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INDOOR BOWLS LEAGUE 2005-2006

 

All the up-to-date news from the Boston and District Indoor Bowls League 2005-2006

 

 

 

Latest reports for the 2005-2006 season at Boston Indoor Bowls Centre

 

 

SEPTEMBER 2005 WEEKLY REPORTS

Week ending September 30:

 

Miko Coffee (East Midlands) Division One

 

League leaders Cosmos negotiated a demanding Boston Indoor Bowls League encounter against Freelanders to collect all the points. Barry Freeston, Abb French and Les Feary (13-12 at 12 ends), finished by picking up three more shots without reply to win 16-12 against the Landers’ Derek Whelbourn.

Royce Reynolds, Colin Palmer and Keith French (7-7 at eight ends) against Geoff Nicholson, won the next three ends to give themselves a cushion of six shots to ride out the game 13-11.

 

A40 lost their unbeaten record, going down to Invaders who came through with flying colours. Invaders’ Sandra Tebbs, Paul Gurton and Ian Tebbs completely out-bowled Gill Grant, Sarah McKay and Maggie Kisby, with a scoreline of 18-8. Invaders’ other set of Sally Gurton, Andrew Wooding and James Gurton did their bit by holding their scoreline to a deficit of two. A setback for A40, but four goods points for the Invaders and a push up the table.

 

Carlton Road were unfortunate in only having three players available in their game against IBC. Chris Gill, John Benton and Alan Coupland secured two points with a convincing win against IBC’s top rink but had to concede the rest of the points to IBC.

 

Playing a double week, A40 were then next up for the Road and in a very tight game A40 just had the advantage and claimed the aggregate points. Gill Grant, Di Wilson and Jean Cammack won 19-12. Bex Field, Sarah McKay and Mick Asplen went down to the Road’s John Benton, Geoff Parker and Alan Coupland 17-12.

 

Rink six was not a happy hunting ground for Holland Fen’s Bazza Wilson, Andy Dawson and Martin Tomlin when matched against Kirton Town. For the Town, Jill Smith, Sheila Tracey and skip Tony Kemp won 17-11 (four wins out of five for Tony!). Replying for the Fenmen Mick Tomlin had no problems picking up four points with a win of 26-4.

 

Eastenders maintained their unbeaten record when playing Swineshead who were also unbeaten. Eastenders took the aggregate points when Andrew Limb, Ian Clark and Simon Reeson won 15-6. Replying for Swineshead Jean Thompson, Joan Mews and Bob Thompson won 17-9, which was two short of turning the game in their favour. Which team will stop the Enders winning run?

 

Stickney are doing extremely well on their return to the top division. Matched against Crusaders the aggregate points were in doubt until the last few ends played. But they then went in Stickney's favour. Angela Saxton, Pete Sharman and Ron Flowers won 23-7. Replying for the Crusaders Gordon Harris, Margaret Chester and Chris Clark won 16-10.

 

Rustics must have been hoping for the bell to ring at end 12 when they had their first win in the bag. But four ends later, time was up and the Jolly Farmers had picked up nine shots without reply to snatch a win. For Rustics Ray Reeson, John Sivill and Keith Stones (14-7 up) dropped counts of three and two to hang on to win 14-12. Don Ebbage, Ron Reed and Jim Gott were level 9-9 and dropped counts of two and two to lose 13-9 to the Farmers’ Shirley Moore, Ken Rawlings and Joe Moore.

 

Boston Electrical Services Division Two

 

In Boston Electrical Service Division Two, the top-of-the-table clash between unbeaten Butchers against unbeaten Gang saw the former winning by five points to the Gang’s one. Geoff Dawson, George Eastgate and John Sellars won with a bit in hand 17-8. Tina Reeson, Ron Bagshaw and Keith Woods were held 14-14 by the Gang’s David Tebbs, Yvonne Busby and Denis Tebbs. And Butchers remain with a zero still in the lost column.

 

The Gang, having lost their first game, were closely followed by Strollers with one point dropped so far. They found life pretty tough on the bowls green this week. Playing the late session on Monday evening and back for the early session on Tuesday evening, they finished pointless. First up were Parthians and the scorecards read 13-10 and 15-9 to Parthians Derek Henderson and Mick Atkin. Royal Mail then claimed the points on Tuesday evening with Keith Thorlby winning 17-9 and Keith Sharp earning success with a close 11-9.

