The ESMBA have announced the allocations for this season’s National Championship places which sees Norfolk a disappointing eleventh in total number of places allocated. For many years Norfolk was regularly among the top three counties when it came to places earned but a big drop in entry numbers in recent years have seen the number of allocated places plummet. Looking back a few years Norfolk normally received a full allocation of four entries in each event but sadly that is now a thing of the past. Despite the events suffering a loss in revenue, due to the low entries, the NCSMBA Management Committee reduced entry fees this season in an effort to increase numbers but this seems to have had little effect in addressing the worrying situation. While the events still prove a major draw for players in Norfolk’s County Squad the vast majority of club players do not enter the competitions. The reason why is a matter of conjecture with various reasons suggested as to why numbers are now so low. Some suggest that the journey to the National Finals, and the cost of travel and accommodation, is part of the reason. Others say that they feel they have little chance against the top Norfolk bowlers who tend to dominate the competitions. Others will suggest that the majority of players in many of our clubs have just lost interest in competing at a higher level. Certainly it seems that it is just our most successful club sides such as Bob Carter, Wymondham, Halvergate & Expendables who provide most of the entries along with the always pro-active Thetford. What is in no doubt is that any bowler who seriously wants to improve their game will only do so by playing the best bowlers around, and in Norfolk where a number of talented England internationals take part in these events, they have that opportunity.
This year Oxfordshire, with a total number of 27, have the highest number of allocated National Final places. They are closely followed by Devon and Hampshire with 25 places each and Hertfordshire with 24. A resurgence of interest in Essex has earned them 23 places and West Sussex and Cornwall both have 21 places. An impressive 20 allocated places have been earned by neighbours Suffolk as well as Northants and Dorset. Then Norfolk appear on the list with seventeen places. Very low entry numbers in Cambridgeshire earn them just 3 places, one each in the Singles, Mixed Fours and Over 55s Pairs. Some counties have no entries at all. These are Staffordshire, London, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Cumbria, County Durham and Buckinghamshire.
Chris Willies & Jack Marshall will represent Norfolk in National Pairs