Rain, Relief and a Road to Leamington
County Finals Weekend
County Finals Weekend brought mixed fortunes for Courtfield, but there was one outstanding achievement to celebrate.
First, the good news.
Mr Chris, John B, Chaos and Carsy took on the young Aspatria quartet in the County Fours Final at Whitehaven on Sunday. Every member of the Courtfield rink needed to be at the top of their game, and they certainly were. They raced into an early lead and, despite conceding a nervy five late on, held their nerve to lift the title.
The winning four would also like to thank George Gray, who stepped in as a substitute in an earlier round and played his part in helping the team reach the county final.
The Fab Four have done it again and, more importantly, have booked their place at Leamington. Everyone at Courtfield wishes them the very best of luck in the National Championships.
Saturday's action at Wigton saw Gill take on Vicky Cook of Workington in the County Singles Final. Gill had made the brighter start and led 8–4 before heavy rain brought play to a lengthy halt. Thanks to the efforts of the many volunteers who cleared the green, play was eventually able to resume. After the restart, Vicky found her rhythm and came through to win 21–11. A fantastic run from Gill, and we wish both players every success when they represent Cumbria at Leamington.
Also on Saturday, Kev, Dai, Ian P and George G faced Aspatria in the Senior Fours Final. It was an evenly contested match throughout, but a costly count of seven proved decisive as Aspatria claimed the title. It was another excellent run from the Courtfield quartet, and no doubt they'll be back challenging again next season.
Congratulations to all of our finalists on representing Courtfield so well.
Full results are available on the Cumbria Bowling Association website.
Carliol League
The A Team welcomed Kirkbride in what looked very much like a battle for the runners-up spot.
The teams shared the rinks, winning two each, but Courtfield edged the aggregate by just three shots to take the match 6–4.
With Subscription now 17 points clear, top spot looks beyond reach, but Courtfield remain firmly in the fight for second.
The B Team travelled to Wetheral and went down 8–2, leaving them fifth in the table.
Friday Afternoon – Over-55s Carliol League
It was a game like no other and, according to the team manager, the biggest overall victory of his tenure.
Ian B, Mr Chris and Glen R were in superb form against J Westmorland's triple. They dominated throughout on their way to an emphatic 30–9 victory.
Tony R, Mike D and Ste B also enjoyed a comfortable afternoon. Despite losing five ends, they were always in control and ran out 21–9 winners.
Chris S, Dai and George G were equally ruthless, conceding just two ends as they powered to an outstanding 22–3 win.
The closest game of the afternoon came from Tony A, John McL and President Dawes. Holding a narrow 13–10 lead with two ends to play, they finished strongly, picking up a one and a three to seal a 17–10 victory.
The result was a clean sweep, with Courtfield winning all four rinks for a 10–0 victory, while also taking the aggregate shots 90–31.
It was a performance to remember and one that will take some beating.
Stan Bragg League – Monday Afternoon
Courtfield travelled to Aspatria knowing that nothing less than a maximum return would do if they were to keep the pressure on at the top of the table.
Ste G, Dai and George G made the perfect start, racing into a 10–1 lead after four ends. They stayed in control throughout and ran out comfortable 21–7 winners.
Mr Chris, Mike D and Ian B also flew out of the blocks, leading 8–1 after four ends, before their opponents fought back. Courtfield eventually found themselves four shots behind with just two ends to play, but a four on the penultimate end levelled the scores before a three on the last completed a superb comeback, turning potential disappointment into a memorable victory.
George P, Tom and President Dawes endured the toughest start of the afternoon, dropping a five on the opening end and trailing 9–3 after five. They responded brilliantly, winning the next six ends to move 16–9 ahead, before seeing the game out 18–13.
The three rink wins secured all eight points for Courtfield, keeping them firmly in the hunt for the League title.
Coming Up This Weekend
Courtfield's Ladies are back in action this Saturday as they take on Workington at home in the Top Club Semi-Final.
They've had a fantastic run to reach the last four, and your support could make all the difference.
If you're free, get yourself down to the green and get behind the ladies as they bid for a place in the final.
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