PRESIDENT EDDIE HALLING’S TOUR TO HAMPSHIRE 2007

The tour began on a warm balmy Sunday morning, the coach and everyone were on time and we got off to a flying start. That is until we arrived at the Amesbury BC to play the Wiltshire CBA, on our way to Hampshire.

At this stage the wheels fell off, although we won on 4 rinks, we lost rather heavily on 2 rinks and lost the match 113 to 132, (19 shots). 

The highest winning rink skipped by Alan Syrett, three David Southey, two President Eddie Halling, lead Len Head won 25 shots to 15.

Not a very good start to the tour. We then licked our wounds and went on to our Hotel in Bournemouth.

Day Two was very different. again in glorious sunshine our next match was against the Argyll BC. One rink got off to a flying start losing only four shots over the last 11 ends the others were cut and thrust with their opponents. Over the last four ends we picked up a total of 42 shots across the board, winning on 3 rinks and the match by 120 to 105 (15 shots).

Richard Clarke skipped the highest winning rink, three Don Dorling, two Alan Eames, lead Harry Skerratt, winning 32 shot to 8.

Day Three. Our match was at the Knyveton BC. Again our players showed their determination to win. With the fortitude and determination of our players we managed to win the match, by picking up 32 shot over the last 4 ends.  Winning 4 rinks to 2 and the match by 127 to 108  (19 Shots).

The highest winning rink was skipped yet again by Richard Clarke, three David Southey, two Phil Lloyd, lead S. D. P Tony Paully, winning 28 shots to 13.

Tomorrow could be a different story as we play our second County match against the County of Hampshire.

Day Four. The match against Hampshire CBA was played at the Richmond Park BC. At 10 ends we were 6 shots up but after tea it all changed as usual, we were unable to keep the pressure on and lost 30 shots over the last 4 ends winning on

2 rinks only. The final score was 101 to 123 (22 shots).

Roy Dodson skipped our highest winning rink, three Don Dorling, two Keith Davies, lead Tony Paully, (21 to 13 despite losing 4 shots on the last end).

Tomorrow we travel to Weymouth to play the Dorset CBA, lets hope we have a better result.

Day Five. Another day. Another dream. The match was against the Dorset CBA. With several ex Middlesex bowlers against us the match was played at the Greenhilll BC. The green overlooking the beach with all it’s distractions, topless bathers abound, taking our mind off the task in hand, we were 7 shots behind at 5 ends, 18 behind at 10 ends, then 27 at 15 ends, by this time the writing was on the wall, we finally lost on four rinks, won on one and drew on one. Losing 93 shots to 149 (56 shots).

However we did have a highest winning rink, skipped by Ken Wilson, Three Dave Southey, two Eddie Halling, lead Tony Paulley who won by 2 shots, 22 to 20.  

Day Six. The last match of the tour. With the result of losing 3 matches and winning 2 we had to win the last match against the Bournemouth & District B. A., played at Richmond Park BC, so that the President could go home with at least a drawn series. With yet more ex-Middlesex players against us we girded our loins and went to do battle. Winning on four rinks losing on 2. The final score was 118 shots to 103, (15 shots).

Our highest winning rink was skipped by Ron Petch, three Don Dorling, two Eddie Halling, lead Tony Paulley, who won 26 shots to 16.

The overall shots for Middlesex CBA were 672 to 720 a deficit of 48 shots.

At our last night Gala Dinner the tourists presented Eddie Halling with a Mobile Phone and a Paper Shredder as a token of their thanks for a most enjoyable tour.