid defeat in the league this season so a 4-4 draw was probably welcomed by both teams. Malcolm Roe & John Gosling collected a win apiece for visitors County Council while Ken Buller and Tony Fennell each won for Hingham. 

                                                                                                                              Posted 9-6-13  

President's Distinguished Service award presented at Norfolk AGM

The Norfolk Short Mat Bowls Association held its Annual General Meeting at Hevingham. The President, Brian Saunders of Wymondham, and Vice-President Bob Oatway of First Bus presented the President’s Distinguished Service Award to Selwyn Goldsmith of Kirby Bedon in recognition of an exceptional contribution to short mat bowls in Norfolk. Goldsmith was elected as Chairman for the eighteenth successive year and also serves as both Press & Web Secretary and Norfolk County Manager. The County Cup draw for the 2013/14 season was conducted at the meeting. Holders Bob Carter were drawn at home to Hingham while last season’s runners-up Connaught “A” were drawn at home to Bradwell. The tie of the round sees Wymondham visiting Coltishall. Defending Summer League champions Bob Carter inflicted an 8-0 home defeat on newly promoted Sprowston SSC in Division One. Jamie Forster, Jason Woods & Melvin Woods opened with a 23-9 win against John Poynter’s triple and followed that up with a 17-5 second half win against David Dewing’s triple. Jean Woods, Nigel Willard & John Turner beat David Dewing’s triple 20-15 and after the break scored the night’s biggest win beating John Poynter’s triple 25-7 as Sprowston suffered a painful home defeat. Kirby Bedon won 6-2 at Hevingham with Shirley Brown, Gerald Chilvers & Joe Brown scoring maximum points with wins of 17-12 & 14-8. Maurice Kemp’s triple scored a first half 13-7 win for Hevingham against Carol Aggas, Phil Watson & John Aggas but the Aggas triple won 12-11 in the second half against Vic Woods’ triple. In Division Two Thorpe Marriott “A” beat Deaf Sports 6-2 with Janet Pinchen, Tony Frost & Trevor Pinchen winning by 14-11 & 16-12. Kath Frost’s triple added a 12-11 win for Thorpe Marriott while John Jeffrey’s triple won 14-9 for Deaf Sports. Division Three action saw Framingham Earl win 5-3 at home to County Council with Karl Bunn’s triple winning 15-8 & 17-9 while Mervyn Blaza’s triple drew 10-10 with R Cranston’s triple. Owen Cranston, Sylvia Roe & Malcolm Roe scored County Council’s only win beating Melvyn Blaza’s triple 15-13. County Council also went down 6-2 at Thorpe Marriott “B” where Morgan Warnes, David Knights & Simon Warnes won 18-6 & 17-8. Richard Perkins scored a 17-8 win to clinch the match for the home side while Robert Cranston’s triple won 15-11 for County Council. Summer Cup action saw Anglian Windows & Halvergate involved in a terrific tussle. Diane Halford, Diane Boswell & Mike Boswell gave Windows a good start beating Robbie Lamb’s triple 11-6 but Josh Baxter’s Halvergate triple hit back with a 12-9 win against Avril Walker’s triple. The second half was also drawn as Lamb won 13-10 and Boswell won 12-11 to leave the match level at 4-4 on points and 42-42 on shots. The sudden death extra end was won by Halvergate who progress to the second round. Thorpe Marriott “A” had little trouble making it through beating Watton 8-0. Kath Frost’s triple won by 19-9 & 24-3 while Trevor Pinchen won 17-13 and Peter Walker won by 22-13. 

