STOCKPORT
METRO LEAGUE
VERSUS
HUMBERSIDE
VENUE: NORTH
CAVE BOWLING CLUB
NORTH CAVE, HUMBERSIDE
MATCH RESULT: STOCKPORT: 20 Points.
HUMBERSIDE: 20 Points.
Humberside entertained Stockport
on Sunday, 25th October, 2009. The match commenced at 11am.
This was Humberside’s first game of the season and
their first game back in the 1st Division after finishing last years champions
of Division 2. Welcome back, Humberside.
Representing Stockport
in the singles was:
Adam Smith (Avons) and Lesley Fennell (Hazel Grove)
Adam opened up against Steve Danby and took two shots
from the first end. That appeared to wake up Steve who replied with a maximum
four. Each player then took a single apiece before Adam repeated the dose on
Steve by taking a maximum in the 5th to leave the scores at 7 – 5 in
favour of Adam. A dead end in the 6th followed by a 2 for Steve in
the 7th left the scores level at 7 apiece. Both players were showing
an excellent touch in line and length. In the 8th Adam took an
excellent 3 shots and Steve replied with 2 singles in the next two ends to go
into the 11th one shot adrift of Adam at 10-9. A single to Adam and
then in the 12th Steve, playing excellent bowls took a devastating
four shots off Adam to lead 13-11. A single apiece and the players went into
the 15th with the score 14 – 12 in favour of Steve. Adam bowled his
heart out but could only take a single as the game went to Steve by 14 shots to
Adam’s 13. An excellent game to watch and a feature of the game was Steve’s
ability to turn his opponent’s bowls over, and accumulate shots without losing
bowls from the head.
Adam’s second game was against an extremely tough
opponent in David Coultas. David is a two times National Singles Champion, plus
also being a beaten finalist; unfortunately for Adam, David was in prime form.
Adam managed to keep in touch until the 7th end when David lead by 6
shots to 4; and then David really put his foot down racking up 17 more shot to
Adam’s single as the match ended 23 shots to 5 in favour of David. Adam, as a
good young talent, should not be too disappointed at this result as it would
have taken a really top player to match David in this form.
Lesley opened her account against David and what a
game this promised to be and we were not disappointed. England
international Lesley against two times national singles champion David. David
quickly settled to the task in front of him with 3 shots from the first two
ends, but then Lesley hit back taking 5 shots from the next three ends to lead
5-3 at the end of the 5th.
Back to David as he took 3 shots from ends 6 and 7 to lead 6 shots to
Lesley’s 5. A single to Lesley in the 8th was followed by 3 shots to
David from ends 9 and 10 which opened the lead in David’s favour at 9 shots to
6. Lesley took a single in the 11th which was followed by 2 shots to
David in the 12th. There was still no indication as to who would get
over the line first, but in the next two ends Lesley really hit her straps with
a single in the 13th followed by a superb 4 in the 14th.
She now led David by 12 shots to 11. The 15th and deciding end was a
nip and tuck affair; first one and then the other taking the lead. However,
David’s overall experience told in the end as he secured the 2 shots he needed
to take an outright win at 13 shots to Lesley’s 12. Both players should be
congratulated on an excellent game of bowls.
In her second game Lesley faced Steve Danby but
couldn’t reproduce the form she showed against David. At the end of the 5th
Steve had opened up a comfortable lead over the England lady by 9 shots to 1. Ends
6 and 7 saw Lesley take an excellent 5 shots to pull back to 6-9 and for a
brief moment it seemed that Lesley was going to peg back Steve, but he took 2
in the 8th followed by a single to Lesley in the 9th, as
the pair went into the 10th with the score at 11-7 to Steve. In the
10th Steve took an excellent 4 and followed this up with 2 in the 11th
and a single in the 12th. This set of scores virtually sealed the
fate of the game as it put Steve into a pretty well inaccessible lead of 11
shots as he led 18 shots to 7. Lesley then showed her spirit with 3 shots off
ends 13 and 14 as Steve ended the game with a single from the 15th;
the final result being 19 shots to 10 shots in favour of Steve. The quality of
the two Humberside singles players was just too much for the Stockport
pair as they picked up a maximum 8 points plus two more for the aggregate score.
