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TWO TIGHT FRIENDLIES - BUT TWO WINS NONETHELESS
Middlesex's Friendly Squad returned to the comfort of home this week for two Friendlies against opposition from the East of the Country.
Firstly on
Tuesday 5th August the players gathered at a grey and overcast Cambridge
Park BC for the game against Kent CBA. The omnipresent threat of rain hung
in the air throughout the afternoon, with the only suggestion that the
weather might improve, being from south, the occasional fleeting glimpse
of a virgin in the skies above, a virgin plane of course. The recent poor weather certainly did not help the playing surface, that was very heavy but Middlesex CBA put in a good performance, winning on 4 rinks. Yours truly however decided the game should be tight and proceeded to lose by 24 shots meaning the final score was a single shot victory for Middlesex CBA by 123 shots to 122.
Top rink for Middlesex was Harry Dorsett (Rosedale Park), Peter Brockett (Ladygate), Maurice Zollo (Strawberry Hill, winning his 4th top rink in 2008) and late Substitute Andrew Taylor (Cambridge Park).
It was also a good day for Tom Gutwin (Bishopswood) who received his full County Badge.
Two days later and the players travelled North East to gather at the Broomfield BC for the visit of Suffolk CBA. Thunder and heavy rain provided a dramatic back drop as the players of both sides arrived and it looked like it might be a long damp afternoon.
Fortunately as the players took to the green for the trial ends the rain desisted and the sun came out. The sun then remained out until just after the game had finished, when we had another heavy shower, so clearly the weather gods are Suffolk fans!
This time the match needed no intervention from one rink to be tight with the highest winning margin for either side being 6 shots. Middlesex however prevailed on 4 rinks, with one drawn. Indeed the only losing rink, only lost by 1shot so Middlesex were able to record their second win of the week this time by 119 shot to 108.
Kevin Birch (Captain of Poplar) will certainly remember his first game as he played lead for the eventual top rink, who despite being 0-9 down at the start, stormed back to win 24 shots to 18. His team mates were Ray Ells (Bush Hill Park), Eric Pelling (County Coach / Selborne) and Richard Clarke (Past President / Brentham).
After the match the players sat down to an excellent three course meal prepared and laid on by 4 of Broomfield's lady members, an excellent and keenly devoured effort which in my opinion was in stark contrast to that laid on by the full time "paid" caterers from Tuesday's game. Well done Broomfield.
The friendly squad now takes a break for the annual festivities at Worthing. Best of luck to all those from Middlesex who are taking park in the National Championships, inc Kenny Allen's (Broomfield) Mixed 4's, Jim Paveling (North London) over 55 Singles, Atilio Ciampini (Ruislip) Champion of Champion who will take on Billy Jackson of Lincolnshire in the first game. And of course our Under 25's when hopefully a sea of Orange will cheer them on to glory on the Sunday 17th August.
The Friendly
Squad resume playing on Tuesday August 26th when they make the long trip
to Hunstanton BC to play Norfolk CBA before completing their programme on
September 9th with a home game at Brentham BC against Surrey CBA. |