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Pendle Win Secretary’s Shield

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Pendle Win the Secretary’s Shield (18 Oct 09) by David Pollitt

Pendle beat Ealing 5-2 in the Secretary’s Shield Final at Northampton on 18 October.

Teams:
Pendle: Roger Schofield (3), Andrew Webb (4.5), David Pollitt(Capt) (7) and Robin Delves (11)
Ealing: Nigel Polhill (0), Colin McKenzie (6) Suzanne Clarke (8) and Roger Mayhew (12)

Could Pendle win this competition for the first time? It needed the players to rise at 5.30 am and to leave Robin’s at 7 am to arrive at Northampton before 10 o’clockstart. We made it with 15 minutes to spare. It was good to find we had support from Pendle’s founder and present country member, Norman Hicks, who now lives in the Northampton area.

All the games were double banked with the lawns playing fairly fast but they were undulating. In the morning Andrew built up a good lead but his opponent decided it was time to start using her bisques, so with 1.5 bisques she took her first ball round and then eventually finished the game with 2 bisques still in the ground, without Andrew adding to his score. A player to watch!

In the doubles Ealing won, so it left David to win to keep Pendle in with a chance. We ate our lunch in the open with it being such a good day. After lunch Roger set the tone with a comprehensive win using his bisques to maximum effect to win +26. David looked to be heading for 2nd win, but was finally beaten by Ealings most impressive player. So it needed Robin and Andrew to win for Pendle, to lift the shield. This they both did without much nail biting by Roger and David.

Well done Pendle and a big thank you to all the drivers especially Robin and everyone who played.

Dave Nick Wins Southport Sandiford Salver

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Dave Nick won the Southport September Advanced Weekend (6 Oct 09) by Ian Lines

Dave Nick beat Gail Curry +17, +4 to win the Southport September Advanced Weekend and get his name on the Sandiford Salver for the first time, bringing to an end the run of 5 consecutive years that Ian Lines has won the event. Ian won the consolation Swiss with 5/6 wins.

The lawns at Southport are in good condition, thanks largely to the work that has been done on them this year, and in the sunshine today they were just fast enough (around 10 seconds) to make picking up breaks and tps a little tricky, particularly due to the slight slopes on some lawns and around some hoops, which could catch out the unwary.

In addition to the glorious sunny weather, Southport provided excellent lunches and teas which all helped make for a very enjoyable weekend.

Bury Win the Longman Cup

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Bury Win the Longman Cup (4 Oct 09) by Paul Rigge

Bury's winning Longman Cup team:
Bury’s winning Longman Cup team:
From left – Paul Kenworthy, Graham Saunders, Mac Hardman, Matt Holmes

Bury, having made the final for the first time in our 21 year history, weren’t overcome by the occasion and lifted the trophy beating Reigate Priory 5 – 2. What a birthday present to end the season with at the third time of trying!! Bury won a single and double in the morning session for a 2 – 1 lead at lunch. In bright clear sunshine, nearly all four afternoon singles went our way but a sterling fight back by Geoff returned the closest result on the day.

Bury Captain, Mac Hardman, receiving the Longman Cup from Stephen Mulliner.
Bury Captain, Mac Hardman, receiving the Longman Cup from Stephen Mulliner.

Bury names first:
Mac Hardman(14) and Paul Kenworthy(4.5) beat Mike Bottomley(5) and John Bristoe(16) +8
Graham Saunders(11) lost to Neil Coote(5) -10
Matt Holmes(16) beat Geoff Gunton(6) +26
Paul Kenworthy beat Neil Coote +9
Mac Hardman lost to Geoff Gunton -3
Graham Saunders beat Mike Bottomley +12
Matt Holmes(16) beat John Bristoe +15

 

 

 

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