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MIDDLESEX SLIP TO OPENING DEFEAT
2009 Home Counties League Champions Middlesex CBA slipped to a dissapointing 6 shot defeat in their opening game of the 2010 season against Surrey CBA at Finchley on Saturday.
Despite victory on 3 rinks it was not enough to avoid a 109-115 defeat and a points loss of 6-16.
Played on a gloriously sunny day more suited to sitting on the beach at places like Blackpool it was perhaps fitting that it was their football supporters together with those of Cardiff FC, heading for Wembley that resulted in a delayed start to the action as players got stuck all around the North Circular. At least one Orange army had a day to remember!
Middlesex's new home venue has so far not proved to be a comfort as having already lost to Hampshire CBA in the Bowls England County Double Rink this second straight defeat will have the selectors sending for the motivational speakers.
Played on a tricky Finchley surface, that seemed at times to confound players of all levels from the inexperienced Home Counties player right up to seasoned Internationals, Middlesex failed to heed the pre match warning of team captain John Sweeney that Surrey had selected a strong side and would be seriously "up" for the tie. After 5 ends Middlesex trailed by 3 shots (26-29), a poor second 5 ends saw Middlesex trail by 45-63 at the half way stage with only 1 rink in front
A second half fight back, led largely by a storming performance of Ron LeLeux's rink and a come from behind victory for Perry Cook' men saw the scores tied at 85 after 15 ends. This momentum however was not matched on all rinks and at 18 ends the deficit was back to 9 at 92-101. A strong finish saw the gap narrow to 1 with 4 ends of the match to go and the last 3 rinks on the green but Surrey's players held their nerve to seal the deal.
Congratulations to Paul Reynolds (Ladygate), Craig Hill (Normand Park), David Crudington (Bush Hill Park) and Pat Briscoe (Paddington) whose rink secured a 24-18 win and 2 points. Praise also for debutant Glen Adams (Uxbridge), Tommy Brooks (Poplar), Jason Rowlands (Rosedale Park) and Perry Cook (Poplar) who's rink fought back from 13-3 down at 10 ends to secure another 2 points with a 21-15 win but pride of place goes to Richard Southgate (Harrow), John Carey (West Ealing) Jim Paveling ( North London) and Ron LeLeux (Uxbridge) who's rink won 25-11 against the rink skipped by ex Middlesex stalwart and International player Ian Jenkins.
So a dissapointing start but the squad have an early opportunity to make amends this Saturday and gain some confidence ahead of the Middleton campaign when they travel to Preston BC near Brighton to take on their Counterparts from Sussex CBA - full preview Friday
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