Norfolk Over 60’s entertained Arthur Jackson’s Select at Hingham Sports Centre on Saturday in their annual battle to win the Challenge Match Shield. After Arthur’s Select, made up of bowlers from North Yorkshire, Hertfordshire & Derbyshire captured the Shield in Easingwold last year Teresa Goldsmith’s Norfolk side were determined to win it back to make it three wins in four years. The home side made a great start winning five games and drawing one in the first session while Jackson’s team only won on two mats. The second session saw Norfolk winning seven of the eight games establishing a 25-7 lead on points. Norfolk’s control of the match continued in the third session with six wins to Jackson’s two and the lead was now a massive 37-11. The visitors fared better in the fourth session which saw Norfolk win 9-7 on points but a 10-6 points win in the fifth session saw Norfolk move 56-24 ahead. Session six was drawn with both sides winning four games but on session seven Arthur Jackson’s team lifted their spirits with a 10-6 points win. This left Norfolk Over 60’s certain of victory going into the final session and maybe this affected their concentration as the visitors won the session 11-5. The final scoreline saw Norfolk Over 60’s on 75 points and 542 shots with Arthur Jackson’s Select on 53 points and 443 shots. Norfolk’s Jenny Walker, Colin Hayman & Selwyn Goldsmith won their four games by 10-7, 9-1, 10-6 & 17-3. Peter Walker & David Aldous won their four games by 13-0, 12-4, 10-6 & 8-3 with John Jeffries, Lesley Turner & Wendy Tweed sharing the lead position over the four games. On Sunday the traditional “Friendship Triples” were played with the 32 triples made up of a mixture of players from both sides playing four games each. A jovial day of bowls was enjoyed by all with the lovely cake served a deserved bonus. The winners of the Friendship Triples were Kathy Girling, Gill Alnutt & Richard Broad with maximum points and a shot difference of +29. The runners-up were John Boddye, Pat Hall & Robert Munford who were just one shot behind on +28. The only other triple to gain maximum points were Judith Fearns, Hayley Osborne & Chris Prendagast who finished with a +14 shot difference. All the bowlers are already looking forward to next year’s match which will be played in Easingwold in August where Arthur Jackson’s Select will be eager to win back the Shield on home ground.
Norfolk Over 60's captain Steve Easter with Arthur Jackson at Hingham
Action from the weekend at Hingham Sports Centre
Steve Easter with Norfolk Over 60's Organiser Teresa Goldsmith and Arthur Jackson
Four wins for Peter Walker & David Aldous in the Shield Challenge on Saturday
Four wins for Colin Hayman, Jenny Walker & Selwyn Goldsmith in the Shield
Friendship Triples winners Richard Broad, Gill Alnutt & Kathy Girling on Sunday
Friendship Triples runners-up Robert Munford, Pat Hall & John Boddye