Surprises on the bowling greens

Great Yarmouth & District League by John Vince

WITH most results coming in concerning Division One, the result of the week rests between Gorleston Conservatives' 6�-�, 86-62 shots, win at Woodbastwick and Runham's 91-65 shot 6-1 win at Gorleston EBF. Not the results you would expect - but that's bowls.

Back to normal service when Runham went to Acle, with Acle taking the honours 83-65, 6-1. They were unable to repeat the dose when Burlingham came along and had to concede a 5-2 loss (66-75), but then took it out on the Conservatives in the next game, romping home 99-40, a 7-0 victory.

Burlingham retained this form at Northgate, bringing home all seven points and winning 112-47. Then they just slipped up when going for three in a row, losing 75-76, 2-5 at home to Martham A.

Woodbastwick also had a close run thing at home to Potter, with a 6-1win but it was close on shots at 68-65.

Very few reports from Division Two, apart from Ormesby recording a 6-1 away win to Filby A (81-69) and Martham B showing improved form with a 89-72 shot, 5-2, win at home to Winterton.

Bradwell Bowling Club

IN good heart and fine style Bradwell bowlers won six of their matches in the week beginning May 18, including progressing in the Bob Whittley Shield from a match at home to Lound, producing some excellent scoring.

Keith Cooke, Ted Connellan and George Barnes conceded four shots on the first but lost only two more ends, amassing 34-9. A similar approach gave Ken Saward, Colin Deverill and Mick Marshall 25-10.

The other two rinks met sterner opposition. Tom Williams, Ken Hall and Ron Beardall, rested on their laurels on the 15th to 17th ends and lost the last two but their earlier dominance served them well, 19-15.

Malcolm French, John Malcolm and Terry Payne endured six and five against them and had no time to recover, 13-24.

Playing away to Acle B in the Hansells Norfolk County EBA League, Bradwell achieved 54 shots to 53 overall. All three Bradwell blocks kept in touch with their opponents, but Malcolm French, Ollie Scarfe, Terry Payne and Eddie Macdonald were unstoppable to 25-10.

Bradwell played away against Fleggburgh Private in the Lovewell Blake Malta Cup League and took six points. Tom Williams, Paul Vincent and Colin Deverill, were steady and determined to 17-12. Bryan Vincent, Ted Connellan and Terry Payne glided ahead on the tenth to record 17-11. Peter King, Ken Hall and Ron Beardall took four shots on the seventh and building on this lead, collected 13 shots over the last five ends for 25-8.

Another win, 47-45 and five points, for Bradwell came from the away match against Ormesby Red in the Norfolk Federation League. Malcolm French, Ken Saward and Terry Payne gathered 25-11 and although theirs was the only victory, the other Bradwell triples provided strong support.

A match in the Lowestoft and District League ended 79-71 for Bradwell at Blundeston. Anne Baker, Terry Gallant and John Sargent, having lost the first five ends, turned at bay, taking the last six in multiples for 23-15. Bryan Vincent, Frank Hatton and Thelma Bradnum led from the 10th for a very useful 22-16 while Tom Hall, Brian Pilgrim and Bryan Goffin, chasing, recorded 21-22. Jean Fagan, Ivan Rudge and Mick Marshall in a close-scoring game, finished 13-18.

Of the two matches in the Lothingland League, the home match against Northgate produced another satisfying win for the Bradwell team.

Jean Fagan, Sheila Bean and Ken Hall especially excelled with an overwhelming 32-8. They allowed no score against them after the tenth end. Closer was the game enjoyed by Liz Ward, John Ward and Thelma Bradnum, 22-13 while even closer was that of Diane Purnell, Joy Williams and Eddie Macdonald, foiled by one on the last, 20-21.

Tom Hall, Derek Patterson and Bryan Goffin contributed a welcome 17-14, weathering three shots against them on the last end.

Browston Hall Bowls

BOTH teams in the Malta Cup League recorded wins. The A team at home to Ormesby were in good form winning 96-39 and taking all seven points.

D Pratt, R Barrett, and J Rounce top rink 35-10, G Downing 23-7, D Noble 21-11, and P Morris 17-11. The B team visited Martham and took six points winning 78-57, P Chaplin, N Miller and S Parker won 22-11, D Farman, G Brister and C Posner 23-12 and M Parker 20-11, M Harvey 13-23.

In the County League, Gorleston visited, and the B team took all five points, but at halfway there was only one shot difference 29-28.

M Harvey, B Myhill. W Good and J Kelsall took an early lead and with consistent scoring ran out 28-9 winners. M Parker's block had a much closer game 17-17 at the 20th end and one shot on the final end gave them a point. D Farman also in a close fought game won 19-15. The EDF team, after a good start to the season, lost 9-0 at home to a strong Filby side.

Martham Bowls Club

IN the Men's EBA Martham played Cantley and won 84-58 (4-1), Les Smiths' block winning by 41-13.

On Friday in the Malta League Martham A went to Yarmouth and all blocks were close. Two blocks won by one shot one by two shots and Les Smith was top block again winning by four shots for all seven points.

In the Yarmouth League, Martham A's results were Burlingham 75 (2), Martham A 76 (5) and in the Watering Bowl Martham A 66, Woodbastwick 85.

Marth am's B team won 89-72 (5-2) at home to Winterton. Top scoring block was Colin Starkings, Roy Land and Ron Manser.

Martham's B team have made a good start to the cup matches winning the first round of the Lacon Cup against Runham 84-59 and the first round of the Watering Bowl 85-65 against Gorleston Cons.

In the Ladies' League, Martham continue their good start travelling to Freethorpe they lost on two rinks but with Monica Fisher, Sandra Faircloth and Sheena Siely winning by 25 shots Martham won the game 57-59 (2-4).

Martham Bowls Club offers free coaching for beginners on Saturday mornings from 9.30-11am for adults and juniors. Bowls are provided but flat-soled shoes must be worn.

We are located at the playing field on Rollesby Road and further details can be obtained from the club secretary on 01493 740890.

Martham Bowls Club invites entries for age 16 and Under Open Singles Tournament to be held on Sunday, June 28 from 10am. Entry fee is �2 and must be booked, refreshments available. Closing date is on June 14. Entry forms and further details from Susan Moore 01493 740052.

Rollesby BC

ROLLESBY travelled to Horning for the first leg of the Broadland Rotary Shield hoping to keep the scores as close as possible before the return leg and home advantage.

Things turned out quite well for the visitors, as despite 12-25 and 15-16 defeats on two rinks, the blocks of C Johnson, E Taylor and G Curtis 26-15 and M Coots, D Gammon and T Coots 28-17 ensured that Rollesby will start the second leg with an eight-shot advantage.

Away on the neutral top green, Rollesby encountered Hickling in the Watering Bowl and never really competed to their ability. Defeats of 14-26, 13-27 and 10-18 were the order of the night but credit to the block of J Avery, A Palmer and T Avery who despite trailing for most of the match, scored shots in the last three ends to record a 22-19 win. Overall: 59-90.

Away to Acle in the County Three Wood League, Rollesby pulled off an unexpected victory. The block of A Christie, R Austin and D Gammon were cruising at 14 ends with a 15-8 lead but Acle stormed back with 12 shots in the last four to take the game 15-20.

T Bolton, R Blunden and B Catchpole had a ding-dong game that stood all level on the penultimate end and claimed victory with two shots on 18th end, score 21-19. Block of the night were J Austin, P Taylor and T Avery who scored heavily throughout the match to record a 38-8 win. Overall score 74-47, points 7-2.