RESULTS

THE SUFFOLK COUNTY (E.B.A) FOURS LEAGUE

The semi-finals and final of the Suffolk County E.B.A. Fours League took place at the Hopton Bowls Club on Sunday September 5th. In the semi-finals in the morning, Ipswich bowls club played Cornard bowls club with Ipswich winning a very closely fought battle by a single shot. After 5 ends Ipswich were 8 shots up and after 10 ends the margin was still 7 shots, but by the 15th end Cornard had pulled back the deficit and had a 2 shot lead 41- 43. By the 20th end, this had increased to 5 shots; a lead at that point by 53-58 shots. Ipswich provided a thrilling finish scoring 6 shots over the three rinks without reply, with the rink of Colin Rumsby picking up three shots to secure the win.

In the other semi-final, Felixstowe and Suffolk B.C. took on Marlborough B.C. Felixstowe eventually won a seesaw match by 12 shots 68-56. After 5 ends Felixstowe were 4 shots to the good, leading 14-10, but after 10 ends Marlborough had clawed these shots back and were leading by 6 shots 27-33. The advantage had swung back in Felixstowe's favour by the 15th end and they had a lead of 1 shot 44-43. This lead had risen to 9 shots by the 20th end with Felixstowe leading 64-55 and with Felixstowe scoring 4 shots to Marlborough's 1 on the final end, Felixstowe made their way through to the final.

The afternoon's final produced another thrilling game the result in doubt right up until the final wood had been bowled. After the first 5 ends, Felixstowe had established a 9 shot lead being ahead 19-10. They maintained this lead to the 10th end although Ipswich had reduced the lead by 1 shot: the score being 31-23. By the 15th end, the lead had increased again to 10 shots, Felixstowe having the advantage 48-38. This lead almost completely disappeared by the 20th end with Felixstowe leading only by 2 shots 60-58. The Ipswich rink of Kelvin Earthroll produced a terrific fight back having been 16-4 down at one point. They went into the final end leading 24-22. This being the final game to finish, and with the other 2 Ipswich rinks winning 3 shots to Felixstowe's 1 on their respective final ends, the result of the match depended on the outcome of the final end between John Roper's Felixstowe rink and the Ipswich rink skipped by Kelvin ,the scores at that point tied at 61 all. Despite the jack being moved, Felixstowe secured 1 vital shot to win the final by the narrowest of margins 62-61.

The trophy was presented to Brian Insley, the captain of Felixstowe and Suffolk B.C., by Chris Leake, past County President, who is also Chairman of the Hopton bowls club, he congratulated all 4 clubs who had taken part in both the semi finals and finals. Thanks were passed on to all the members of the Hopton club who had worked hard all day providing refreshments and manning the bar.

Well done and well deserved!

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"Anything within 2 metres will give you shot"