BOWLS: Oak Brewery League cup finals
OAK BREWERY LEAGUE CUP FINALS
The arguably apocryphal tale of Drake finishing his game of bowls whilst The Spanish Armada hove into view is cited as an example of British phlegm, although his knowledge of local tides was probably the real reason for his calmness.
Whilst, I imagine, no players in the two finals of the Brewery League would expect any armada save that of flying insects, they too showed resilience and tenacity of the knight.
In the KO Cup, played at Sandringham, The Globe met Wolferton on yet another glorious afternoon, and both sides settled quickly into their bowling.
In these early exchanges, Wolferton quickly amassed a lead, being 24–9 shots ahead after five ends.
Lesser teams would have crumbled, but the Globe dug-in, reducing the deficit to 40-30 by mid-way.
Games are often determined by the third quarter results, and The Globe made a move to close the gap to 50-45 shots after 15 ends.
The metaphorical tide seemed to have turned, and even Drake would have been getting twitchy!
Five ends more were played: 61-58 was the score.
Close bowl followed close bowl on the final end – captain John Hailstone, facing two down, drew shot to win, but despite his team’s best efforts the remaining three rinks gained four shots for Wolferton, meaning the surge was resisted, and Wolferton had won.
The league secretary presented the trophies and monies, thanking Sandringham for providing an excellent green for the match.
Division One presentations were made to Massingham as winners, and Wolferton (runners-up), highlighting that the title was literally decided by the final bowl of the season between the two.
On the other side of Lynn on the Terrington Memorial green, Gaywood Park met Sandringham B in an inter-division match. Early exchanges saw Park take the lead, 15-20, which they extended by the 10th end to 32-38.
Sandringham realised that they needed to find an answer and over the next five ends they fought back to level the scores at 50 each. The match had undergone a sea-change, with Sandringham powering their way to victory by 78 shots to 60.
Here the league chair, Mr Brian Denham made the presentations to each side and to the Division Two victors Gaywood Park and runners-up, King’s Lynn Blues.
He also thanked Terrington Memorial for allowing their splendid green to be used.
The afternoon was concluded by the presentation of gifts of a clock and vouchers to Mr Terry Lake, the league treasurer for many years, purchased by donations by league clubs.
Scores (Wolferton first): T Howell 12 G Thorn 18; N Smith 12 R Bly 13; M Hornigold 14 J Hailstone 16; P Allum 27 B Pegg 12; total 65–59.
Scores (Sandringham B first): B Stone 16 J Fysh 13; J East 7 P Leak 22; D Lang 28 K Colby 15; L Allan 27 T Barnes 10; total 78-60.
KING’S LYNN BOWLS CLUB
One of the ladies’ teams, captained by Christine Abbot, won the Denton League.
Geoff Upton, John Francis and Simon Fenner were runners-up in a triples tournament at Dereham.
A fundraising bingo organised by Rick and Di Bentley, together with Ron Graham, raised £180 for club funds. Helpers were Trevor Oakey, Terry Fordham, Lesley Stringer, Marilyn South and Pat Sayer.
The roll-ups on a Tuesday and Thursday prove popular.
