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CORNWALL AT
16 CORNWALL AT
THE NATIONALS
THE NATIONALS
Cornwall enjoyed mixed fortunes at the ESMBA National Championships,
which ran from Thursday to Sunday and the highlight was the Four of Elise
Daniell, Nicholas Truscott, Nigel Nicholls & Peter Hore reaching the final
of Saturday's Fours competition. The first time a team from Cornwall has
progressed beyond the last 8 at the championships.
In the group stages they started with a strong showing against Der-
byshire winning 12-3. Qualification for the knockout stages was assured
with a 17-5 win against East Sussex 1 in the second game. Cheshire 3 defeated Cornwall in the
final group game 6-12 to guarantee their own progression to the knock out rounds.
In the second round Cornwall faced Essex 4 against whom a lead was built up and defended
for a 7-2 win. The third round saw Cheshire 1 provide the opposition and saw Cornwall need to
come from behind to win 8-10 to move into the Quarter Finals. East Sussex 2 provided the oppo-
sition in the last 8 and were brushed aside 16-7. A tight Semi Final saw Cornwall against West
Midlands 2 and after again coming from behind to force an extra end it was Cornwall who held
their nerve to claim the game 8-7. The final proved a step to far as opponents Oxford 2 skipped
by youngster AJ Brown quickly opened a large lead, thanks in part to a 6 on the second end, going
on to win 17-5.
The result proves that county have the talent to compete on the National stage yet it is a
shame that every year competition organisers struggle to get enough entries to run local qualifi-
cation competitions.
The second Cornwall team competing on Saturday also enjoyed a good run. John Worton,
Neil Gribble, Ken Horrell & Chris Roberts were group winners beating a strong Dorset rink 7-3,
Hertfordshire 2 11-1 and a narrow loss
against Hampshire 2 4-7. In the second
round West Sussex 1 were defeated 13-
6. The third round saw them up against
eventual winners Oxford 2 losing 2-10.
On the other days of competition
David Studden reached the third round
of the Singles on Thursday. Having won
his group with wins against Tony Gayler
(Herts) 17-2 and Geoff Booth (Derby)
16-4 and a narrow defeat to Sean
Thompson (Worcs) 7-9/
David comfortably defeated Ian
Davis (Worcs) 13-2 in the Second round.
Craig Strong (West Mids) ended David's
day in the third round with a 5-15 defeat.
On Friday Nigel Nicholls & Peter
Hore played in the Pairs. Their first game
saw them take a 10-9 win against Bucks
1. A 9-11 defeat to Dorset 2 left Peter &
Nigel needing to beat Derby to be sure
of progression to knockout stages.
They duly won the game 12-5 to
progress to play Essex 1. Essex 1
edged a close Second round game 11-
10 to end Peter and Nigel's day early.