BERKSHIRE BEATEN AS FRANKLAND’S FANTASTIC FOURSOME FLOURISH

 

Roger Watkinson (Bush Hill Park), Andy Dempster (Ladygate) Andy Knott (Masonians) and Alistair Frankland (West Finchley) were the Counties heroes as their rink’s superb 29-13 win proved pivotal in Middlesex recording their first victory in this seasons Middleton Cup campaign.

 

Middlesex made 3 changes from the previous weeks defeat, with Paul Reynolds and Jamie Gibbs unavailable Tony Waller and Phil Sutcliffe returned to the side. Aaron Wallis then endured a journey to the game that few will now allow him to forget which allowed John Carey (West Ealing) to make his cup debut and receive his red Middleton Cup flash from President Graham Kellet.

 

The match against the Royal County was played at the fantastic Sutton’s Bowling Club in Reading but the weather was hardly that expected for this time of year with a stiff breeze chilling players and spectators alike.

 

Middlesex dispensed with their usual pre match pep talk but even without Captain John Sweeney’s promptings fresh in their ears the side made a great start, leading 29-19 at 5 ends. At 10 ends the lead had been extended to 19 (63-44).

 

Berkshire fought back and as Mal Bishop’s rink became the last to finish their 15th end the master scoreboard showed Middlesex were now only 8 in front (82-74). This hid the unfolding picture “live” on the green as some rinks were further ahead than others and as one rink finished their 15th end Ron LeLeux’s rink was playing their 21st and final end with the “live” scoreboard showing Berkshire in front by a couple of shots.

 

This time it was Middlesex’s turn to stand firm and at 18 ends the margin has been extended slightly to 10 shots (101-91). As the match entered its final stages it could have gone either way and despite two Middlesex rinks dropping 5 shots on their final ends to cost them their rink points Middlesex managed to hold on by 6 shots, 118 to 112.

 

Victory on the aforementioned Alistair Frankland’s rink and a 23-14 rink victory for Ray Fortune and Tommy Brooks (Poplar), Mark Mansell (City of London) and Perry Cook meant that Middlesex returned home with 14 points to Berkshire’s 8.

 

In the days other game Oxford beat Surrey 16 points to 6 to leave the table as follows:-

 

Oxford            Played 2          Points 32

Surrey             Played 3          Points 30

Berkshire        Played 2          Points 26

Hampshire      Played 2          Points 22

Middlesex       Played 3          Points 20

 

So with 1 game to go all things are still possible in the group.  In their final group game Middlesex host Oxfordshire CBA at Finchley, can we repeat our fabulous victory of 2009, all will become clearer in 7 days. Supporters will be most welcome.

 

Tony Waller (Photographs Joan Waller)