CORNWALL COUNTY SHORT MAT BOWLING ASSOCIATION - NEWS RELEASE 27 August 2023

CORNWALL COUNTY SHORT MAT BOWLING ASSOCIATION

NEWS RELEASE - 27 August 2023

Eight local bowlers travelled to Chelmsford to take part in the first Short Mat Players Tour event of the 2023/24 season, the UK Open.

Luke Jolly (Holmans) making his first appearance in an SMPT singles event since 2018 came away from the event with the 92 ranking points to sit in 23rd in the new seasons Order of Merit table.  Drawn in Group 25 Luke reeled off back to back wins in his opening three games against Andrew Coughlin (WAL) 10-8, Peter Collins (ENG) 10-6 and Paul Reed (ENG) 18-5.  In his final game on Saturday evening Luke lost to Chris Coates (ENG) 9-11.  A dominant win against Barbara Johns (ENG) 22-3 on Sunday morning saw Luke top the group and progress into the Cup competition.  In the last 64 Luke won 18-6 against Martin Nash (ENG) before losing 3-13 to finalist Garry McNabb (IRE) in the last 32.

Elise Daniell (Holmans) came away with 90 ranking points to sit 28th in the Order of Merit table.  Drawn in Group 24 Elise started with a draw against Gareth Hill (ENG) 11-11 and followed up with a win against Chris Adams (ENG) 14-6.  Saturday's third game ended in defeat to Dick Almén (SWE) 4-15 followed by a win against Bent Nielsen (DEN) 17-5.  In her final group game on Sunday morning Elise defeated Edward Gittoes (WAL) 12-6 to finish second in the group and progress into the Cup competition.  In the last 64 Elise won 15-14 against John Lax (ENG) before a heavy defeat in the last 32 to James Trott (ENG) 1-16.

Nigel Nicholls (Newlyn Trinity) was the only other local bowler to reach the Cup competition.  Drawn in Group 19 Nigel started the event strongly reeling off three wins in his opening matches against Mitchell Young (ENG) 12-8, Barry Bates (ENG) 16-4 and Graham Cockburn (ENG) 23-6.  Saturday's final game ended in defeat to Paul Cairnduff (NIR) 7-16.  A win in the final group game on Sunday morning against Beverley Morley (ENG) 16-4 secured second place in the group.  In the last 64 of the Cup competition Nigel lost to Ferdinand Frentzen (NOR) 8-9 to finish the tournament with 82 ranking points and 42nd in the Order of Merit standings.

Tour debutant Steve Smith (St Newlyn East) lost his opening game in Group 3 against Arwel Morgan (WAL) 5-15 following up with a win against Aaron Clare (ENG) 10-8.  Saturday afternoon saw defeat to Steven Roberts (ENG) 4-15 followed by a win against Mio Kontic (ENG) 11-5.  A win on Sunday morning against Christopher Hiller (WAL) 13-7 saw Steve third in the group and through to the Plate competition where he was drawn against familiar opposition, Peter Hore (Holmans).  Peter started the tournament with a strong win in Group 4 against Bengt-Goran Clemensson (SWE) 22-3.  Defeat to Steve Buckett (ENG) 7-14 was followed by a win against Keelee Jones (WAL) 15-7.  Defeats in Saturday's final game against James Rutledge (NIR) 5-17 and Sunday morning's last group Game against Jason Woods (ENG) 7-10 left Peter 4th in the group

In the last 64 round Steve won 10-9 against Peter going on to lose to the eventual winner of the Plate competition Damian McCabe (NIR) 3-16 in the last 32.  Steve earned 39 ranking points and sits in 80th place in the Order of Merit.  Peter earned 31 ranking points and sits in 107th place in the Order of Merit.

Martyn Featherstone (Saltash Kernow), drawn in Group 32 started with a win against Pauline Friel (ENG) 17-7.  Saturday was rounded off with a run of three losses, Kevin Lawley (SCO) 1-26, Ricky Pyle (ENG) 13-15 and Michael Doorey (ENG) 6-14.  A win in Sunday mornings final group game against Gareth Thomas (ENG) 19-5 left Martyn 4th in the group and into the Plate competition.  In the last 64 Martyn lost to Karl Newby (ENG) 12-15.  Martyn earned 31 ranking points and sits in 107th place in the Order of Merit.

Mark Williams (Lanteglos) making is SMPT debut enjoyed a good start in Group 31 with wins against Tim Harwood (ENG) 16-12 and Rodger Armour (NIR) 11-9.  Defeats in the remaining group games on Saturday against Stephen Proctor (ENG) 9-14 and Karl Newby (ENG) 6-16 and Sunday morning against Kate Morgan (WAL) 7-10 left Mark in 5th the the group and in the Shield Competition.  In the last 64 

Mark won comfortably against Gareth Thomas (ENG) 25-4 before losing narrowly in the last 32 to Peter Clarke (ENG) 10-11.  Mark earned 9 ranking points from the event and sits in 139th place in the Order of Merit. 

Ian Crossett (Saltash Kernow) endured a tough debut on Saturday losing all four games played in Group 21 against Jonas Häger (SWE) 2-21, Aidan Corrigan (IRE) 7-13, Greg Wade (ENG) 4-16 and James Smith (ENG) 4-22.  A narrow win in Sunday morning's final group game against Derek Coates (ENG) lifted Ian into 5th in the group standings with a place in the Shield competition.  In the last 64 Ian lost to Carol Taylor (ENG) 9-15. 

The results of the three finals were

Shield - Jack Pye (ENG) 10-9 Billy Ray (ENG)

Plate - Damian McCabe (NIR) 13-11 Peter Roberts (ENG)

Cup - Gary McNabb (NIR) 6-11 Alastair McCrea (ENG)

The next SMPT event is in just over 2 weeks time when 192 bowlers compete in the Irish Open in Belfast over the weekend of 16th and 17th September.

ENDS

Nicholas Truscott

Press and Promotions Officer

CCSMBA