Bowls clubs busy

Martham Bowls Club

LAST week was a busy one for Martham's EBA squad.

On Monday the Malta A team faced the bracing winds on Gorleston Cliffs and on 13 ends they were winning on three rinks.

A water sprinkler came on, and when they eventually managed to turn it off the rink that was losing dropped eight more shots to lose 12-27.

The other three rinks got 22 shots and dropped seven shots to win 80-60 (1-6).

On Wednesday in the County League playing County Arts C at home, all three blocks won well to win 77-43 (5-0).

On Friday, Martham went to County Arts to play their A team in the Bales Cup.

On a very quick green they were beaten on all three rinks to lose 41-70. Jeff Watson's rink played well but they dropped two shots on the last end to lose to Brian Taylor's rink 14-13.

On Sunday Martham travelled to Freethorpe in the Jermy Cup and lost a very competitive game by nine shots 57-48.

Martham's B team played Potter Heigham away in the Donny Pearce Cup.

It was a very close game, Martham three shots ahead and Potter Heigham holding three shots with one wood left to play. Eric Faircloth managed to get three wood for Martham to win by one shot 67-68.

In the Norfolk League, Martham A at home to Caister Castaways won on two rinks with the overall score 58-40, gaining seven points. Top rink was Jessica Ward, Graham Bowgen and Pam Symes.

Martha B were away to Rollesby and with one block winning gained two points 49-40. Winning block Maureen Brighton, Ethel Watson and Ron Manser.

Mark Pratt, Gary Hewitt and Jeff Watson have reached the federation area finals on July 4 in both the two wood and three wood rinks.

In the U25s federation pairs Jessica Ward and Edward Lambert played Dan Mills and Jack Brown at Martham. After Jessica and Edward took the lead Dan and Jack slowly pulled back. Jessica and Edward hung on to win 16-15.

They will now meet Ash and Did Smith at the area finals on July 4.

Previously, in the Malta Cup, Martham A played Bradwell A at home.

One block was won by one shot and another by two, with one losing by six shots. Gino Gallant, Terry Watson and Ron Manser won by nine points 64-58 (6-1).

In the EBA League at home against Ormesby another close game was played out.

On 10 ends Martham were six shots down 24-30. Jeff Watson's block were seven shots up and went on to win 24-17. Gary Hewitt's four were two down and went on to lose by two

12-14.

The block skipped by Ron Manser 4-15 down won nine of the last ends to win 20-16 for a result of 56-47 (4-1).

In the Lord Fermoy Cup, Martham played RG Carter. The block at home skipped by Les Smith dropped a four on the last end to lose by nine shots. Away, Mark Pratt, Terry Watson, Gary Hewitt and Jeff Watson won by 12 shots to move into the next round.

Mark Pratt who went to Freethorpe and beat M Church in the EBA singles 16-21.

In the Yarmouth League, Martham A went to Halvergate Top Green and lost 79-77 (5-2). At home they entertained Fleggburgh Private and won 86-57 (6-1).

In the Lacon Cup, Martham A lost to Acle 62-83, and in the Watering Bowl they beat Martham B 102-52.

Martham Ladies at home against Great Plumstead won on only one rink 38-56 (1-5). Winning block Sandra Faircloth, Sue Moore and Edna Land.

In the Norfolk County League, Martham B were away to Ormesby Blue, winning on one rink to get two points. Winning block Fred Brighton, Glenda Sewell and Debra Nicholson.

The youth section continues to expand with ongoing school projects plus cup competitions and tournaments organised for the club specially for under-16s.

Several youngsters are now included in the Norfolk U25 squad and Jessica Ward is doing well in competitions having won the four wood U25 pairs semi-final with partner Sophie Blanche 21-14 (date and venue of final to be arranged).

She was also congratulated on her excellent performance in the four wood singles against Stephanie Wells of Swardeston. Jessica maintained a narrow lead throughout but dropped three shots on the final end to lose 21-19.

In the two wood singles Jessica played Jenna Slaughter and lost

21-11.

Martham are going to the Greyhounds on July 10 to take part in the Great Yarmouth Stadium Trap Challenge. Tickets are �5 each. Put names on list in the clubhouse.

Rollesby Bowls Club

A RATHER quiet and forgettable week started with an away match in the Duffield League at Repps where fortunes were reversed from the earlier reverse fixture. The visitors could only manage a win and a draw on two rinks which were undone on the two losing rinks. J Mason, P Taylor, F Walker 14-9; J Wheaton, C Johnson, D Gammon 11-11. Overall score 47-56, points 3-7.

Two matches in the Broadland League dampened any hopes of a lofty finish this season with games that Rollesby, although the visitors in both, should have and could have won.

At Filby, victories on two rinks plus a draw on another were not enough to counter the heavy defeat on the remaining rink and Rollesby lost 69-80, points 2.5-4.5. In the last five ends, across all four rinks, Rollesby scored 12 shots against 25. F Walker, E Taylor, G Curtis 22-23; J Mason, M Coots, J Catchpole 21-17; J Temple, T Coots, T Avery 17-17).

Away to Blofield Heath, usually a happy hunting ground for Rollesby, the visitors again let a good lead slip.

Bowls is turning into a game of two halves for Rollesby, as at the halfway stage they were leading by 19 shots, which narrowed to eight shots at 15 ends, only to see the lead disappear completely and result in a 72-78 defeat, points 1-6.

