VICTORY AT THE DOUBLE AS FRIENDLY CAMPAIGN BEGINS.

Middlesex County Bowling Associations friendly Squad began their 2011 Centenary campaign, under the leadership of new President Brian Elbourn, with a trip into Shakespeare County to play Warwickshire CBA.

On the last visit to the same venue, Stratford upon Avon Bowls Club in 2009, Middlesex and Warwickshire shared the rink spoils 3 each but Middlesex emerged victorious by 4 shots.

This year despite a determined effort by Warwickshire that saw them win on 4 rinks, Middlesex managed to extend their winning sequence against the White Bear County to at least 5 seasons with a 119-115 victory, there by replicating their 4 shot margin of 2009.

That there was a victory to celebrate at all was down to the efforts of the Presidents rink. Jack Sadie (Harrow), Peter Lavender (Ladygate), David Vine (Wealdstone) and Brian Elbourn himself recorded an impressive 30-12 victory and with 2 of the Counties rinks only losing by 1 and another by 2, this proved decisive.

After the game Brian had the pleasure of presenting Paul Chapman of Muswell Hill with his County badge.

2 days later and the selected side gathered at Holtwhites for the game against Buckinghamshire CBA. Buckinghamshire would have bad memories of last years game at Marlow BC when, despite the sides sharing the rink spoils, 3 each, Middlesex’s rink wins were severe enough to see an overall winning margin of 61 shots recorded.

Well 12 months on and Middlesex were rampant again as victory on 5 rinks saw them destroy Buckinghamshire by 68 shots 161-93, almost equalling their highest winning margin of 2010.

Rinks wins of 22 shots (Kenny Allen, Broomfield) and 24 shots (Richard Kirk, Wealdstone) would in most games almost certainly guarantee you top rink honours but on this occasion the 25 shot margin recorded by Steve Bland (Wealdstone), Maurice Bryon (Cambridge Park), David Todd (S.D.P. / Sunbury) and Andy Knott (Masonians) was decisive.

It was a double celebration for Maurice as alongside Kevin Woodhead of Ashford he was presented with his County Badge after the game.

So, can the friendly squad keep up this winning start, next week they have 2 more games. Firstly on Tuesday 17^th, at Broomfield, they host Bedfordshire CBA in a fixture where history suggests home advantage is key and then on the 19^th at Bush Hill Park they host Kent CBA in an extra friendly to mark both counties centenaries.

As always if anything happens in a game, be it funny or otherwise, that you want reported or if a game marks a special occasion in some way please let me know via 07866-603596 or tony.waller1999@googlemail.com so that I can include it in the match review.