BARBER'S QUARTET GIVE KENT THE CHOP

Ashley Tanner (Ashford), Paul Wiltshire (West Ealing) Andrew Pearce (City of London) and Lee Barber (Broomfield), all members of Middlesex's Worthing bound and highly successful Under 25 squad, repeated their form on a higher stage yesterday as Middlesex CBA returned from the long trip into Kent with a 109 shot to 106 win (16 points to 6), a result that was in doubt right up to the last wood.

The youngsters crushing 26 shot to 9 win over far more experienced opposition led the way for Middlesex CBA to gain 16 points to Kent's 6 and with one game to go, at home to Oxfordshire CBA at Bush Hill Park BC on August 2nd, Middlesex are now in a strong position to regain the league title they last won in 2004.

The match itself, at the Aylesham and Snowdown Welfare BC, was played under a gloriously hot sun and on a lightning quick green, something most of the Middlesex CBA squad would not be used to playing on, on a regular basis. This showed on the first few ends as Kent CBA stormed to a 20 shot (37-17) lead at 5 ends. Middlesex, however, adjusted and at 10 ends they had fought back to be only 2 shots behind (53-51). At 15 ends Middlesex had poked their noses in front (82-77) but then Kent came back and at 18 ends there was one shot in it (95-94). The final 3 ends across the green produced some thrilling bowls with the lead swapping hands almost every completed end but with one rink to finish Middlesex CBA led by 4. With Middlesex CBA holding 2 shots on the 20th end of the final rink to finish Kent CBA “killed” the end and then picked up two on the replayed end. At the start of the 21st end Middlesex drew shot and with both skips to play everything was in the balance. Two poor drawing attempts by the Middlesex skip meant that with 3 “second” woods the Kent skip had to take out the Middlesex shot to win the match. Both sides held their breath as the last bowl came down the green but to Middlesex's joy the bowl was an inch tight and missed leaving the Middlesex shot in place. Therefore after just short of 4 hours of excellent high quality tense bowling Middlesex had secured a priceless three shot win.  

The other winning rinks for Middlesex were David Barnicoat (Bush Hill Park), Ian Ellis (Finchley), David Crudington and Ernie Rudston (both Bush Hill Park) won 17 shots to 15. David Pitt (Masonian), Les Massey (Pymmes Park), Paul Fuller (Century) and Perry Cook (Poplar) won 23 shots to 12.

After the match a clearly delighted Middlesex CBA President Tony Paulley had the honour of presenting Chris Law (Pymmes Park) and Paul Wiltshire (West Ealing) their colts badges to mark their first, hopefully of many, games for Middlesex.

Finally perhaps it’s no coincident that Middlesex County Cricket won the 20/20 final against Kent County Cricket by just 3 runs.

And so it's on to Bush Hill Park BC next week, victory over Oxfordshire CBA will surely hand Middlesex the title on what should be a glorious weekend for bowls with the County Finals at Harrow BC on the Sunday. Please come along and support both events and cheer the players on to success.