Sausage, Chips and County Success
Monday Evening – Carlisle League
The A team travelled to Dalston and struggled to come to terms with a tricky green. The pace was good, but the lines and runs proved difficult throughout the evening.
John B, Chaos and Carsy secured Courtfield’s first two points despite a late fightback from Kev Mawdsley’s triple.
Lawrence, Tom and Hong Kong won by the narrowest of margins. On the final end, Andy Rogerson was holding one and a point before delivering his last bowl. He was extremely unlucky not to make two for the win, instead dropping a single to hand Courtfield another two points.
Kev and Lee’s triples both went down heavily, leaving Dalston with a 6–4 victory.
Ladies Secure Another Home Victory
The ladies continued their good form this week with a 6–2 home victory over Stanwix.
Anne, Corrine and Gill were always in control against Christine Johnston’s triple and held a 14–7 lead after 13 ends. Stanwix looked set to reduce the deficit on the next end when they were holding five, but Gill kept her composure with the final bowl and cut the score down to one. Courtfield held on comfortably to take the rink 14–9.
Joanne, Aileen W and Evelyn had to recover from a difficult start after dropping six shots over the first three ends. A three and a four on the next two ends brought them straight back into the contest, and the game remained close at 9–9 after 12 ends. Courtfield then found another gear, picking up a superb four before closing out a 15–9 win.
Jean, Leslie and Aileen M were involved in the tightest game of the afternoon. After dropping three on the opening end, they replied with four on the next and remained well in contention. The game turned on the ninth and tenth ends when Stanwix scored five and three to move 17–10 ahead.
Courtfield changed the length of the jack and fought back well, but the deficit proved too much and they went down 18–15.
It was another strong result for the ladies, who remain at home next week when Wigton are the visitors.
Regional Two Fours Final
The B team’s excellent run in the Regional Two Fours came to an end on Wednesday evening as they faced Whitehaven in the final.
Courtfield gave a good account of themselves but were ultimately beaten by the stronger side on the night. It was a disappointing finish, but reaching the final was a fine achievement and the team can be proud of their run in the competition.
There was at least one consolation, with the President making sure the sausage and chips arrived.
Whitehaven now go forward to face either Heaton Hall A or Bolton Flat Green C.
Thursday Evening – Carliol League
The A team welcomed Sub B to Courtfield looking to bounce back, and they did so with a 6–4 victory.
Tayler, Ian P and Kev led the way with a dominant 25–2 win over Simon Kerridge’s triple, while Ste G, Chaos and Lee were just as convincing in a 29–7 victory against Brian Steel’s rink.
Andy, Lawrence and Hong Kong were involved in a much tighter contest, eventually losing by a single shot, 14–13. The outcome could have been very different but for some excellent bowling from P Rogers, who repeatedly kept his side in the game.
John B, Brian L and Carsy also went down, losing 14–9 to Ken Graham’s triple.
Courtfield took the match 6–4, but with ground still to make up, the title now looks to be slipping away.
The B team made the journey to Brampton and returned with an excellent 7–3 victory.
Chris S, Tony A and Gill made a slow start, dropping four consecutive singles before turning the game completely around. From that point they took control and ran out comfortable 17–6 winners.
Corrine, David G and President Dawes were locked in a close contest with Billy Reid’s triple until dropping a six on the seventh end. Brampton managed only two singles after that as Courtfield responded strongly and powered home to win 15–11.
Jean, Aileen W and Evelyn had a tight battle against Nigel Watson’s triple, with neither side giving much away. Trailing going into the last end, the Courtfield ladies held their nerve and picked up the single they needed to secure a 10–10 draw and an important point.
Julie C, Tony R and Ste B were also involved in a close game against Charles Robinson’s triple. The scores were level at 13–13 going into the final end, but Robinson produced an excellent last wood to make three and take the rink.
Despite that late disappointment, it was a very good night for the B team as they completed a 7–3 win.
County Ties
There were plenty of reasons for Courtfield to celebrate in the county competitions this week, with several players progressing to the quarter-finals.
Kev’s Senior Fours continued their excellent run with a 19–16 victory over R Kirkbride. They now move on to face Malcolm Smitham’s four in the next round.
Tayler also progressed in the Restricted Singles after beating Richard Peart and will face John Grisedale in the quarter-finals.
Chaos and Carsy booked their place in the Men’s Pairs quarter-finals with an impressive 22–13 victory over D Corrigan. Their next match will be played at Dalston on 29 June.
Gill and Aileen W marched on in the Ladies’ Pairs after defeating S Latham of Dalston. The Courtfield pair controlled most of the match and completed the victory in just 17 ends. They will now face Ann Creighton in the quarter-finals.
Gill also secured another quarter-final appearance in the Ladies’ Singles after beating Sheila Harrison. She will face either Tina Smitham or Rachel Forster next.
There was disappointment in the Starkie for George G, Dai and Mike D, whose run came to an end with a 17–8 defeat against Paul Coulthard’s Wigan Park triple.
Overall, it was another excellent week in the county ties, with Courtfield still strongly represented across several competitions.
Stan Bragg
That brings another eventful week to a close. Some will be replaying their best bowls, others will be trying to forget their last four ends, and the President will no doubt still be judging the sausage and chips. Onwards to next week.
Comments