                                                                                                                    Posted 2-6-13

                                 Vice President Bob Oatway, Chairman Selwyn Goldsmith & President Brian Saunders

Hevingham win on shots at Diss

A close Summer Cup match at Diss saw Division One visitors Hevingham win by three shots after the match finished level on points at 4-4. Colin Smith, Keith Buck & Graham Mobbs gave the home team a great start beating Mervyn Williamson, Pat Williamson & Alan Bunn 20-10 but Janet Kemp, David Sharpe & Maurice Kemp kept Hevingham level on points beating Will Hoggan’s triple 16-10. Gill Coleman, Trish Taylor & Will Hoggan enjoyed a better second half beating Hevingham’s Alan Bunn 16-12 but a terrific 16-5 win for Maurice Kemp’s triple earned Hevingham a home game against fellow Div One side Kirby Bedon in the next round. Division Two side Deaf Sports entertained Hingham Yellow from Division Three and recorded a 6-2 home win despite the night’s biggest win going to the visitors. Norfolk bowler Robin Amos skipped his triple to a big 20-3 win against John Higgs’ Hingham triple and John Jeffrey’s triple added a 13-10 win to put Deaf 4-0 up on points at the break. A tight 11-10 win for Amos in the second half clinched the match for Deaf Sports but Wendy Tweed, Keith Thomas & G Wilcox scored a superb 26-8 consolation win for Hingham Yellow against John Jeffrey’s triple. Wymondham began their Division One campaign with a 6-2 away win at Hevingham. Mark Linsdell, Jack Barrett & Jon Sparham won both their games beating Maurice Kemp 16-10 & Vic Woods 12-11. Pat Williamson, Alan Bunn & Vic Woods opened for Hevingham with an 18-10 win against Chris Mann but after the break Mann’s triple beat Kemp’s triple 17-9. Three nights later Wymondham entertained Sprowston and won by 6-2 again although they scored 79 shots against 32. Roger Steele, Debbie Phillips & Chris Mann were in sparkling form winning by 23-4 & 24-2 while John Sparham’s triple added a 17-8 win. Linda Chadwick, Les Chadwick & David Dewing collected Sprowston’s two points beating Sparham 18-15. Defending champions Bob Carter beat newly promoted Anglian Windows 6-2 with John Turner’s triple winning 25-11 in both their games. David Lamb’s Carter triple won 25-2 while Ken Dease, Maureen Dease & Mike Boswell scored a 15-14 win for Windows against David Lamb. In Division Two Horsford won 6-2 at First Bus where R Hart, Sue Fox & Mark Tuttle won both their games and Peter Fox, Russell Hubbard & Vic Webster added a third. Bob Oatway scored a first half 12-10 win for the home side. First Bus fared better at Diss where they won 6-2 with Elaine Oatway, Bob Pattison & Colin Coman winning 26-4 & 16-4. Bob Oatway’s triple added a 14-11 win to secure victory while Gill Coleman, Trish Taylor & Terry Newby beat Bob Oatway’s triple 16-10 for their their team’s two points. In Division Three Framingham Earl beat Watton 6-2 with Mervyn Blaza’s triple winning by 14-11 & 16-10. Karl Bunn’s triple added their third win while Margaret Hunter’s triple scored Watton’s 17-13 win against Bunn.

                                                                                                                  Posted 26-5-13

Here comes the Summer!

Wymondham started their summer season with an 8-0 battering of visitors First Bus in their Summer Cup Preliminary Round clash. Roger Steele, Debbie Phillips & Chris Mann opened against Elaine Oatway, Bob Pattison & Colin Coman and quickly pulled away leading 13-1 after nine ends. There was no way back for Coman’s triple that were eventually beaten by 22-5. Things were not much better for First Bus on the other mat as Mikey George, Jack Barrett & Jon Sparham beat Bob Oatway’s triple 21-8. With the match all but won Wymondham brought on substitutes Mary Fisher & Mark Linsdell in place of George & Sparham while moving young Jack Barrett to skip for the second half game against Colin Coman’s triple. It made little difference though as Coman’s triple slumped to a 17-6 defeat against the revamped Wymondham triple. Meanwhile Chris Mann’s unchanged triple beat Bob Oatway’s triple 18-8 to complete an impressive opening game in Wymondham’s summer campaign. They are unlikely to find things quite so comfortable in the next round though as they face a trip to the mighty Bob Carter who beat Wymondham 7-1 in last season’s Summer Cup Final. In the only other preliminary round tie Division Two side Diss entertain Division One side Hevingham and will hope to produce the first giant killing act of the season. In the new slimmed down Norfolk Summer League there are just six teams in each of the three divisions. Bob Carter will start as firm favourites to retain their title in Division One with Wymondham likely to pose the biggest threat to them followed by Kirby Bedon. Bob Carter began their defence of the title with their convincing 7-1 home win against Kirby Bedon sending out a clear signal that they are as hungry as ever for further success. Newly promoted Anglian Windows & Sprowston will probably find themselves in a dogfight with Hevingham to avoid a quick return to Division Two. The opening match in Division Two saw Thorpe Marriott & Diss Green draw 4-4. Former Marriott player Will Hoggan beat Tony Turner’s triple 19-12 and G Mobbs’ triple beat Sylvia Turner 15-7 to give the visitors a great start. After the break Thorpe Marriott recovered well as Tony Turner beat G Mobbs 22-11 and Trevor Pinchen’s triple defeated Will Hoggan 22-12. Newly promoted Halvergate will no doubt be hoping to continue their climb up the league and many will fancy them for the Division Two title. There looks little to choose between the rest and this could be a very close division. In Division Three Framingham Earl opened with a 5-3 home win against Hingham Green. Mervyn Blaza’s triple led the way with a 14-3 win and a 13-13 draw to earn three of their points. It is not that long ago that Framingham Earl were competing in the top flight and maybe this year is the one they will begin to climb back up the league. Hingham is now the only club in the Summer League fielding two teams which clearly demonstrates the falling number of bowlers playing short mat bowls throughout the year. Both Hingham teams are in Division Three and Hingham Yellow beat Hingham Green 6-2 in their first match with Gordon Wilcox winning 13-11 & 16-11. They completed the double over Hingham Green by winning the return match by the same margin with Keith Thomas winning his game by 24-9.

