Author: Dawn Slaughter

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Middlesex Finals Day – Afters!

A very successful Middlesex Ladies Finals Day in searing heat yesterday.
On the Cambridge Park front, there were wins for Cathy T in Over 55 Singles and Over 55 Pairs with Tina, who also won the Benevolent Triples with Frances Donohue and sub Dawn Slaughter.
Congratulations also to Sarah & Lucy who, after losing the Benevolent Triples final first thing then winning the 2 Bowl Pairs semi-final adn then the final!
Tina & Cathy also played 3 games as they had pairs semis as well as the final. Well done for all of them lasting the pace as well as the heat.
Thanks to Norman,  Cathy, Marie C, Karen g, Mike C, Jane and all the other club members who chipped in to help around the club to make the day enjoyable for all the spectators. The new chairs dropped off by Anthony H and colleague were very well received with the number of spectators we had and thanks to Terry & Paul for the lunchtime catering, enjoyed by all.
Yet again, dutifully yet willingly thanks to Jacquie Elkin and Dee Hardy (and supporting partner, Chas) who lasted the whole day with admin, organisation and reporting. Good to see Brian Hearn in his role as Middlesex President supporting all the girls in another event as well.
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Middlesex Ladies Finals at Cambridge Park – Saturday 13th August

On Saturday we are hosting the Middlesex Ladies Finals for competitions whose winners don’t qualify for any National Finals.

Unbadged Singles, Over 55 Singles, Over 55 Pairs, Benevolent Triples and Champion of Champions all feature.
Tina & Cathy feature in the Over 55 Pairs ; Tina, Sarah, Lucy, Tricia ( and Dawn subbing) play the Benevolent Triples and Cathy in Over 55 Singles and Sarah & Lucy in the 2 Bowl Pairs.
Play starts at 9:30 as some comps have semi finals to play.
Spectators and supporters welcome. Bring suncream, hat and water. The bar will be open for all other beverages.

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Cracking Singles in the Summer Evening

It is a beautiful summer evening with the sun bathing the surrounds of the green in warm, peaceful sunlight.

half a dozen of us are watching a Club Singles between Kevin Conway and Anthony Headland. It was neck and neck for the first 14 ends with Anthony sneaking ahead for the first time 8-7.  15 shots over 14 ends. That tells what sort of game it is.
Anthony increased his lead to 17-11 after 25 ends. Yes 25 ends!  Peter Chapman is marking and he was expecting to be home by now (19:20) and finishing off his supper. No chance!

Kevin had been holding 3 on that 25th end when Anthony snuck his 4th bowl in for shot. Then one head and shoulders dropped and the other stood proud and became more confident!

Well done Anthony. Hard luck Kevin. It really was a great match. 21-11 on paper.

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Excellent Win for Ange & Jean in the Pairs

Alas, the curtains came down on our Top Club adventure when we lost to Gerrard’s Cross ladies who played better than us on the night.

Ange & Jean had a terrific win the Pairs.
Tina, Audrey, Nadine & Cathy only lost by 2 shots.
Sarah, Lucy & Tricia gave it all they got and even when they were holding 5, the Bowls England President (who was skipping against them) came in to take the shots away. They did pick up a 5 on the 16th end, but it was too late to get enough shots in to add to our overall score.
Dawn went down by 11 shots in the Singles. Her report stated “Could do better.”

Anyway, well done to tonight’s team and Ann supporting us from afar as she was unable to play in this match. Not every club can say they made it to the last 32 in the country, so we should be proud of our achievement.
Many thanks to Norman for marking the Singles and to Mike, Steve, Barry, Teresa, Corale, Jacquie, Marie, Janice from CP and Karen from West Ealing who came over to support and thanks to Ladygate for hosting the match. Much appreciated.

We wish Gerrards Cross every success in the last 16 v either Herts or Royston and hopefully through to the quarter finals and onwards at Leamington.

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Good Luck to the Girls Tonight!

Tonight we head to Ladygate for the National Top Club last 32 v Gerrard’s Cross. A bit of juggling with the team as Ann is away but we’re still a strong side.

Singles: Dawn

Pairs: Ange & Jean

Triples: Sarah, Tricia & Lucy

Fours: Tina, Audrey, Nadine & Cathy

Wr’d love your support if you can get to Ladygate. 6.00 pm start. Ladygate Lane, Ruislip, HA4 7QX

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Well Done Tina & Good Luck to You and Cathy Today!

Tina is a busy girl.  She had a great win in the final 32 of the National Senior Singles yesterday, then went down 19-21 in the last 16.  Mike reported it was a real nailbiter!  Tina said she just had to knock her opponents bowl off the jack on (what turned out to be) the final end to get the 2 shots to win.  She knocked it off but just not quite hard enough.  Tough but it must have been a really good game.

Tina is back in action this morning with Cathy in the MIddlesex Over 55 Pairs quarter final at Ladygate starting at 10:00 am.  Cathy is also making a second appearance in the Over 55 Singles quarter final.  Good luck to both of them.  Spectators welcome at Ladygate.

On Monday evening the CP girls are out in force in the last 16 of the National Top Club competition v Gerrards Cross, also at Ladygate, so at least Tina & Cathy will get an early feel for the green.

 

Alas, Dave Pitt didn’t win his National Senior Singles last 32 match, but his opponent did go on to win the next round, putting him into the quarter finals at Leamington.

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Big Matches for Friday in Cambridgeshire!

Good luck to Tina Cooper and Dave Pitt as they enter into the Regional semi finals (the top 32 in the country) of their respective National Senior Singles representing Middlesex.

The neutral green is St Neots, so not exactly close for a band of supporters to go along unfortunately.

Tina plays at 10:00 against Cynthia Lee of Essex South and Dave plays at 12:30 against Jerry Rumball of Garston of Hertfordshire.  Wins will see them both through to the Regional Finals at 15:30 and the winners of those matches head off to Leamington for the National quarter finals at the end of the month.

There have been some terrific games at Leamington but even if some of the shots have been a little surprising, the tenacity of the teams, in particular the England Men’s Triples, just goes to show that you have to stay focussed and not let your head go down even when your opponents come right back at you.

Play well both of you.  We’ll be with you in spirit and urging you on virtually!

 

Closer to home, the Friday Night Leagues are coming to the last few weeks.  It’s great to see the green busy in the evening.  Play well and enjoy.

Unfortunately both matches this weekend have had to be cancelled due to lack of numbers.  Keep an eye out on the noticeboard and sign up for any matches you can.  They’re good fun and great for gaining experience.

 

PS  Who else saw Alex Marshall’s triple wick to split the two NZ bowls in the match this evening?  Although he was trying to split the bowls more directly, it was a very jammy shot that rewarded him with the result.  As George H would say “You have to be in the head ……”!!