 

Parthians, having claimed six points from Strollers were not so fortunate when matched against Breakaways. Eileen Brown, Ivor Brown and Ted Benton had a comprehensive 22-10 success and Alan Saxton, John Marshall and Mark Brown won 14-8.

 

Amateurs and Shunters shared the rink points with Amateurs picking up the aggregate with a fine win from Jonathan West, Albert Bachelor and Phil Sharp of 18-12. Shunters replied with a 13-11 from Bob Walters, Rod West and Norman Wright.

 

Woodhall’s top skip looks like he may have found his touch. Eric Ulyatt, along with Doreen Sharp and Alan Eastgate had a comfortable evening, winning 22-7. But it was not all gloom for the Feathers as Beryl Brewster, Tony Dawson and Sheila Dawson picked up two points for their team with a 16-13 success.

 

Stumpers claimed five of the six points at stake playing against Norprint. Elliott Dews, Margaret Bycroft and Ken Bycroft won 17-12 and Pete Myers, Norman Bush and Bernard Skelton tied 11-11.

 

Patriarchs and BBC shared the rink points. For BBC, Mike Campion, Mu Watson and Ted Vere (trailing 9-8 at 12 ends) found a little extra and went away to win 18-9. It proved enough for a share of the aggregate points also as Patriarchs’ Lesley Woods, Carol Dawson and Shamus Rooney replied 17-8.

 

Golfers’ set of Rod Bursnell, Ron Hulley and Graham Scarboro (10-8 up at 11 ends) ran away at the finish to win 18-8 against Vikings. But they were unable to win maximum points. In a low scoring game, Jerry Gill, David Smith and Norman Ablard lost out 9-8 to Vikings’ captain Geoff Barnes with newcomer Ray Loughran (who looks like he’s enjoying playing in the night league) and Ray Moore.

 

Benton’s Glazing Division Three

 

Here Wrangle, playing a double fixture week, were pleased with their points haul. Matched against Shipmates, Brian Simpson, Fleur Simpson and Harry Dodd won with plenty in hand for a 27-3 scoreline. Two points went to Shipmates as John Burton, Brian Hunn and Tony Tomblin (leading 14-7) hung on to win 14-12.

 

The second game against Fairways was a friendly affair with the game being tied overall. For Wrangle, Margaret Purkiss, Phil Purkiss and Tony Wilson-Carter won 20-8. Replying for the Fairways, Mavis Ablard, Hazel Smith and Barbara Slade put in a winning scorecard of 19-7.

 

Shipmates — who had earlier gone down to Wrangle — made amends and overcame Traders. Stan Smalley, Tony Tomblin and Brian Hunn playing against a Traders’ set who were under strength in numbers won 21-10. Gordon Wells, Gordon Neal and Sid Coultan replied 13-8 for Traders.

 

Fenhouses, playing a double week, had mixed fortunes. They overcame Highflyers but fell to the Punchbowlers. Skips Alan Butler and Vic Chester won 13-10 and 19-12. The Bowlers’ skips of Stuart Van-Beirendonck and Barry Julian won 19-14 and 22-10.

 

In second spot the Burtons would be disappointed to lose to second-from-bottom Abrasives. Richard Jutsam, Ivan Stimpson and Charles Russell (8-1 up) were closed down and only had a one shot advantage on the penultimate end but counted again on the last end to win 12-9. Philip Stubley, Maureen Brammer and Ray Wagstaff (11-8 up going through end 13), promptly dropped a count of five to trail 13-11 but picked up a last end count of two to tie 13-13 against the Burton’s Olive Fenner, Jo Cowans and Mick Greet.

 

Central and the Crowns shared the rink points. The Crowns relied on the success of Margaret Dixon, Sandra and Pete Copeland who won 17-7. Don Chapman replied for Central 13-9.

 

With the Burtons losing, the Robins now remain the only team in the division undefeated. Matched against the Terriers they were able to win four of the six points at stake. Arnold Pape, Terry Hall and John Riches with a success of 20-6 maintaining the record. Replying for Terriers Eric Periera, Fran King and Bill Earth (leading 15-9) hung on to two points with a close 15-14 at the finish.

