Halvergate and East Tuddenham faced each other once again in the Bure Cup Final with East Tuddenham having home advantage for the first leg played last Tuesday. Cup holders Halvergate found themselves trailing 7-1 on points after the first four games had been played with only a 5-5 draw for Keith Cooke’s triple against Trevor Brown’s triple to show for their efforts. Elaine Willies, John Turner & Simon Willies beat Ryan Fox’s triple 9-2 in what was to be the first of three straight wins for them. John Turner was making his first appearance since a bad fall had left him out of bowls for much of the season so will be pleased to have made a winning return. Tuddenham’s other early wins were gained by Chris Willies’ triple against David Lamb and Robin Amos’s triple against England international Jason Woods. Having gained an early advantage East Tuddenham found themselves pegged back in the third session as Keith Baker, Steve Hall & Keith Cooke won by 7-6 against Chris Willies and Mike Tate, Donna Lamb & David Lamb beat Jean Woods, Melvin Woods & Trevor Brown 5-4. With Tuddenham’s lead now reduced to just two points sessions four and five were both shared leaving Tuddenham 11-9 up on points. The home sides wins were provided by Simon Willies’ triple against Jason Woods and Trevor Brown’s triple also against Jason Woods, while Ryan Fox & Keith Cooke’s triples both earned wins for the visitors against Gillian Amos, Gerald Potter & Robin Amos. Having done well in keeping the first leg tight Halvergate found all their hard work undone in the final session. Elaine Willies, John Turner & Simon Willies scored their third win of the night beating David Lamb’s triple 6-4 while Sheila Hook, Robert Howlett & Chris Willies won by 8-4 against Ray Lamb, Robbie Lamb & Ryan Fox to give themselves a 15-9 points lead to take into the second leg at Halvergate’s venue in Upton on 28th March. With the match finely balanced the second leg could well prove very entertaining for any spectators that choose to attend.
Ray Lamb in action for cup holders Halvergate