Representing Stockport
in the pairs was:
1. Win Thompson (Woodley) and Billy Burn (Bramhall Village)
2. Rhona Mason (Poynton A) and Scott Smith (Avons)
In the first game Rhona and Scott took on the Humberside
pair of David Smith and John Scott. Steady scoring by the Stockport
pair saw them open up a 6-3 lead at the end of the 5th. They then
took 2 more shots from ends 6 and 7 to remain in control of the game; too such
an extent that by the 12th they held a commanding lead of 12 shots
to their opponents 5. David and John then forced their way back into the game
as they reduced their opponents lead to 4 shots as they went into the 15th
end. 4 shots to draw the game was a pretty tall order for the Humberside pair
but they had the satisfaction of taking a single and so winning the end; the
final score being 12 shots to 9 in favour of Rhona and Scott.
Their second game saw them matched against Elaine
Coultas and Margaret Dykes. At then end of the 3rd the scores were
level at 2 shots apiece. Ends 4, 5 & 6 saw the Stockport
pair take a further 5 shots to lead 7 shots to 2 going into the 7th. The Humberside ladies took 2 shots from ends
7 and 8 and this was quickly followed by a single to the Stockport
pair from end number 9. Ends 10 and 11 saw 2 more shots to Humberside as they
closed in on the Stockport pair at 6 shots to
their 8. The game was so close that the 12th proved to be a dead
end. Stockport took 1 shot from the 13th to lead 9-6; but then lost
2 shots in the 14th to leave the scores at 9 shots to 8 in favour of
Stockport as they entered the 15th and last end with Humberside
needing 1 shot to tie and 2 shots to pinch the game. Stockport, however, held
their nerve and took a vital single and the game at 10 shots to Humberside’s 8.
This was an excellent result for Rhona and Scott as they took a maximum four
points from their two games.
Win and Bill’s first opponents were Elaine and
Margaret and the Humberside duo really set off at a scorching pace as they
racked up a lead of 7 shots to Stockport’s 1
at the end of the 5th. A 3 in the 6th and a single in the
7th put the Stockport pair back in
the game as they cut their opponents lead to 2 shots. In the 8th and
the 9th both teams scored good threes; 10 shots to 8 in favour of
Humberside. 3 more shots from ends 10 and 11 saw Humberside extend their lead
to 5 shots as they led Stockport 13 shots to
8. Stockport tried their utmost to pull back this deficit but only managed 2
shots as did their opponents as Humberside closed the game out at 15 shots to Stockport’s 10. A good game of bowls but the Stockport pair was always chasing the game and the task
just proved out of reach for them.
David Smith and John Scott were Win and Bill’s next
challenge and the Stockport pair were really
fired up for this game as they raced into a 7 shots to 0 lead at the end of the
5th. David and John then took the next two ends with 2 singles but
were immediately hit for six as Stockport took
their score to 13 shots against Humberside’s 2 at the end of the 10th.
A single to Humberside in the 11th saw them again hit for six as Stockport took their total to 19 shots against
Humberside’s 3 at the end of the 14th. Humberside had the last say
with two shots from the 15th as the game ended 19 shots to 5 shots
in favour of Stockport. An excellent reply
from Win and Bill which gave Stockport six points from their three wins plus an
extra two for the aggregate score; another good performance from the pairs.
Representing Stockport
in the triples was:
1. Bernie
Thorley (GMMC), Graham Edwards (Woodbank) and Bernard
Fennell (Hazel Grove)
2. Charlie
Cooper (Denton
CC), Paul Mason (Poynton A) and Ron
Hamilton (Woodley A). Ron was replacing
John Lax (Woodley A) who had to cry
off at the last minute.
