UK BOWLS SECTION     V     UK POLICE

DATE: AUG 16TH 2006 VENUE: Heaton Hall Bowling Club, Heaton Park, Prestwich, Manchester.

RINK

LEAD

TWO

THREE

SKIP

1 (1)

WON 29-13

W SNEDDON

R FRANCE

D LYNCH

A STURROCK

2 (3)

LOST 22-16

J THOMPSON

C SCOTT

N GLASGOW

R DONALDSON

3 (4)

WON 30-9 *

J BUDGE

R HALLAM

B MILNE

M GEORGE

4 (5)

LOST 21-10

B GREGORY

R LOUDEN

T SALLIS

J BRYCE

5 (2)

LOST 19-9

C ANDREWS

J ROBERTSON

B MARTIN

C DICKENS

6 (6)

LOST 23-22

A BEDFORD

D FLEMMING

S HALL

A McGUINN
FINAL SCORE

FIRE: 116

POLICE: 107

DIFF: +9

RESERVES

* TOP RINK

() actual rink played otd

 

MATCH REPORT

For once a team that changed very little (only 3 withdrawals) from the original players that made themselves available. The traveling reserve (which we usually do not have) had to be deployed at the last moment due to one player not turning up on the day.

Though a little overcast at times, the rain held off and the green, despite its appearance, bowled very well with a nice feel and pace. For the 1st time this year the teams were playing for a perennial shield, donated by UK Fire, specifically for this fixture.

The Final team was made of: 11 Scottish, 9 English & 4 Northern Ireland players (unfortunately due, once again to a clash of dates, no Welsh players were available). All rinks were mixed, which gave the side a real ‘British feel’. Judging by the camaraderie and shouts of encouragement on the green everyone integrated well and enjoyed themselves and more importantly played well, which was extremely gratifying.

The early stages set the scene with us being +6 at 6 ends and + 1 at 12. The closing stages were just as tense with the position at 18 ends being all square. Ends 19 & 20 proved decisive with us going +2 & + 5 respectively. Then the coup de gras - two rinks were, after the first eight woods, initially 5/6 shots down on the last end, however, with impressive coolness the two respective back end teams turned the play round.

SUMMARY: True we only won on two rinks (though rink 6 were unlucky not to win the last end – after coming back from being 6 shots down at the 13th end to drawing going into end 21!) but thanks to those, being well up, keeping the pedal down throughout the match and, those who were slipping behind digging in, keeping their nerve and most improving their deficit over the closing ends we walked away with a well earned and deserved 9 shot victory over a strong Police team – avenging last years defeat at Rugby.

Had just one or two more of our top players made themselves available I am convinced we could have matched the shot gap of last year. Having said that the team were magnificent on the day – WELL DONE.

Malcolm George (Captain)