CCSMBA NEWS RELEASE - 14 March 2011

CORNWALL COUNTY SHORT MAT BOWLING ASSOCIATION

NEWS RELEASE 14 March 2011

INTER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Cornwall’s A Team have triumphed for a third time in five seasons in the English Short Mat Bowls Association Inter County Championship Consolation competition with a narrow victory over Hampshire at Caroline Chisholm School, Northampton on Sunday.

Cornwall started the match strongly claiming three wins in the first session of Singles and Pairs recorded by Graham Reeves (25-9) in the Singles, Luke Jolly & Tony Jago (17-7) and Miriam Barbery & Brenda Sleep (10-8) in the Pairs.  The points were shared in the second session with both counties claiming a Triples and Fours game apiece.  For Cornwall Sheila Hodge, Jim Rule & Terry Bray (19-5) in the Triples and Meg Horrell, Joe Dixon, Max Burden & Derek Newton (12-5) in the Fours.  At the halfway point of the match Cornwall led by 10 points to 6 and 112 shots to 78.

The match turned in Hampshire’s favour in the third session, the afternoon Singles and Pairs, with Hampshire claiming all four games together with the bonus points in the Pairs after overturning Cornwall’s 12 shot lead from the morning to finish with a 52-42 advantage.  Cornwall claimed a solitary point from the session with a share of the Singles bonus points after the shots were tied 60-60.  With a session left to play Hampshire lead 17 points to 11.  The task in hand for Cornwall to win the match was clear, secure 10 out of the 12 available. 

As the final session developed it was clear that Cornwall had the desire to win.  In the Triples wins for Bob Williams, Linda Martin & Gerry Fisher (14-4) and Sheila Hodge, Jim Rule & Terry Bray (15-9) secured 6 of the 10 points needed, Cornwall having a 60 shots to 33 advantage to claim the bonus points.  In the Fours Kath Goodman, Ashley Davis, Joyce Ward & Derek Swaby claimed a further two points with an 18-2 win which crucially wiped out the shots deficit from the morning session putting Cornwall 13 ahead in battle for the final two bonus points.  The second four skipped by Derek Newton was unable to win the final game to be decided but the 6-11 score ensured that Cornwall secured the bonus points by 8 shots pushing them to an unassailable 21 points.

SCORES

Singles: Graham Reeves (Saltash) 25-9 & 13-18; Tony Baldwin (Liskeard) 11-13 & 11-20

Pairs: Tony Jago & Luke Jolly (Treviscoe) 17-7 & 4-18; Miriam Barbery & Brenda Sleep (Dobwalls) 10-8 & 11-19

Triples: Bob Williams, Linda Martin & Gerry Fisher (Illogan) 12-15 & 14-4; Sheila Hodge (Liskeard), Jim Rule & Terry Bray (Lostwithiel) 19-5 & 15-9

Fours: Kath Goodman, Ashley Davies (Treviscoe), Joyce Ward (Withiel), Derek Swaby (Wadebridge) 6-16 & 18-2; Meg Horrell, Joe Dixon (Withiel) Max Burden (Dobwalls) & Derek Newton (Liskeard) 12-5 & 6-11

BRITISH ISLES A TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Holmans bowler Peter Hore faces his biggest bowling challenge at the weekend when he takes his place representing England in the Singles at the British Isles A Team Championships in Swansea.

INTER AREA COMPETITION

On Saturday the Inter Area Competition will be contested by teams of 32 representing each of the four areas that make up the county league structure.  The competition takes place at the Dragon Leisure Centre, Bodmin with play under way at 0900.

ENDS

Nicholas Truscott
Press and Promotions Officer
Cornwall County Short Mat Bowling Association

Tel:    07800 916059
E-mail: cornwallshortmatbowls@gmail.com

Web: www.ccsmba.co.uk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ccsmba