In the first game of the triples the two Bernie’s and
Graham were matched against Mark Breame, Peter Redshawe and Jean Phillips, the
Humberside captain. Going into the 4th end the Stockport
lads had opened a lead of three shots to nil but the Humberside trio hit back
with 2 shots to cut their deficit to 1. 2 shots to Stockport
in the 5th were followed by 1 for Humberside in the 6th.
2 shots for Stockport in the 7th and 2 for Humberside in the 8th
saw the score at 7 shots to 5 in favour of Stockport
as they entered the final three ends. Stockport
maintained their grip on the game scoring a further 4 shots with no reply from
the Humberside team. The final score being 11 shots to 5 as Stockport
ran out comfortable winners.
Stockport’s second game saw them taking on the
Humberside trio of David Foreman, Eva Dayes and Simon Smith; the Stockport trio
was really hitting form now and excellent bowling saw them take a very strong
grip on the game as they ran in 8 shots without reply by the end of the 5th.
Humberside opened their account with 2 shots in the 6th, but this
was answered with a further 7 shots by Stockport
as they led 15 shots to 2 at the end of the 10th. Humberside picked
up a consolation of 2 shots from the 11th as the Stockport
trio picked up their fourth team point winning the game 15 shots to
Humberside’s 5. Another excellent performance by this trio and which also gave
the triples team an excellent start to securing the extra two points for the
overall aggregate scores total.
Charlie, Paul and Ron’s first game was against Dave,
Eva and Simon and the Stockport trio got away
to a flying start scoring 9 shots to nil by the end of the 5th.
Humberside came back with 3 shots from ends 6 and 7 to which Stockport
replied with a single in the 8th. Both trios then scored two more
shots apiece as Stockport romped home with a
score of 12 shots to Humberside’s 5.
After an excellent lunch the Stockport
trio faced Mark, Peter and Tom Glossop; Tom was called in as a late replacement
for the Humberside skipper, Jean Phillips. Whether it was the excellent lunch
or the skill of Jean’s replacement, Tom or whatever the reason by the end of
the 2nd end Stockport were left reeling at 7 shots to nil and a good
hiding looked imminent. Then it appeared as though someone had switched the Stockport trio’s lights on as they proceeded to take the
Humberside trio apart to some tune. Scoring three singles, a couple of two’s,
followed by a three then a five and finally, in the 10th an
excellent 4 wrapped up the game by the end of the 10th with
Stockport 19 shots to Humberside’s 7. The home team took 2 shots in the 11th
as the game finished 19 shots to 9 in favour of Stockport.
Another excellent performance from the Stockport
trio’s as they secured a maximum 8 points plus the extra 2 for the winning
aggregate score.
Representing Stockport
in the fours was:
1. Paula
Moores (Queensgate), John Pajak (Woodley A), Geoff Griffiths (Woodley A) and Barrie
Chadwick (Europa)
2. Louise
Smith (Avons), David Bates (Great Moor), Jan Wilson (Smithy Green) and Alison Boulton (Denton A)
Paula, John, Geoff and Barrie’s first game was against the
Humberside foursome made up of Pat Clubley; Val Langton; Gordon Miller; and
Anne Hall. Stockport took the opening end with
an excellent 3 shots to which Humberside replied with a single shot in the 2nd.
Ends 3, 4 and 5 saw Stockport extend their
lead to 10 shots to 1 with two good threes and a single. Good steady bowling by
Stockport was restricting the Humberside
four’s chances as they only managed 1 shot that came in the 6th. 1
shot for Stockport in the 7th was
followed in the 8th with 1 shot to Humberside. Stockport
then sealed an emphatic win with 2 shots in the 9th to coast home 13
shots to 3; and two well earned points.
