Norfolk Over 60's v Arthur Jackson's Select

: Selwyn; 14 August 2023; Hits: 1009

Norfolk Over 60's v Arthur Jackson's Select

Norfolk Over 60’s weekend of bowls with Arthur Jackson’s Select took place at Hingham Sports and Social Club. Norfolk retained the shield that they won in Yorkshire last summer after a stunning comeback on the Saturday in the annual challenge match against the visitors. With both teams comprising of sixteen triples, and the match being played over eight mats, a competitive game was expected with Arthur’s Select side determined to get revenge for their defeat in last year’s encounter. The visiting team, a mixture of North Yorkshire and Hertfordshire bowlers, made a great start winning five games in the opening session to lead 10-6. There was some consolation for the home side as wins of 16-3 by Will Townsend, Glen Hume & Terry Newby and 13-3 by Ian Cornwell, Pat Hall & Selwyn Goldsmith gave the home side a 69-54 shots advantage. The second session saw Norfolk’s hopes plunge as the visitors won six of the eight games to increase their lead to 22-10 on points. Best of the home triples were Moira Stevens, David Chadwick & Colin Hayman who won 13-4. The next session saw an improvement for Norfolk Over 60’s as they edged to a 9-7 points win to reduce the deficit to ten points but Arthur Jackson’s Select hit back winning the fourth session by 10-6 to increase their lead to 39-25 at the halfway stage. With Norfolk Over 60’s having a mountain to climb a good fifth session was crucial and so it proved to be as they won on seven of the eight mats to cut the deficit to 41-39 and it was game on. The shots tally for Norfolk also received a massive boost as the Cornwell-Hall-Goldsmith triple won by 17-1, Vanessa Russell, Pauline Wilson & Tony Oram won 12-2 and David Kerslake, Jan McClintock & Trish Taylor won 10-2. Session six saw Norfolk take the lead for the first time winning by 10-6 on points to lead 49-47 with two sessions remaining. The biggest win of the session was by Val Vardy, Billie Barker & Melvyn Barker who won 14-5. Session seven produced an identical 10-6 points win which left Norfolk needing to win on just three mats in the final session to guarantee victory. That was achieved with ease as Norfolk won the last session 13-3 on points which included an 11-1 win for Richard Stevens, Graham Atter & Tony Ottewell. The final score was 72-56 to Norfolk Over 60’s on points and 498-427 on shots. Norfolk’s top triple on the day were skipped by Graham Tweed with Malcolm Southgate at number two. Wendy Tweed and Teresa Goldsmith played two games apiece in Graham Tweed’s triple as they racked up four wins. Mike Tate, Richard Broad & David Blundell and Moira Stevens, David Chadwick & Colin Hayman both recorded three wins and a draw each. Triples skipped by Terry Newby, Selwyn Goldsmith & George Hume all won three games apiece while losing one. Following the match the Shield was presented to Norfolk Over 60’s captain Steve Easter by Arthur Jackson. On Sunday the traditional mixing of the two teams took place in the Friendship Triples event. All triples contained two players from one side and one from the opposition while playing four games apiece with the top two triples receiving prizes. The winners on the day were Richard Moore, Neil Stevenson & George Hume who received wine while Mike Carter, Richard Broad & Arthur Jackson finished runners-up to claim the chocolates. A great time was had by all and Norfolk Over 60’s Organiser Teresa Goldsmith thanked all who helped make it a big success. Those were Joan Costello who ran the raffle, Mike & Jan Smail who provided the sandwiches and cakes, Cynthia who worked tirelessly in the kitchen on both days keeping the supply of tea and coffees going and those helping with umpiring including George Hume, John Jeffreys and Brian Fowler. Thanks were also given to Teresa for organising the weekend.