BUCKINGHAMSHIRE CBA BUCKLE TO LATE MIDDLESEX CBA ONSLAUGHT

Middlesex CBA bounced back in impressive style after their opening defeat against Kent CBA when they beat Buckinghamshire CBA 125 shots to 100, in their second group game played at Ladygate BC.

The 17 points gained, coupled with Surrey CBA big win over Sussex CBA means that the group is now wide open with all 5 counties having a chance to progress.

Middlesex CBA made a number of changes to last weeks side, both in terms of personnel, due to player unavailability, and to position, to address some of the issues raised by the opening day's heavy defeat. Partly as a result of this Middlesex CBA made a slow start allowing Buckinghamshire CBA, on the back of their convincing opening victory, to start the game the stronger and they led 28-21 at 5 ends, they maintained the lead to 10 ends but the margin was only 4 (53-49). Middlesex then racked up an impressive 37 shots over the next 5 ends to take an 86-77 lead at 15 ends and did not relinquish that control as they extended their lead to 104-93 at 18 ends and ultimately 125-100 at the finish.

Top rink for Middx was Andy Dempster (Ladygate), Andy Knott (Masonian), Andy Law (Pymmes Park) and Tony Waller (Ladygate) whom won 32-12 against  an ex Middlesex player, Gerry Smyth's rink. This result was some what of revenge for Andy's K and L plus Tony, who had played the same rink at Olney BC in the reverse fixture last year and had been dispatched 34 shots to 16, it was also allegedly the first time Gerry had lost to Middlesex since he left the County a number of years ago.

Other successes for Middlesex CBA was Norman Worley (Paddington), promoted to skip, who guided his rink of Kevin Ward (Broomfield), Chris Harris (Uxbridge) and Jamie Gibbs (Paddington) to a 24 shots to 12 win and David Pitt (Masonians), Peter Huggett (BA Concorde), Andy Leekes (City of London) and Phil Sutcliffe (Brentham) who won

19 shots to 18.

There were also hard luck stories for two of Middlesex's CBA other rinks. Ray Fortune (Poplar), David Steele (Wealdstone), Lee Barber (Broomfield) and Perry Cook (Poplar) went into their last end needing 2 for victory and with the opposing skip John McGuiness only having one bowl to come they held those 2 shots. John however removed one with a running bowl and Middlesex had to settle for a good point in an 18 all draw.

Finally Roger Watkinson (Bush Hill Park), Willy Woods (Uxbridge), Andrew Pearce (Poplar) and Paul Cater (West Ealing) fought back from 10 shots behind to also go into the last end needing 2 shots for victory and indeed with the skips left to bowl they held 4 with a measure for 5. The Buckinghamshire skip, P Seymour drove and unbelievably finished with a side toucher  which it was almost impossible for Paul to remove and the rink narrowly went down 17 shots to 19.

After the match Andy Leekes received his full county badge, Nick Edwards (Pymmes Park) received his full Middleton Cup flash and Andy Dempster completed a memorable day by "getting" his orange flash for making his Middleton Cup debut.

Next week Middlesex CBA have their bye week, then in two weeks they will travel to Worthing Pavi1lion to take on Sussex CBA looking for more of the same from yesterday.

Latest Group Standings

Buckinghamshire     P 2    Pts 25

Surrey                          P 2    Pts 22

Kent                             P 1    Pts 20

Middlesex                   P 2    Pts 19

Sussex                         P 1    Pts 02

 Tony Waller