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HOME COUNTIES RESULT
With the encouraging words of Team Manager Lindsay Warner and President Tony Paulley ringing in their ears Middlesex CBA started their 2008 Home Counties Campaign with a very encouraging victory over Surrey CBA.
Sporting their new County Baseball Caps to keep the cold and damp conditions at bay Middlesex were on the front foot from the off in the match played at Finchley BC.
At 5 ends Middlesex led by 10 shots (33-23), at 10 ends the advantage was 9 shots (57-48). Surrey then started to reign their hosts in and at 15 ends they led by 6 shots (75-81) and the match was on a knife edge. In previous campaigns Middlesex may have folded at this stage but perhaps the first signs of the fruits of the current selection policy and the early season team bonding victory over Hertfordshire were witnessed as the team rallied to tie the match at 95 all at 18 ends.
With everything to play for Middlesex kicked for the finishing line and powered home, eventually winning by a margin of 120 shots to 107. Victory on 4 rinks gave Middlesex an opening day 18 points against Surreys 4.
Top rink for Middlesex were Kevin Ward (Broomfield), Les Massey (Pymmes Park), Thomas Brooks and Perry Cook (both Poplar) who returned a winning margin of 27-13. There were also wins for the rinks of Ernie Rudston (25-15), Ken Allen (22-16) and Tony Waller (21-18).
After the match both sides enjoyed an excellent meal at which Mark Mansell and Andy Leeks (both from City of London BC) received their Colts badges and Andy Dempster (Ladygate) received his full County Badge and Home Counties flash from President Tony.
Next Saturday
Middlesex will look to build on their good start when they travel South to
the Preston Club and a fixture against Sussex CBA, all involved will be
hoping for better weather than on their last visit 2 years ago! |