Their second game came against Val Smith, Maureen
Glossop, Maxine Grace and David Rutt. As other events at the time later proved,
the result of this game was to turn out to be extremely important for both
sides. Humberside opened with a single shot which Stockport
replied to in the 2nd; followed by another single in the 3rd
and a 2 in the 4th to take an early lead of 4 shots to 1. It was
around this period of the match that the mathematicians in the teams began to
realise that the result of this game would either give Humberside a draw; or Stockport a win. Then Humberside struck in the 5th
and 6th ends, taking a 2 and a 4 to lead Stockport 7 shots to Stockport’s 4. Stockport
fought hard but could not break their opponents resolve Humberside took 2 more
singles in ends 7 and 8 to lead 9-4. Stockport
then took 2 shots from the final end as the game finished 9 shots to 6 in
favour of Humberside and they also took the points for the winning aggregate
score.
Louise, David, Jan and Allison faced Val, Maureen,
Maxine and David in their opening game and after four ends had a comfortable
lead of 4 shots to 1. Humberside then got into their stride and took 2 shots in
the 5th, 2 shots in the 6th and 3 shots in the 7th to
race into an 8 shots to 4 lead over the Stockport 4. With only two ends left Stockport were really up against it but stuck to their
task taking 2 shots in the 8th to trail Humberside by 2 shots as
they went into the last end, the 9th. Tight bowling from both teams
restricted any chance of a high score and Humberside nicked the end with a
single shot to take the game 9 shots to 6. A very good effort from the Stockport four but the 7 shots they conceded in the
middle ends proved too much to claw back.
Stockport’s second game was against Pat, Val, Gordon
and Anne, and the first five ends proved to be a very tight affair with
Stockport edging the score at 3 shots to 2, with all shots being singles.
Unfortunately, that was the end of Stockport’s scoring as Humberside took two
3s, a 2 and a single from the last four ends to take the game 11 shots to Stockport’s 3.
Both teams were congratulated on the match with a draw
being a fair result on the day’s performances. Thanks was also given to the
staff of The North Cave Bowling Club for their efforts in keeping both teams
well fed and watered (and supplied with eggs!). This is an excellent club with
great facilities.
I have been to see John Metcalfe again. He is, as
usual fed up as he and Pat are still in limbo regarding what is going to happen
to John. At present it looks as though John might have to go to Wythenshawe for
other tests. If you can find any spare time please pop in and see John; he will
be very glad to see you. He is still in Ward B4 in the old part of Stepping
Hill and visiting times are 2pm-4pm and 7pm-8pm.
Stockport’s next game is away against North Yorkshire on Sunday 29th November, 2009.
The team will be travelling by coach, details of which
have yet to be finalised; everyone will be informed as soon as practicable.
The team to face North Yorkshire
is:
SINGLES: Adam
Smith (Avons) and Bernard Fennell (Hazel Grove)
DOUBLES: Win
Thompson (Woodley) and Bill Burn (Poynton)
DOUBLES: Rhona
Mason (Poynton) and Scott Smith (Avons)
TRIPLES: Paul
Mason (Poynton); Ron Hamilton (Woodley) and
Lesley Fennell (Hazel Grove)
John
Lax (Woodley); Graham Edwards (Woodbank) and Bernie Thorley (GMMC)
FOURS: Paula
Moores (Queensgate); Jan Wilson (Smithy Green);
John Pajak (Woodley) and Bob Thompson (Woodley).
Charlie
Cooper (Denton); Louise Smith (Avons); Allison Boulton (Denton) and Barrie
Chadwick (Europa)
To finish off, folks, here is the early league table:
2009/10
LEAGUE POSITIONS
.50
|
DIVISION ONE
|
|
TEAM
|
PLAYED
|
WON
|
LOST
|
DRAWN
|
POINTS
|
SHOT
DIFF
|
|
STOCKPORT
|
2222222
|
111
|
|
1
|
44
|
4 +5050
|
|
WEST
YORKSHIRE A
|
22
|
|
222
|
|
29
|
-7878
|
|
DERBYSHIRE
|
1
|
111
|
|
|
27
|
+42
|
|
HUMBERSIDE
A
|
1
|
|
|
1 11
|
20
|
-14
|
|
NORTH
YORKSHIRE A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ron Hamilton (Stockport)
28th October, 2009.