Worth noting again that the visitors scored nine shots against 26 in the last five ends. If Rollesby could find a 15-end league, they would surely be favourites for the title! F Walker, T Wright, E Taylor 23-18.

Ormesby Bowls Club

IN the Ladies Malta Cup Ormesby lost 42 to 46 against Caister.

The visitors had problems attending due to a serious road accident nearby.

Ormesby lost to St Marks in the EBA playing one man short. Despite winning 19-16, R Pope, K Dongray and P Clutterbuck had to forfeit 25 per cent of their score, therefore losing the rink.

J Farrow, C Fortescue, D Humphries and J Nickerson were 16-0 down after four ends but fought back only to lose 23-16. Best Ormesby block was B Horne, K Scott-Greenard, K Hunt and C Brooker winning 18-12. The match was lost 4-1 and three shots difference after the 25 per cent deduction.

In the Great Yarmouth and District League, Ormesby B team fared better, winning 75-73 (4.5-2.5 ) against Filby. Winning Ormesby block S McCullough, D Horne and R Myers.

The Ormesby A team played away to Gorleston and lost on all rinks with 58 shots against 98 (7-0).

The match against Runham has been rearranged for August 12.

In the Malta Cup, Ormesby lost at home to Cantley 56-66 (2-5). Best Ormesby Block F Shaw, K Dongray and P Clutterbuck.

In individual county competitions, Paul Clutterbuck has reached the finals of the two wood singles and the mixed pairs partnering his wife, Michelle. The finals will be held on July 4 at Caister Bowls Club.

Bradwell Bowls Club

OF the eight league matches played all at home Bradwell won four and lost four.

In the Lovewell Blake Men's Malta Cup the A team had a convincing 6-1 win over Acle who had to play a man short. M French, C Deverill T Payne led the field, winning 30-7.

The B team had a reversal of fortunes losing 1-6 to Cantley, the only winning block T Gallant, G Coxsey and D Patterson 26-18.

The Hansells EBA B team had their good start to the season dented by a 4-1 defeat by Freethorpe despite P Smith. E Brooks, P Ridler and J Watson winning 20-16.

In the Norfolk Federation League, Bradwell Reds had a very close game against Caister A with very little in the scores on all rinks. Bradwell won 45-41 gaining seven points to two against. Top rink was T Connellan, J Sargent and R Beardall 13-9.

The Green team also had a 7-2 win against Caister Centurions helped by a good result from P King, A Harrison and T Williams 25-9.

Howeve,r there was a reversal of fortunes later in the week when they suffered a 2-7 defeat at the hands of Ormesby Blue despite a good 15-9 win by D Purnell, A Harrison and P Ridler.

Good results were achieved in the Lothingland League with a 5-2 win against Fritton, largely helped by a 20-9 result from M Okeefe D Smith and B Goffin.

Bradwell move into the second round of the Bob Whittley Shield competition with a resounding 87-56 win over Gorleston Conservatives, T Gallant, J Laxton and T Hall showing the way with a score of 34-8.

Next game is away at Oulton Broad.

In the Sunshine League, Bradwell continue to struggle, losing 5-1 to Sparrows Nest. The one winning rink of T Hall, T Williams and J Ward 17-12 brings the season's points total up to five.

There are still some places available in Bradwell's open tournaments to be held on July 18, August 1 and August 15.

Ring Andy Cameron on 01502 517379 for entry details.

Winner of the Saturday drive was Peter King with a score of 32 points with the runner-up George Coxsey on 29 points.

Members are reminded that the annual Charity Day in aid of the local Red Cross takes place tomorrow at 2pm. All members and friends of the club are welcome to come and support this event.

On Sunday the annual Chairman's Invitation Shield tournament takes place at 10am.

With the club entering teams in this competition, supporters are welcome.

Caister Bowls Club

In the EBA Hansell League Caister played at Norwich Union losing (0-5).

In the Malta Cup, Caister played at Freethorpe B and drew 71-71 (3.5-3.5).

Caister Ladies, playing away at Ormesby, won 46-42 (4-2).

In the Federation County League, Caister A away to Bradwell Red lost 41-45 (2-7). Caister Castaways away at Martham A lost 40-68 (2-7).

Caister Centurions played twice last week, first away at Bradwell Green losing 36-56 (2-7) and then at home to Acle winning 55-40 (7-2).

In the Yarmouth League, Caister B playing at home against Repps won 79-74 (5-2).

Cup matches: Caister A, playing the in Donny Peace second round against Acle at Acle, won 74-71.

Caister B playing in the County Subsidiary Cup at home against Swanton Abbott lost 54-100.

Norfolk U25s played Suffolk U25s at Acle St Edmunds on Sunday.

Scores (Norfolk names first): Jordan Groves, Matty Sparrow and Ashley Smith 24, G Marwood, T Felgate and M Debnam 29; Jess Ward, Daniel Ballantyne and David Smith 32, K Clarke, J Bullock and P Cullum 24; Shane Mitchell, Sophie Blance and Jenna Slaughter 21, C Parfitt, L Clarke and L Spraggs 38; Sammi Coverdale, Daniel Mills and Matthew Carter 21, D Moss, L Stevens and C Lucas 24.

Final score: Norfolk 98, Suffolk 115.