MIDDLESEX PLAY THEIR 50 / 50……………….WELL ALMOST!

It was a case of extremes as Middlesex’s friendly squad played back to back games this week.

Firstly on Wednesday the Squad travelled north to Nottinghamshire and Notts H.Q. Bowls Club for this annual game. Defeat in 2 of the 3 previous meetings between the sides meant that Middlesex knew this was going to a tough game.

The start of the Middlesex Singles competition also meant that the side travelled north perhaps slightly weaker than might have been hoped and under a hot sun Nottinghamshire CBA took full advantage.

Victory on 4 rinks, including 1 by 20 and 1 by 30 meant that Nottinghamshire won by 143-93.

Middlesex’s 2 rink victories came courtesy of Harry Skerrett (Bounds Green), Roy Hearn (Hayes), David Midgley (Selbourne) and Andy Knott (Masonians) who won 19-18 and the top rink of Graham Kellet (President / Cambridge Park), Brian Johnson (Ladygate), Eddie Halling (Wealdstone) and Brian Elbourne (Harrow / S.D.P.) who won 20-14.

24 hours later the County made it’s first ever visit to Staines Bowls Club for a County Friendly. The opposition, Sussex CBA, travelled knowing that they had a poor record against Middlesex at all levels and as with Wednesday’s not unexpected defeat to Nottinghamshire Middlesex decided nothing was to change here either.

With the weather still very warm a good game was anticipated on what turned out to be a quick green. Victory on 5 of the six rinks meant that Middlesex won 128-80 and almost recaptured the 50 shot deficit from the previous day.

Top rink was Len Head (Sunbury), Steve Bland (Wealdstone), Roger Watkinson (Bush Hill Park) and for the second day running Brian Elbourne (Harrow / S.D.P.) who won by 15 (26-11) courtesy of Brian drawing shot with the last bowl of the match. Brian’s draw meant that top rink was secured on ends won from another rink winning by 15 shots, 28-13…….mine!! Well played to Nick Masters (Staines), Roy Dodson (Brondesbury) and Mike Rayner (Gunnersbury Park).

Also of note in this match was arguably one of the oldest skipping duals in County friendly history with Middx Patron Ron Petch (Acton Park) taking on one of the best ever Middlesex bowlers Ted Hayward now a resident of Sussex. For the record Ron won but from the camaraderie witnessed between the two before, during and after the game it did not look like it mattered to them as much as catching up and reminiscing.

Next up for Middx is another home game on the 30^th June when they host Hampshire CBA at Ladygate BC. Middlesex will be looking to continue their winning sequence against Hampshire having won both games since the tie was re introduced in 2008