MIDDLESEX CBA UNDER 25’s REGIONAL FINALS

Not a good day for those who suffer with their nerves but a brilliant day for the County's U25 team, they beat Berkshire CBA under 25’s in the morning by 48 shots to 30, then beat a very strong Kent CBA under 25’s side in the afternoon, 42 shots to 32, qualifying for the Bowls England Under 25’s Double Four Finals which take place at Worthing on the 17th August 2008.

Back to the first game, this was not as comfortable as the score suggests, in fact after 5 ends Middlesex were 5 shots up,  10 ends 7 shots up but only 1 up by the end of the 17th end.

The rink scores are as follows J Gibbs, C Hill , A Richardson and N Edwards down by 13 shots, 9 shots to 22. The rink of L Barber, A Pearce P Wilsher and R Southgate up by 14 shots, 21 shots to 7.

Nerves were apparent and to the players credit they seemed to control theirs better than the Berkshire side, over the last 5 ends our rinks managed to pick up 18 shots and dropped only 1. Player of the morning was Lee Barber who played some brilliant bowls, especially on the first 10 ends. Final rink scores J Gibbs 18 shots to 23 and L Barber 30 shots to 7.

Once your nerves had recovered and after a very good lunch provided by the Chesham BC, the lads decided to put both themselves and the supporters through another agonising 3 hours.

This time it was the reverse of the first game, after 5 ends they were 3 shots down, after 10 ends it looked like it was drifting away as we were 11 shots down with the rink of J Gibbs drawing 7 shots all and the rink of L Barber down by 11 shots.

Then the team spirit which has always been good really kicked in, this coupled with the odd bit of luck which had been missing in the first 10 ends enabled us to reduced the deficit to only 3 shots after 15 ends. Then as in the first game, the last 6 ends on each rink proved decisive with Middlesex picking up 19 shots and only dropping 6 shots. Final rink scores J Gibbs 22 shots to 13 and L Barber 20 shots to 19.

Shot of the match was played by N Edwards, who on the 18th end, with the match still very tight drew round the opposing leads bowl, which was just 6 inches in front of the jack and rested on their the lead's other bowl which was shot, 4 inches behind the jack and earned himself the biggest cheer of the day and a big cuddle from all the players------ not a pretty sight.

It was a good day to be associated with Middlesex, credit to the 8 players who ALL played their part, it was a fantastic TEAM achievement. 

Special thanks to all the supporters and county officials, with special thanks to the 3 reserves, C. Law, A. Tanner and J. Head, who, although disappointed in not playing stayed and cheered their team mates on, as well as helping to drink Chesham B.C nearly dry of Lager and Magners.       

Ray Fortune.

Team Manager.