BRAVE MIDDLESEX FIGHTBACK ALL IN VAIN

The blunt facts show that a second defeat in this season’s competition mean that Middlesex are effectively out of the Middleton Cup race for 2010. The atmosphere, however, after Saturday’s game was in stark contrast to that of last week.

From the off Middlesex were up for this game, Captain John Sweeney led the rallying call in his pre match talk, President Graham Kellet proudly read out the names of his side and as each rink was finished the others in the squad cheered and clapped that rink on.

As the game started players could be seen shaking hands and high fiving with those on the rinks either side of them to wish each other good luck.

The match itself against Hampshire CBA, who had also lost their opening group game, got off to a slow start on Finchley’s green. At 5 ends there was only a four shot margin with Middlesex down 22-26. As the sun came out Middlesex started to fall behind and by ten ends the gap was 15 (40-55).

Looking across the rinks it seemed little was going Middlesex’s way as plenty of head holding was being seen alongside exasperated gasps from some rinks.

At 15 ends the gap had narrowed slightly to 12 and with some rinks ahead of others in terms of ends played the gap at one point got down to 7. Hampshire’s resolve however grew stronger and at 18 ends the gap was back to 18 and in a strong finish they eventually won by 24, 116 shots to 92.

With victories on two rinks Middlesex collected 4 points to Hampshire’s 18.

Top rink for Middlesex was Ashley Tanner (Ashford), Jamie Gibbs (Paddington) and Simon Evans and Mal Bishop of City of London who won 19-14.

Not wishing to detract from their achievement special praise should also go to Roger Watkinson (Bush Hill Park), Andy Dempster (Ladygate) and Alistair Frankland (West Finchley). With Alistair moved up to skip they were joined by Andy Knott of Masonian as they recovered from their heavy defeat against Surrey to win their rink 16-12.

So it’s onto Sutton’s and a tough but winnable date with Berkshire CBA. Middlesex can still have an influence on the group and players can still earn places for next season’s Centenary campaign. The selectors and team management will possibly move a few things around to see what works and what does not over the remaining 2 games.

In the days other group game Berkshire CBA got their campaign off to a flying start by beating Surrey 127 – 110, 18 points to 4. The group table reads as follows

Surrey             Played 2          24pts

Hampshire      Played 2          22 pts

Berkshire        Played 1          18 pts

Oxford            Played 1          16 pts

Middlesex       Played 2          6 pts