 

Week ending September 23:

 

Miko Coffee (East Midlands) Division One

 

In the Miko Coffee (East Midlands) Division One, the results this week threw up just one surprise.

 

Cosmos, heading the table and playing a double week, saw off the challenge of Crusaders in their first game with wins of 15-10 and 22-10 for Les Feary and Keith French. Up against Jolly Farmers for their second match they only managed to win two points. Shirley Moore, Ken Rawlings and Joe Moore were 15-2 up against Colin Palmer, Sue Simpson-Shaw and Les Feary which also won the aggregate points as Royce Reynolds, Keith French and Abb French for Cossies. They weren’t faring too well at nine ends when they trailed 7-5 but  finished with a flourish of winning ends to ease them away for a success of 15-8 for two points for the leaders.

 

Eastenders, at moment, are struggling for consistency. Up against Foresters two points drifted away as Matt Whyers, David Allen and Paul Flatters went down 15-8 to Janet Whyers, Gordon Ship and Mary Hewinson. Eastenders’ other rink of Andrew Limb, Ian Clark and Tony Powell stormed away in the early stages to win 28-8.

 

Invaders put up a good fight against Holland Fen with 12 ends played they tailed by four shots on both rinks. Sally Gurton, Andrew Wooding and James Gurton did get a little closer by end 14 when the scoreline read 14-12, dropping a last end count of three to lose the points 17-12 to Martin Tomlin. Mick Tomlin at 14-10 for the Fenmen going away to win 25-10, a little disappointing for the Invaders’ captain having been so close.

 

Freelanders have resumed normal service with a comfortable win against the Rustics. Skips Geoff Nicholson and Derek Whelbourn won 18-9 and 19-10.

 

Sheila King and Arnold Bennett won the points for A40 against Kirton Town with rink wins of 19-4 and 14-13.

 

Crusaders, having lost all the points to Cosmos, managed to snatch two points against Carlton Road. Winning the points were Michael Emery, Margaret Chester and Chris Clark with a close 13-12. Road skip Alan Coupland replied with a 15-12 score for the extra points.

 

IBC versus Stickney went in favour of IBC. Rink points were shared but June Burman, Ruth Wright and Reg Doughty had a comfortable win for the aggregate points for IBC. Replying for Stickney, Steve Todd, Ray Waite and Brian Hooker. They were 16-6 up at 11 ends and finished with a final scoreline of 17-12 for two points against Tony Burman, Ted Bourne and Alan Bates.

 

Boston Electrical Services Division Two

 

In Boston Electrical Services Division Two, setting the section alight at the moment are the Butchers with maximum points from four games. Against Parthians, Eileen May, George Eastgate and John Sellars won 17-9 and Tina Reeson, Roy Bennett and Keith Woods succeeded 13-9. They then followed t his success with another when matched against Amateurs. Kirsty Dryden, Geoff Dawson and Keith Woods winning 19-10 and Sylvia Bagshaw, John Bannister and Ron Bagshaw — who were 6-4 down at six ends — went on to win 16-8.

 

Chasing the Butchers are the Gang having dropped just one point with three games played. Matched against Breakaways’ Ivan Dilley and John Allen won 15-12 and 22-9.

 

Another team also pressing hard are the Strollers with also just one point dropped with three games played. Matched against the Feathers, Dave France, Bob Pearce and Berwyn Thomas won 19-13 and Ray Hobart, Ken Haigh and Keith Swain succeeded 18-8.

 

Stumpers matched against Amateurs saw the rink points shared with the extra points going to Stumpers as Gerry Myers, Denis Robins and Ken Bycroft won 18-5. Replying for Amateurs, Anthony Tabor, Alex Tomlin and Eric Taylor did well to recover from 9-3 down at six ends to win 19-13.

 

Woodhall are treading water at the moment with only two points won from three outings. Matched against Royal Mail, the Mailmen delivered with wins of 14-12 and 13-10 for skips Barry Barton and Keith Thorlby.

 

The Golfers just had the edge over BBC winning the aggregate points by three shots. Graham Scarboro winning 21-12 for the golfers reply for BBC Ted Vere with Mike Campion and Sue Upsall winning 21-14.