                                                                                                                              Posted 23-5-13

Potters East Coast Triples & Pairs - Boswell & Orpin Triumph

The second Potter’s East Coast Triples & Pairs event at Potter’s Leisure Resort proved an outstanding success. A great finish to the East Coast Triples saw Anglian Windows skip Mike Boswell beat Carlton Colville’s Margaret Barley on shots with both tied on 27 points after four days play. In the East Coast Pairs there was an emotional win for Paul Cairns & Tony Orpin of Essex side East Hanningfield who beat Margaret & Malcolm Reynolds of RG Carter in the final. Kerry Greenacre of Haddiscoe and Diane Boswell and Mike Boswell of Anglian Windows enjoyed a great East Coast Triples opening day winning all their five games as did Shirley Brown of Costessey and Margaret & Malcolm Reynolds of RG Carter. Boswell added four wins from five games on day two to retain the lead two points ahead of Reynold’s triple and Paul Swain, Derek Barley & Margaret Barley. Boswell looked almost home and dry after three day’s play which left him on 26 points with Barley on 23 and Reynolds losing ground on 21. Only two games remained on the last day and Boswell needed only one point to lift the trophy but his triple suffered a 7-4 defeat against Margaret Barley’s triple to set up an intriguing last session. Boswell faced Cambridgeshire’s Lonnie Fyson and found himself in a fierce battle while Barley was storming ahead against Tony Orpin’s Essex triple on the adjoining mat. If Boswell lost this match Barley would have completed a great last day comeback but Boswell achieved a 5-5 draw to leave his triple level with Barley on points but with a vastly superior shots difference. Malcolm Reynold’s triple finished in third place. The East Coast Pairs Final saw Paul Cairns & Tony Orpin of East Hanningfield face Margaret & Malcolm Reynolds of RG Carter. After the Reynolds pair took a single on the first end good bowling by Cairns & Orpin earned them a 2-1 lead after two ends. Margaret Reynolds bowling was the difference on the next end as RG Carter levelled the game at 2-2. Tony Orpin finished off a rather messy fourth end with a perfect draw shot to take two shots and a 4-2 lead and produced the goods once again on the next end to lead 5-2. Paul Cairns opened the next end with a lovely draw shot onto the jack but Margaret Reynolds responded with a good backhand bowl. The end was ultimately decided by a fortunate last wood by the RG Carter skip that unintentionally knocked in a Carter bowl for shot. Two excellent bowls by Orpin extended their lead to 8-3 on the seventh end with two ends remaining. Malcolm Reynolds found himself two shots down with one wood to play on the penultimate end but his running wood failed to negotiate a short bowl leaving the Essex pair 10-3 up and in an unbeatable position. The players decided to play the last end with Carter taking three shots leaving Cairns & Orpin 10-6 winners. Tony Orpin had originally entered the event with his wife Jenny Orpin who later sadly passed away. Naturally the event was an emotional one for Tony, as his bowling friends at Potters were fully aware, and his win was a popular one among his fellow players. In the third place play-off Peter & Sue Fox of Horsford Heroes beat Gwen & Richard Brown of Kent side Boughton under Water. The week got off to a superb start for bowlers as they enjoyed a 5 course dinner with wine in the Garden Restaurant on Monday evening followed by a performance by the Illegal Eagles in the Atlas Theatre who performed all the Eagles classic hits such as Hotel California, New Kid in Town and One of These Nights.  

Potters East Coast Triples Winners

Kerry Greenacre, Mike Boswell & Diane Boswell

Potters East Coast Triple Runners-Up

Derek Barley, Margaret Barley & Paul Swain

Potters East Coast Triples 3rd Place

Shirley Brown, Malcolm Reynolds, Margaret Reynolds

Potters East Coast Pairs Winners

Paul Cairns & Tony Orpin

Potters East Coast Pairs Runners-Up

Malcolm & Margaret Reynolds

Potters East Coast Pairs 3rd Place

Peter & Sue Fox

                                                                       Posted 10-5-13