SECRETARY'S SHIELD - BOWDON
FIRS REACH FINAL FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
09/08/03
Bowdon Firs came within one match of retaining the Shield
with a resounding 6 - 1 victory over Southport. To be fair to Southport
it must be said that the score does not reflect the balance of play in a
match played in sweltering heat.
In the morning session James Hawkins and John Taylor
beat John Wilkinson and Sylvia Steer +26. John (18) went to 3 back using
just one bisque and James completed the demolition job with two double peels
ending with a bisque standing to his great delight. The two singles
games were very tight affairs Lorna Frost beating Diana Williamson +1 on
time and Frank Moir beating Carol Lewis +2 also on time.
Lunch Score Bowdon Firs 2 Southport
1
John Wilkinson took his revenge on James in their singles
game by beating him +26 also with a bisque standing! James had escaped
from a cross wiring at hoop 1 with a jump shot over the hoop using a mallet
borrowed from the clubhouse but mis-hit the ensuing take-off and missed
the consequent long roquet. He said he had not realised the mallet
was two inches shorter than his own! The other three singles were a
very different kettle of fish. After one and a half hours Frank had
taken a good lead over Diana but Lorna was a few hoops down against Carol
and John Taylor was on peg and 5 while Sylvia had not started but he had
used all his bisques.
With twenty minutes of time left Diana and Carol had
both established leads and Sylvia was still five hoops behind so Southport
were beginning to look favourites. The resilience and determination
of the Firs players which has characterised their performances in this competition
came to the fore and all three snatched victory, Lorna and Frank by +5 and
Sylvia by +1 on time.
RESULT
James Hawkins (-0.5) and John Taylor (18) beat John Wilkinson (5) and Sylvia
Steer (7) +26
Lorna Frost (7) beat Diana Williamson (6) +1 on time
Frank Moir (7) beat Carol Lewis (7) +2 on time
John Wilkinson (5) beat James Hawkins (-0.5) +26
Lorna Frost (7) beat Carol Lewis (7) +5
Frank Moir (7) beat Diana Williamson (6) +5
Sylvia Steer (7) beat John Taylor (18) +1 on time
Frank Moir and Lorna Frost both triggered handicap reductions to 6.