Vikings and Patriarchs also shared the rink points; the extra points going to the Patriarchs with skip Colin Baxter winning 21-12. Bottom team Shunters picked up their first points of the season with a good result against Norprint. Jack Taylor, Chris Medcalf and Rodney West winning 17-10 and Nancy Mason, Abb Houlden and Alan Mason with a success of 16-8 and a move off the bottom spot.

 

Benton’s Glazing Division Three

 

In Benton’s Glazing Division Three, top-of-the-league Burtons were matched against second in the league Fenhouses and things went with the formbook. The Burtons won the lion’s share of the points. For the Houses, Norma and Ben Davis with skip Malc Nichols snatched two points with a last end count of two to win 9-7. The Burtons relied on Olive and Jim Fenner with Mick Greet for a comfortable 22-6 scorecard.

 

The Robins, in third spot, lifted themselves to top spot with a double fixture and maximum points. Against Shipmates, skips Arnold Pape and John Riches won 12-11 and 21-6. Against Wrangle the same two skips won 14-13 and 14-6 (did Wrangle let Arnold off the hook?).

 

Traders, playing against the Crowns and then the Terriers, could only manage to win four points. Maurice Harding, Cyn Baker and Sid Coultan won 15-11 and Maurice Harding, Pete Coulson and Norman Stanley won 17-15 thanks to a last end count of two. The Terriers nicked the aggregate with a last end count for skip Chas Newham.

 

The Crowns, after their success against Traders, finished second best against the Fairways. Margaret Dixon, Sandra Copeland and Pete Copeland for the Crowns winning 13-9, replying for the Fairways, Jean Spratt, Anetha Hall and Barbara Slade took the extra points with a 14-5 and the Fairways gained their first win of the season.

 

Highflyers, having opened their account with a win in the first game, are now not soaring. Matched against Central they finished with zero points. In an evenly matched game overall, the spoils went Central’s way playing the last two ends on both rinks. Frank Bembridge, Marion Epton and Fred Epton (trailing 11-14) picked up counts of three and one to win 15-14. Iris Facey, Tracey Bembridge and Dean Chapman (trailing 8-9) picked up counts of one and two to win 11-9.

 

Punchbowlers played to form and picked up all the points from Abrasives with a win of 17-9 for Bill Young, Terry Dawson and Stuart Van-Beirendonck and 20-11 for Becci Reeson, Roy Woodthorpe and Jeff Skelton.

 

 

Week ending September 16:

 

Miko Coffee (East Midlands) Division One

 

Kirton Town are setting the pace in the Miko Coffee (East Midlands) Division One. They have played a game more than the rest, but still have a slender points advantage. Up against Freelanders it was win number three for skip Tony Kemp assisted by team members Ann Thomas and Ann Kemp. They won 31-8. Replying for the Landers, Ron Thacker, Brian Sharp and Vic Murtough overcame the Town’s top rink succeeding 15-5 for a share of the points.

 

Newcomers’ Stickney surprised Foresters when winning five of the six points at stake. Steve Todd, Graham Tooley and Ron Flower won 14-9 and Steve Shaw, Ray Bavin and Pete Sharman tied 12-12.

 

Swineshead were pleased with their result against Carlton Road who were playing their first match of the season and were slightly “green” rusty.

 

Jean Thompson, Jo Grant and Fred Scrupps dropped a “hot shot” on their way to a 15-13 success and Janet Vinter, Pam Dawson and Bob Thompson (8-8 at 10 ends) played and went on to win 13-9. Swineshead have started their season with a maximum points haul.

 

Crusaders and Invaders, who picked up no points in their opening games, came head to head and it was the latter that came out on top. Sandra Tebbs, James Gurton and Ian Tebbs built themselves a comfortable lead, which they maintained to win 15-10. This proved good enough for the aggregate points. Replying for Crusaders Jenny Hill, Alan Hill and Dorothy Quincey hung on to win by one shot 13-12.

 

Cosmos, always hard to beat, played Holland Fen and the latter were always second best. Bazza Wilson, Adrian Field and Peter Gorbutt went down 17-10 to George Philips, Colin Palmer and Keith French. Andy Dawson, Keith Tointon and Martin Tomlin had no answer to the bowls of Sue Simpson-Shaw, Abb French and Les Feary who won 17-12.

