In House Top Club + Last 2 Club Matches

Following on from our Ladies team's success in the Top Club County Final, Club Captain Wendy Cross thought that it might be a good idea to hold an in-house Top Club competition between our Ladies and Gents. This took place in the afternoon of Sunday, September 7th, with Alan Gough as Men's Captain and Wendy Cross as Ladies Captain. The afternoon started with a "Spider", which was won by Elaine Robinson.

As a result of two late withdrawals, Dave Ward sportingly opted to be an honorary lady and was known as Davina for the afternoon. The other substitution was by Jeff Harris, who stepped up, despite having none of his kit with him. Using borrowed woods, Jeff went into battle, pairing up with David Lloyd in the 2 Wood Pairs, over 21 ends. Their opponents were Jean Buckett and Jane Ward, who started steadily to lead 6-4 after 7 ends. Four of the next 7 ends went to David and Jeff, giving them an 11-9 lead. Ends 15 and 16 went to David & Jeff, both singles, then ends 17-19 went to Jean & Jane (2,1,1) and it was 19-19 with 2 ends to play. A final flourish from David & Jeff gave them a 16-13 win and a point for the Gents.

In the Pairs game, over 18 ends, David Challis and John Townley represented the Gents team against Sue Reid and Elaine Robinson for the Ladies. A very good start, winning the first 5 ends put David & John 9-0 ahead. It was now the turn of Sue & Elaine, winning 4 ends in a row and scoring 7 shots, to reduce the deficit to 2. A score of 6 on end 10 really rocked Sue & Elaine and they now trailed 7-15. With only a single to show for their efforts over the next 4 ends, Sue & Elaine were in trouble, down by 8-18 with only 4 ends to play. They were not going down without a fight though and won the final 4 ends (1,4,4,1) to force a draw at 18-18. Half a point each.

The Rink, over 18 ends, featured Laurie Mowatt, Stuart Earl, Keith Walters and Pete Leverett against Marilyn Mowatt, Jenny Ward, Sandra Gough and Janet Townley. Leading by 2-1 after 3 ends, the Gents could only watch while the Ladies won 4 successive ends (1,2,1,2) to lead 7-2. A good run by the Gents gave them 4 winning ends (3,2,1,1) and a 9-7 lead. Two shots apiece on ends 12 and 13 kept the score difference the same. The Gents won 3 of the final 5 ends, but scored one shot fewer, scraping home by 14-13. Another point for the Gents.

Last to finish was the Triple, over 18 ends. Representing the Gents were Neil Warley, Chris Emmett and Alan Gough, facing the Ladies team of "Davina" Ward, Lorraine Walters and Wendy Cross. A slow start by the Gents left them 1-8 down after end 5, having conceded a 5 on end 4. A pair and a 4 added 6 shots to the Ladies' one over the next 3 ends and it was closer at 7-9. A good run by the Ladies, winning 5 ends (2,1,2,1,1) put them in a good position, at 16-7 ahead. The Gents fought back, with 3 of the final 5 ends going to them, adding 6 shots to the Ladies' 3, but the Ladies triumphed 19-13. A point to the Ladies.

The final result of this fun, tense and hard fought afternoon was a narrow victory for the Gents, by 2.5 points to 1.5, despite the fact that the Ladies won on shots by 63-61.