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Through to the semis!
After a few shredded nerves (and fingernails), we've progressed to the semi-finals of the Tom Francis Cup - the competition we were nearly thrown out of before we'd bowled a wood.
Having assembled two teams in little more than a week to play Felbridge in the first round, only to be given a walkover after they withdrew, and then been promised an alternative date for our second-round tie against Newick, only for the offer to be withdrawn, we were given an ultimatum: to play on Carrow Cup day or concede the match.
The eventual postponement of the latter meant we were given a lifeline - and we seized the opportunity with (pretty much) both hands, with a magnificent effort across the two games, including a stunning comeback in the home leg.
The outcome is determined by the aggregate scores of the respective sides' home and away teams.
And it was looking ominous for the home quartet of Jacquie, Mark Gooch, Bill and me as we trailed Newick 0-10 after five ends.
It looked even worse after 11, when we had slumped to 3-13 down. But the mood lifted after we were informed that our away four - Anne, Clive, Stephen and Bob - were 13-7 up - meaning we were only 16-20 down overall.
It transformed our bowls, gave everybody a lift - and seemed to have the reverse effect on the visitors from Newick, who, up to that point, had mastered the tricky green much better than we had.
Our home team actually fell further behind - 3-16 after 13 - but we won four of the last five - including fours on each of the final two - to narrow the gap to 15-17. The eight points gained on those two ends proved to be the precise overall points difference, making our victory very much a complete team effort.
We now play Buxted Park - subject to confirmation - in the semi-final on July 12.
For news of our external cup competitions, click on the Fixtures and Results dropdown menu and select External Competitions.
Linda goes close
Linda took Lindfield's John Truran to 23 ends before he finally clinched victory in their Mid Sussex Champion of Champions match at Beech Hurst on June 26.
Linda, who beat Caren Stoffberg in the first round, lost 16-21, played well throughout and brilliantly in places, but finally succumbed to her opponent's tenacity and broad range of bowling skills..
Full story here.
Bowls backers taken for a ride at Beech Hurst
It’s been a busy weekend for the club, hosting two special visiting teams in successive days.
The Sussex Vice Patrons visited on June 19, and the following day, the Friends of English Bowling – a major supporter of the sport in England – played six triples against us.
The friends help fund the cost of major bowls events, including national championships and youth tournaments.
Members often tour parts of the country to play friendlies against host clubs.
They presented captain of the day Basil Larkins and his playing partners, Ted and Jennie, with miniature cacti and in return were treated to free trips on the miniature railway that circles our green.
In an intriguing friendly, played in warm, sunny and humid conditions, the visitors won only two of the six games but won the overall match by 10 points.
For a personal perspective of the game - and the day - read Jennie's article.
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The entire website can be navigated from this homepage.
This area will keep you updated on news and developments at the club, all of which can be found by clicking the News link at the top of each page or any of the articles on the right-hand side.
Latest news includes:
- Tom Francis: Great recovery in the home-and-away knockout competition
- Champion of Champions: Linda loses out but does us proud
- Rare win at Buxted Park: See Fixtures and Results page
- Competitions: Second update of progress in our internal contests
- Edward Rowland disappointment but victory over the VPs
- New Friends: Jennie's view of our special day with the Friends of English Bowling