Page 30 - Winter 2019 2020 FINAL_Neat

Page 30_Layout 1 16/01/2020 10:37 Page 1

In the other Semi-final, it was an all Turvey affair with Matt Hatton playing Keith Cockings.
30
This game was nip and tuck but after 3 ends Keith led 3-1, although he was being pushed
hard by Matt's exceptional drawing. However Matt just couldn’t quite nick a shot and 2
singles and a pair saw Keith run out a 7-1 winner.
With three out of the four semi-finalists from Turvey, it inevitably turned out to be fine, fea-
turing two Turvey players, Paul Hurren and Keith Cockings. The final looked to be a great end
to the day both players on good form and Paul defending his title (despite his nickname 'I Can’t
Play Singles' Hurren), and Keith also a previous champion.
The first end saw lots of close bowls as was expected, but a measure gave Paul a 1-0
lead. On the next end both players continued to draw close but Paul was closest to the short
jack and there's nothing Keith can do this end but keep it to a single, Paul led 2-0. On the third
end Paul held 2 shots but Keith moved the jack but clips it and Paul now holds 3. But his blocker
was narrow and Keith puts his wood into the head to cut one out and to go 4-0 down.
On the next end Paul holds and has the back covered. Keith has a wood in the head but
is 2 down as Paul makes it 3 but there is a gap, Keith rolls his last into the gap the jack is trapped
but by fractions Paul has shot 5-0. End 5 - Keith needs to get into the match, he draws a single
but it's tit for tat pushing each other’s shots out. However Keith draws his final wood in to take
2 shots cutting the deficit to 2-5.
The sixth end was a big end, Keith gets his first 2 woods very close as Paul is a little heavy.
Keith draws a 3rd and gives Paul a problem as it drops behind the jack pinning it in, Paul draws
close but Keith takes 3 to level score at 5-5. On to end seven and both are playing some great
bowls and this last end is probably how it should be decided. Keith nails the three quarter jack
with his first wood. Paul attempts to move it but misses narrowly, then Keith puts 2 more woods
close just behind.
Paul is trying to move the shot bowl but goes inside it then grazes it again. Keith draws
again, just behind covering Paul's back woods but counting. Paul tries to run in but clips the
front bowl and Keith takes 4 shots to win 9-5 Well done both it was a fantastic final to by 2 very
experienced bowlers and congratulations to Keith on winning once again. Huge thanks to all
who stayed to watch the final plus those who assisted on day with the catering and raffle, your
help is very much appreciated.
Essex Pairs
Essex Pairs
The Essex Pairs was held at Braintree Leisure Centre and 72 Pairs initially took part playing in
18 groups of 4 with the winners of each group and the 14 best runners up going through to the
knockout stages. The day as usual proved highly competitive with a lot of quality bowls and the
final stages especially, saw some close and exciting matches
It was Sewards End who proved the best on the day with three pairs making the quarter
finals and two proceeding to the semi-finals and both of these into the final. The first semi-final
saw last year’s winners Michael Rushmer & Colin Lord (Sewards End) against the Dedham pair
of Jackie & Trevor Holbrow. Jackie & Trevor took 3 shots from the first two ends but Michael &
Colin got into a good rhythm to win the next five ends and a
close match by 6-3
The second semi-final saw the further Sewards End pair
of Margaret Curtis & Helen Tucker take on Mel Horgan & Paul
Youngs of Elmstead Market. In what was a 'cracking' match Mel
& Paul led 4-3 going into the last end but the Sewards End pair
kept calm and took two shots on the final end to win 5-4
The final itself was outstanding and it was only disappoint-
ing that after a long day that there were only 10 spectators to
watch a match of this quality. Margaret & Helen marginally got
the better of the first few ends leading 3-1 after four ends.
Michael & Colin pulled back and took 2 shots on the last sched-
uled end to bring the scores level at 4-4