 

Favourites for the league, Eastenders struggled against IBC winning by the tightest of margins on both rinks. Matt Whyers, Andrew Limb and Paul Flatters won 12-11 and Iris Reeson, Ian Clark and Simon Reeson had a 14-13 success.

 

A40 let points slip to newly promoted Rustics. Gill Grant, Maggie Kisby and Sheila King won 17-6 but Bex Field, Sarah McKay and Mick Asplen (leading 10-7 at 12 ends) went down 12-10 to the Rustics’ Don Ebbage, John Craft and Jim Gott.They were good points for the Rustics. 

 

Boston Electrical Services Division Two

 

In Boston Electrical Services Division Two, the Strollers’ captain will be excited with his teams’ start to the season with 11 points from 12 after two games.

 

They negotiated what looked like a tough game against Norprint by the skin of their teeth. Alex Seaton, Bob Pearce and Berwyn Thomas (leading 13-9) fell behind on the penultimate end but finished with a count of two to tie against Ralph Pick’s set. Dave France, Mick Hippisley and Keith Swain (leading 11-7) hung on to win 11-10 against Tony Hall.

 

The Butchers versus Golfers went in favour of the Butchers on both rinks. Skips Ron Bagshaw and Dave Gill won 11-8 and 13-10 on a disappointing night for the Golfers.

 

The Gang comfortably saw off the challenge of the Vikings with rink wins of 29-5 and 22-11 for John Allen and Denis Tebbs.

 

Parthians and BBC shared the rink points with the extra points going to Parthians. For BBC, Margaret Kirk, Rene Howes and Ted Vere won 16-8, but for Parthians, skip Keith Nix replied with 22-7  — more than enough for the extra points.

 

Amateurs pulled out all the stops against Woodhall and with it they gained a surprise result. Jonathan West, Albert Batchelor and Phil Sharp won 14-11 and Brenda Wheway, Tony Nixon and Eric Taylor won 13-12 against Woodhall’s top man.

 

Breakaways and Patriarchs shared the rink points with aggregate points going to Breakaways by just one shot. Jo Dowse, John Marshall and Gloria French snatched the points with a strong finish. It was much better for Patriarchs playing earlier in the week against Stumpers when they won four of the six points. Picking up the points were Chris Bristow, Alan Woods and Alan Bristow winning 14-6 in answer Bernard Skelton replied 19-15 for Stumpers.

 

Stumpers followed this loss with a good result against Royal Mail. Gerry Myers, Denis Robins and Tommy Horn winning 14-9 and Norma Barnes, Norman Bush and Ken Bycroft succeeding 19-6. The Feathers, at seven ends looked like they were not going to win any points. Beryl Brewster, Tony Dawson and Sheila Dawson trailed 11-2 but got their game together and won 16-12. Maureen Hunn, Richard Sharp and Derek Hunn were 7-3 down but then led 9-7 and went into the last end level 9-9 before claiming a 10-9 success against Shunters.

 

Benton’s Glazing Division Three

 

In Benton’s Glazing Division Three, the Burtons have started unbelievably well, winning 17 out of 18 points. Playing against Traders, both rinks established a healthy lead in the early stages. Mary Middlebrook, Marge Sleath and Pete Dodes won 15-6 and Jean Young, Jim Fenner and Mick Greet got home 14-8.

 

The Robins picked up six points from their first game but did not carry out the good and dropped two to the Punchbowlers. Neil Lockwood, Terry Hall and Arnold Pape won their points with a 17-5 result. Replying for the Bowlers, Richard Bell, Terry Dawson and new boy Jeff Skelton (6-6 at six ends) claimed two points with a 16-11 win.

 

Fenhouses, also with maximum points haul in their opening game, failed to repeat it in their match against Terriers. Norma Davis, Ben Davis and Malc Nichols won fairly comfortably 21-7. The Terriers’ set of Phyl Rickett, Peter King and Chas Newham won two points for their side with a 16-8 result.

