CALPE BOWLS CLUB

Another season is drawing to a close and in our penultimate match against the Benitachell Jaguars (away ) we expected a really hard game. We only just managed to beat them by seven shots when we played them at home but the Benitachell green is no longer to be feared, like it used to be, and we performed well to run out 8-2 winners ( 74 shots to 61 )

Kate Sayers, Alan Steed and Tony Sayers won 17 – 12
Alan Edwards, Alison Edwards and Enid Duxbury won 20 – 10
Liz Griffiths, Sheila Garnham and Paul Brown lost 13 – 24
Stan Walmsley, Ernie Ritchie and Ray Collom won 24 – 15
Frank Thomas, Geoff Pack and Vi Thomas ( friendly ) lost 12 - 19

Kate´s team were only behind once ( at 1 – 2 after two) and scored regularly, never letting the Jaguars get into their stride. After thirteen ends they had a nice lead at 15 – 8 and, more or less, maintained that until the end. Winning the last put paid to any hopes the Jaguars had of getting something out of the game.

Alan´s team trailed 5 – nil after three ends and they must have thought “here we go again”. But, none of it – with a great run , taking eight of the next ten ends they forged ahead into a 17 – 7 lead. Jaguars got three singles late on but could never recover from that first half pounding. I think Alan must have picked up on the Welsh spirit and resolve from the Milennium Stadium a couple of days before.

Liz, with Sheila and Paul did much better than the card suggests. They won their fair share of ends but when they lost they did it big style ( 3-4-3-4-5). These were all very costly and were the only difference in the teams , though the Jaguars skip Alex Fisher had one of those days where he couldn´t do anything wrong.

Stan´s team shot out of the blocks with a “six” on the first end and maintained that momentum right through the first half to lead 17 – 4. The second half was completely different and the Jaguars came back to trail just 15 – 20 after seventeen ends. They needed five to draw but Ernie and Ray were having none of it this time and kept them out with a “four” for a comfortable win.

Our “friendly” trio – Frank,Geoff and Vi ( you can´t be anything but friendly when you have 260 years between you ) gave as good as they got but losing five ends on the trot in the first half ( 13 shots) cost them the game – a very good effort though !

This last week has also seen us playing Finca Guila ( from Alfaz) for the annual Parfin Cup. In the home leg we did well to fight off a very strong challenge ( particularly from Eddie Mortimer and his team ) and managed to come away with a 20 shot advantage.

Normally this is the sort of lead that Finca Guila would get back on their own green but in the return leg we maintained our recent good form to, not only contain them, but actually beat them by another seven shots to make it 27. A splendid performance and well done to all those who played their hearts out.

See you next week !

(Sponsored by Europa Network S.L.)

Calpe