Page 5 - Summer 2016

Devon Rinks:Layout 1 31-Aug-16 8:17 PM Page 1

DEVON TRIUMPH! 5
Devon became the first win-
ners of the ICC Rinks competi-
tion after another bruising battle
against Essex in the final.
The day started with the
group stages and Devon faced
neighbours Cornwall in the first
game. Despite a slow start
which saw Devon 12 shots
down after each mat had played
4 ends.
Devon fought back strong
and won 3 out of the 4 rinks and won the tie by 8 shots. The second game saw Devon face
Surrey who had lost the first game to Kent. Devon were in control throughout, winning on
every rink and won by 22 shots.
The final group game was against Kent, and Devon started the game knowing a win or
draw would ensure progress into the final, but a defeat might allow Kent or Cornwall to
progress at their expense. It was a confident start by Devon who quickly built up a strong lead,
however Kent recovered and chased down the shots and took the lead. With two rinks losing
and one rink drawing it was down to Michael Ivings rink who ensured the shots were tight with
a mammoth 15 shot win which ensured Devon only lost by 3 shots.
With Kent and Devon level on points Devon progressed to the final thanks to a superior
shots difference. Their opponents in the final was Essex who beat Devon in the ICC Semi Fi-
nals 22-18 only 2 weeks previously. However the Devon team stormed out of the blocks and
by the time 7 ends had passed on all
mats Devon were 10 shots ahead.
The first rinks to finish was Richard
Ivings, Malcolm Sheen, Simon Pridham
and Michael Ivings who kept the imperi-
ous form that they had showed all day by
beating Barry Hedges rink 14-6.
The second rink to finish was Irene
Smith, Thomas Perris, Eric Pavey and
Rose Morrison who were defeated by
Adam Sultana's rink 7-17, however the 4
that they picked up on their last end
proved absolutely vital. The third rink to
finish was Elsie Copp, John Smith, Paul
Pomeroy and James Trott who beat Alan
Jones's rink 14-11.
This ensured the final rink of Gra-
ham James, Mike Avery, Elliott James
and Tony Main knew that Devon would
win the title as long as they did not drop
5 shots on their final end against Craig
Burgess's rink. With Craig unable to take
the jack off the mat with his final bowl the
Devon rink settled for a 12-9 win ensuring
Devon won by 47 shots to 43 shots and
became Premier Rinks champions.