 

Central went two better than last week picking up four of the six points at stake playing against Fairways. Doing well for Central were Iris Facey, Tania Bembridge and Don Chapman who won with plenty to spare 23-4. Then, matched against Terriers, Central failed to impress and finished pointless with Terriers’ skips Bill Earth and Ken Thompson claiming the points 13-10 and 18-11. Mavis Ablard, Hazel Smith and Carol  Nundy for Fairways picked up in the later stages two counts of four to win 15-9 against Eunice Belford, Don Belford and new signing for Central and playing his first competitive game on the outdoor carpet Peter Boxall.

 

Abrasives, matched against Shipmates, pulled off a good win. The rink points were shared but Derek Cooper, Maureen Brammer and Charles Russell finished strongly to claim the aggregate points with a 21-6 success. Shipmates followed up this loss with another against Wrangle. John Burton, Brian Lunn and Brian Hunn won 17-13 but the Wrangle set of Brian Simpson and Fleur Simpson with Harry Dodd were never going to be caught as they established a 12-0 lead in the early stages and went on to win 24-12.

 

Did I overhear Highflyers are going for a promotion spot this season? Things will have to improve as they lost the aggregate points by just two shots matched against the Crowns. Eric Lewis, Dot Cox and Ivan Roberts fell by a wide margin to the Crown’s Margaret Dixon, Sandra Copeland and Peter Copeland. The Flyers set of Joy Troy, Robert Goodale and Alan Watson won 22-5 should have been at least good enough for the aggregate but only won two points.

 

 

Week ending September 9:

 

Miko Coffee (East Midlands) Division One

 

In the Miko Coffee (East Midlands) Division One, the three promoted teams did not have much joy as they kicked off in the top division. Rustics were up against Kirton Town and the Town lifted all six points with wins of 24-7 and 18-10 for skips Tony Kemp and Dorothy Hawkesworth.

 

Playing a double week Kirton did not fare so well and lost the aggregate points to the Jolly Farmers. Doing well for the Farmers were John Houghton, Dick Allen and Barbara Houghton as they won 14-6. New signing for Kirton Town, Tony Kemp produced another winning scorecard with a 17-13 success.

 

The overwhelming champions of Division Two Invaders were up against Cosmos. Most teams in the division will struggle against the Cossies so the result was pretty predictable with rink wins of 18-12 and 19-10 for Les Feary and Abb French.

 

Stickney who have experience in the top division were up against Eastenders who are highly fancied to life the Division One title this season and the Stickney team did well to win on one rink when Len Fox, Steve Todd and Brian Hooker overcame Iris Reeson, Ian Clark and Tony Powell 17-15. Stickneys other rink on the night fell short of what was wanted and went down 18-8 to Matt Whyers, Bunny Reeson and Paul Flatters.

 

Holland Fen’s set of Andy Dawson, Keith Tointon and Martin Tomlin started a little shakily against Jolly Farmers, Darryl Gardner, John Houghton and Dick Allen trailing 6-0 after four ends, they then found a higher tempo and ran away winning 27-8.

 

Adrian Field, Andrew Grant and Hazel Marshall for the Fenmen saw a point evaporate as Shirley Moore, Ken Rawlings and Joe Moore picked up a one and two to level 10-10 over the last two ends.

 

Freelanders who were under strength in numbers came up against A40 and finished pointless, with wins of 17-6 and 39-7 for Sheila King and Arnold Bennett. IBC and Foresters shared the rink points with John Stevens aided by Janet Whyers and Lorraine Stevens winning 12-9 for Foresters against Richard Toy, Ted Bourne and Alan Bates.

 

IBC had to rely on Reg Doughty with new signing June Burman and Ruth Wright for the extra points with a 16-11 result. Crusaders had a disappointing result against Swineshead in their opening game. Swineshead won all the points with a close 12-11 for Brian Vinter and 17-10 for Bob Thompson.

 

Boston Electrical Services Division Two

 

In Boston Electrical Services Division Two, the two promoted team opened their account pretty successfully.

 

Feathers matched against Norprint claimed four of the six points at stake thanks to a good display from Beryl Brewster, Richard Sharp and Keith Posey who won 18-10. Ellen Hammond, Chris Avison and Vic Harrison picking up two points for the Printers with a 17-11 success.

