Well done to Jacqui, Karen, Steve, Tina, Mike, Roy, Shaf, Scott, Tony, Andy, Lucy and Dawn who turned up for R&B League match at Ashford when Storm Anthony was having a good go at annoying outdoor bowlers across the country!

Thunder and lightning with heavy showers at 2:00 pm and the Ashford green appeared unplayable.
The rain eased off 25 mins later and it was decided that the game be reduced to 15 ends in the hope that we could play all through.

Full wets on, the game commenced. Steve’s team got off to a good start – better than the other two rinks
45 mins later …

… the wets were off and sun was out and it felt warm.
20 mins later the wets were back on!

Andy’s team pulled back from a long way down losing 11-15 whilst Steve’s hung on to their lead and won 13-7.
On the other rink, Dawn’s team kept going down by 1 shot (grrr) but clung on and picked up a 4 which reduced the deficit. On the 14th end, one down, Roy went for the bowl … missed … and managed to ditch the jack following it for an unbeatable shot. Fortunately Dawn came in for second so headed into the final end 14-12 up and needed to keep the shots.
Shaf, at 2 came in for shot while Karen had put the back bowls in. Roy had a couple of good bowls then Dawn played a rubbish bowl and Ashford’s skip went for the split and nearly made it but they were still holding. From out of nowhere Dawn drew a perfect draw leaving the Ashford skip with a real pressure shot to get at least two. He took the jack back for 1.

Result: 2-1 in rinks and 36-33 in shots to Cambridge Park keeping us top of the league. Ashford could still overtake us as they still have to games in hand but think they need clean sweeps to pass us, which of course is entirely possible.
However Cambridge Park could be in the final and that hasn’t happened for many years. Well done everyone. Great result today! Thanks to Tricia and Corale for their support. Gold stars all round!

It was Lucy’s final match for Cambridge Park before she heads off across the sea to Ireland with Merve & Mabel on Tuesday. We shall miss you and wish you well at the start of your new adventure.