Norfolk Over 60’s away match against Friends of Essex at Laindon was their first meeting since the sad and untimely death of Tony Ealham who founded the Friends of Essex. The match raised a total of £476 for the British Heart Foundation which was the charity nominated at Tony Ealham’s funeral. The day was another opportunity to remember the man who was highly respected by so many in the sport of short mat bowls and who was a friend to so many people both in bowls and of course in football as he followed his beloved West Ham.
On a day like this the result was secondary but Norfolk Over 60s will be pleased, and probably quite surprised, to have pulled off a 67-61 points win and finish with 545 shots against 504. With several regular players unavailable Norfolk saw a number of players making their debut for Norfolk Over 60s and they did not disappoint in the eight session marathon. Friends of Essex made a great start winning the first triples session 10-6 on points with triples skipped by Andy George, Richard Broad & Richard Moore scoring Norfolk’s three wins. Norfolk hit back to level the game in the second session featuring pairs games. Norfolk captain Steve Easter and Pauline Wilson won 12-7, Pat Hall & David Aldous won 9-7, Lesley & Brian Turner won 12-8, Will Townsend & Terry Newby won 11-4 and Lynn & John Boddye won 10-6. The next two sessions were tight with Essex winning the triples session 9-7 on points and the second pairs session shared at 8 points apiece. Session Five proved to be a vital ingredient in Norfolk’s victory as they won seven of the eight triples games to move 45-35 up on points with Cat Walker, Reg Wilson & Andy George scoring an impressive 16-5 win. The sixth session was drawn 8-8 on points but Essex gave themselves a boost winning the seventh session 10-6 although Norfolk scored more shots as Kerry Greenacre, Teresa Goldsmith & Trish Taylor won their game by 17-1. The final session of the day was drawn with Norfolk wins delivered by Will Townsend & Terry Newby by 12-9, Jill Hayman & George Hume by 15-4, Pat Hall & David Aldous by 11-4 and Lesley & Brian Turner by 13-3. Three Norfolk triples scored six points each over the course of the match. They were Cat Walker, Reg Wilson & Andy George, Kerry Greenacre, Teresa Goldsmith & Trish Taylor and Sue Colledge, Aleck Haynes & Richard Moore. In the pairs Will Townsend & Terry Newby earned eight points with four straight wins. Three other pairs scored six points apiece. They were Pat Hall & David Aldous, Lesley & Brian Turner and Jill Hayman & George Hume. The return match will take place at Hingham on Sunday 17th August.
Cat Walker, Sue Colledge, Jean Gardiner, Joy Neave, George Cody,
Andrew Smith & Barbara Smith all played for Norfolk Ovewr 60s
Carol & Bob Taylor were active in arranging the match for FOE
Emily Poulter - a great credit to FOE on the day
David Blundell