 

The Golfers matched against Parthians game saw Jerry Gill, David Smith and Norman Ablard for the Golfers doing the damage with a good win 19-9, picking up two points for Parthians were Diane Bedford, Pete Bedford and Mick Atkin with a close 13-12 result.

 

Woodhall and Stumpers shared the rink points with the extra points going to Stumpers by just one shot thanks to Tommy Horn with a 15-8. The two points for Woodhall came from Doreen Sharp, Alan Eastgate and Eric Ulyatt.Strollers made a good start as they won all the points against Shunters with successes of 18-11 and 23-4 for Alan Everitt and Keith Swain.

 

The Gang also started well with David Tebbs, Yvonne Busby and Denis Tebbs winning 21-9 and Alan Townsend, Ken Rochford and Ivan Dilley tying their game 12-12 against the Patriarchs.

 

Breakaways shared the rink points with Vikings and managed to pick up the aggregate points with Jo Dowse, Keith Bailey and Alan Saxton winning 17-8.

Amateurs held up Royal Mail. For the Amateurs Tony Nixon, Albert Batchelor and Martin Middlebrook finishing strongly pulled off a good if somewhat close success of 14-13 against Margaret Gardner, Dave Gardner and Bill Barton.

 

Joan Sharp, Barry Harrington and Keith sharp won more convincingly for the Mail 21-6 for four points. BBC fell to the Butchers on both rinks. Geoff Dawson, George Eastgate and Keith Woods winning 18-8 and Tina Reeson, Roy Bennett and Dave Gill thankful for a good lead as they hung on to win 19-16.

 

Benton’s Glazing Division Three

 

In Benton’s Glazing Division Three, the Burtons were the pick of the teams as they opened their season with a double week and picking up 11 points from 12.

 

First up were the Crowns and skips Mick Greet and Pete Dodes produced scorecards of 13-9 and 12-12. Next up were the Terriers and the same two skips produced another fine result with wins of 12-10 and 16-9.

 

The Terriers had earlier played Wrangle and the result was much the same zero points and the Wrangle team with their best ever start to the season won 22-10 and 23-9.

The Crowns fared a lot better in their second game winning four of the six points at stake. Margaret Dixon with Lee and Graham Mulholland winning 16-7.

 

Fenhouses were in scintillating form against Traders Linda Garner, Alan Butler and Malc Nichols winning 23-10 and Vera Monger, Rosemary Hoskins and Vic Chester doing even better with a 26-5 success.

 

Barry Julian for Punchbowlers found the skips job to his liking against Shipmates with a comfortable win. But the ’Bowlers’ captain Richard Bell could not replicate, he made the score a little closer on the penultimate end in his game but still went down to Shipmates trio of Balderson, Dyble and Taylor the scoreline being 15-10.

 

The Robins are always a tough prospect and can on their night be unbeatable. Abrasives found them far too strong in the first match of the season, as the Robins skips Brian Stanhope and Arnold Pape produced winning scorecards of 17-6 and 21-2.

 

Highflyers and Fairways shared the rink points with Fairways Chris Gill, Lorna Locking and Heather Scarboro lifting their points 15-8 but the aggregate was swung in favour of the Flyers whose set of Joy Tory, Robert Goodale and Alan Watson won 19-9.

 

Dickinson Pairs

 

The final rounds of the Dickinson Pairs saw Malc Hilton and Alan Eastgate beating last year’s winners. And then they came through against the highly fancied Tomlin duo to book a place in the semi-final.

 

Their opponents in the semi were Richard Toy and Richard White who had knocked out Michael Emery and Jill Smith and Scott Whyers and Andrew Grant. Matt Whyers and James Gurton were a touch unfortunate to lose their game against Alan Coupland and Keith Stones who carried out with another tight finish against Mavis Norman Ablard to book a place in the semis.

 

Adrian Field and Paul Flatters would be their opposition as they comfortably won through against Brian Simpson and Bunny Reeson and Fleur Simpson and Maggie Kisby.

 

The Toy-White combination went through against Alan Eastgate and Malc Hilton and Adrian Field and Paul Flatters edged home in their semi-final. The final went to the Field-Flatters combination, which from the start of the competition looked likely winners, were never behind winning seven of the 12 ends played.