Page 6 - Layout 1

Page 6:Layout 1 09/04/2015 08:37 Page 1

6 Hampshire Triumph in the Premier Inter-County Final
Hampshire Triumph in the Premier Inter-County Final

For the sixth time in their history, Hampshire County Short Mat Bowling Asso-
For the sixth time in their history, Hampshire County Short Mat Bowling Asso-
ciation’s Premier Team travelled to play in the final of the Inter County Compe-
ciation’s Premier Team travelled to play in the final of the Inter County Compe-
tition. The venue was Daventry Indoor Bowling Club and their opponents were
tition. The venue was Daventry Indoor Bowling Club and their opponents were
Cheshire – who had won the competition 8 years in succession and who were
Cheshire – who had won the competition 8 years in succession and who were
looking for their 9th consecutive victory.
looking for their 9th consecutive victory.
In the opening singles, Ben Pay had a nervy game despite never letting
In the opening singles, Ben Pay had a nervy game despite never letting
his opponent get too far ahead but unfortunately lost 12-16. Jason McLean
his opponent get too far ahead but unfortunately lost 12-16. Jason McLean
also had a nip & tuck game, and indeed was 9-7 up after 11 ends but then
also had a nip & tuck game, and indeed was 9-7 up after 11 ends but then
dropped 6 shots over 4 ends to lose 9-13. Wendy Ford & Paul England kept
dropped 6 shots over 4 ends to lose 9-13. Wendy Ford & Paul England kept
their opponents at bay for most of the match and were 11-3 up at 9 ends but
their opponents at bay for most of the match and were 11-3 up at 9 ends but
then had to hold on for a 15-11 victory as their opponents nibbled back. Paul
then had to hold on for a 15-11 victory as their opponents nibbled back. Paul
Goodman and team manager Leah Wood were also doing a good job keeping
Goodman and team manager Leah Wood were also doing a good job keeping
their opponents behind them but slipped from a 12-3 position at 10 ends to run
their opponents behind them but slipped from a 12-3 position at 10 ends to run
out 14-10 winners. Shots dropped that could play a part in the battle for the
out 14-10 winners. Shots dropped that could play a part in the battle for the
bonus points. Honours even at the end of this session, with Cheshire biding
bonus points. Honours even at the end of this session, with Cheshire biding
their time.
their time.
Tony Gepp, Mike Wright & David White clawed back from 3-7 down at
Tony Gepp, Mike Wright & David White clawed back from 3-7 down at 6 6
ends to win a hard game 11-8. Gina Allen, Ian Ford & James Wood just couldn’t
ends to win a hard game 11-8. Gina Allen, Ian Ford & James Wood just couldn’t
get started and at 5 ends they were 0-14 down. They had the better of the sec-
get started and at 5 ends they were 0-14 down. They had the better of the sec-
ond half and struggled back to only lose 10-17. A vital comeback. Anita Buck-
ond half and struggled back to only lose 10-17. A vital comeback. Anita Buck-
nall, Callum Goodman, Ben Cherry & James Bucknall picked up a score of 5 5
nall, Callum Goodman, Ben Cherry & James Bucknall picked up a score of
on the 6th end in their game to overturn a 3-7 deficit and then carried on to win
on the 6th end in their game to overturn a 3-7 deficit and then carried on to win
10-8. However next door Martyn Dubb’s team of Jan Bunker, Steve Bucket &
10-8. However next door Martyn Dubb’s team of Jan Bunker, Steve Bucket &
Mark Hollis suffered a crushing defeat of 3-15, dropping a 5 on the first end.
Mark Hollis suffered a crushing defeat of 3-15, dropping a 5 on the first end.
Honours still even at 8-8 but with Hampshire needing to dig in and produce
Honours still even at 8-8 but with Hampshire needing to dig in and produce
something extraordinary to overturn a Cheshire team with a comfortable lead
something extraordinary to overturn a Cheshire team with a comfortable lead
in three of the disciplines in the race for the bonus points. Ben Pay suffered
in three of the disciplines in the race for the bonus points. Ben Pay suffered
another defeat 8-18 however in the third session, whilst Jason McLean just
another defeat 8-18 however in the third session, whilst Jason McLean just
slipped to a 13-14 defeat having come back from being 0-7 down at 3 ends.
slipped to a 13-14 defeat having come back from being 0-7 down at 3 ends.
The bonus points were therefore lost. Ford & England crushed their opponents
The bonus points were therefore lost. Ford & England crushed their opponents
15-8 but unfortunately Goodman and Wood lost 6-21.
15-8 but unfortunately Goodman and Wood lost 6-21.