Page 4 - Summer 2012

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4 HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!

NATIONAL UNDER 18’s SINGLES
The Under 18’s National Event showcases players who
hopefully will be the backbone of the ESMBA in the coming
years, at this age they are full of eagerness and talent and
looking to kick their careers off with a good display at Na-
tional level.
Last year’s winner Edward Elmore had returned in an
effort to retain his title and he was joined by Mitchell Young,
AJ Brown and Matt Sifford already members of the full Eng-
land squad and a healthy sprinkling of players from the
England Under 21 squad.
It was very pleasing to see some of the younger ele-
ment having a go at a national competition for the first time,
none more so than 9 year old Calum Goodman, son of for-
mer England international and multi-national winner Paul,
proof indeed that if the family get involved it leads to a pro-
gression for years to come.
Josh Hale of the West Midlands had been playing re-
ally well but at the last eight met Edward Elmore and went
down 5-10, Stephen Rushby defeated Jack Barrett Norfolk
Edward Elmore with ESMBA 12-3, Jake Potter North Yorkshire overturned Katie
President George Clark Hawkins 10-6 and Matt Sifford glided into the semis dis-
posing of Josh Baxter 10-7 in a hard fought match, The semi-finals went with the favourites
Edwards Elmore finally ending the charge of Stephen Rushby and Matt Sifford ended the re-
sistance of Jake Potter
In a most thrilling finale, last year’s champion Edward Elmore from Cambridge held his nerve
and played superbly to beat Matthew Sifford of Essex, making him the only player since the
Championship began to take the title for 2 years running.
Edward and Matthew used different coloured woods making identification easier for spec-
tators. Play throughout the first eight ends was nip and tuck, until Edward gained the ascen-
dancy by using three-quarter jacks. By the 11th end Edward was ahead 8 - 5, leaving Matthew
needing 4 shots on the final end but he only managed three to force an extra end.
After a toss for the extra end Matthew elected to bowl first but missed the jack. Edward
then forced the jack into the ditch stopping his wood just before the line. Matthew placed his
next wood beautifully before the line.
Edward then bowled short and Matthew did the same, leaving Edward to bowl for the
match, making him this year’s champion. Both players showed skill and maturity in their calm
(outwardly) manner of deliberation and delivery and are worthy recipients of everyone’s con-
gratulations. Well done both young men.
As to Oxford’s under 18 year players, A.J. Brown and Liam Hancock, because these two
players were on mats widely spaced from each other watching both was difficult, so I concen-
trated upon Liam’s game as he was the least experienced and A.J. had a large family group to
support him. A.J. lost his first two games; Liam won his first game 24-4. His opponent either
lost his nerve after a couple of bad ends or was unable to read the mat.
Liam then had the misfortune to draw against his brother’s girlfriend and lost. I’m not sure
if this was a contributory factor, whatever, it left Liam feeling low in need of encouragement.
A.J. won his third match, but the 2 earlier losses set him homeward bound. Liam played his
first knockout game and held his opponent to a draw, needing an extra end to play. Liam played
well, but lost on the very last end by one, going out after a great fight back. We are sure to see
more of this young man in future.