Connaught-Bowls-Club

Unlike Short Mat bowls, which is organised and played on a unisex basis, the outdoor game has separate governing bodies and competitions for men and women. However, there is also a lot of mixed competition. The Club, with some 100 of its 140 members playing regularly in the summer, has a high membership in comparison with most clubs but does not claim to be of more than average playing-strength. Connaught essentially is a close-knit, community-based club serving Attleborough and surrounding villages, and sees its recreational and social side as very important. Connaught does not 'chase' players from other clubs but each year picks up one or two experienced players moving to the area. More often, through local publicity, the Club rears its own by recruiting people new to the game.

In 2005, starting on 14th May, a free four-week coaching course is available to the general public on Saturday mornings (phone 01953 452768 for details or enquire via the Contact Us page on this website). Connaught is also delighted to have established a link with Attleborough High School; starting 9th May, around 20 pupils from the school will have free use of the green on Monday and Thursday afternoons and will receive coaching from Club members.

MENS OUTDOOR BOWLS (EXTERNAL LEAGUES & COMPETITIONS) 2005

The Men's section fields teams in the County League and plays in various cup and other competitions.

County E.B.A.League

Mike Parsons is Club Captain in 2005 and will lead the Men's 'A' team in the County League South Zone Division 2. Stan Groom will again captain the 'B' team, which plays in Central Zone Division 3. In 2004 the 'A' side narrowly missed out on promotion, while the 'B' team recovered from under-performance for a couple of years to finish in a respectable mid-table position. Hopes are higher for 2005. For the 'A' side Bill Adcock is able to resume full-time playing and the return from university of Lee Fallows will add both ability and more youth to the squad; with one exception, all other squad members from last year remain available. For the 'B' side, Bob Oatway is available again after concentrating in recent years on Short Mat bowls and there is a useful recruit in Ken Ramsbottom; other squad members from last year are available. Both captains are hoping that other useful players in the Club, who did not seek selection for the league teams, will at least help out in emergency. But overall the position looks more promising than for several years.

Connaught ‘A'

On Wednesday 4th May Connaught travelled to Scole to play a home side relegated last season but still a force to be reckoned with. Near Arctic conditions in an isolated spot and a slow, soggy green made for a difficult match in which Connaught came second by 42 shots to 62 and 0 points to 5. Bill Adcock, with Keith Banks, Russell Hales and Ray Wells lost 8-13 after taking an early lead and still being 8-7 up after 12 ends; the Scole skip, A Eaton, produced some fine shots. Denny Gardiner, with Darren Thurston, Lee Fallows and Mike Parsons, was 9-9 after 11 ends and 9-22 after 20 ends; a single shot on end 21 brought them to 10-22. A simple story here of the Scole players, in a game of generally good heads, being more accurate. Paddy Castle, with Jim Ross, John Winup and Ivor Moore, lost 19-22 in a fluctuating game very nearly won. 19-16 up after 18 ends and 19-20 down after 19 ends, Connaught held a good 3 on end 20 but Mike Flynn, the Scole skip, produced a remarkable draw to take the end. Too many short shots from Connaught was the verdict in this match. Overall a bad start but still a long way to go.

Connaught recorded their first win, 65 shots to 52 and 4 points to 1, at home to South Park on Wednesday 11th May. On another bitterly cold evening, Denny Gardiner, with Darren Thurston, Lee Fallows and Mike Parsons, won 21-18 after being 9-14 down at 12 ends; everybody played very well in this good recovery. Bill Adcock, with Bim Wood, Barry Ayton and Russell Hales, had a sound 25-13 victory; a 7 on end 8 gave them a 15-5 cushion and they held on quite comfortably. Bim, one of the occasional reserves, came in at the last minute, owing to David Harvey's illness, and played an excellent game at lead; he is a talented player. Paddy Castle, with Jim Ross, John Winup and Ivor Moore, lost disappointingly19-21 in the block's second successive narrow defeat in a match where the lead changed hands several times (6-2 at end 3, 9-12 at end 11, 17-13 at end 17, 19-17 at end 20, then a dropped 4 on the last end). The South Park skip, B Potter, had a tremendous game throughout, summed up by a long range power shot on end 18 converting 3 down to 3 up. Paddy also played well, on one occasion saving 4 shots with a powerful drive. Jim has not quite "found it" yet at lead, and despite brilliant individual ends from all four players the block needs to "get more in" together.

Away to Norfolk Bowling Club on Wednesday 18th May, Connaught justified the reversed cliché and undoubtedly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. What seemed a certain 4-1 and possible 5-0 was converted into a 2-3 defeat by dint of a bad second half from all three rinks. Denny Gardiner, with Darren Thurston, Lee Fallows and Mike Parsons, lost 14-29 after staying in touch for the first 10 ends. The opposition bowled well and Connaught, with one or two people perhaps out of form and playing position, could not match the accuracy - simple as that. Paddy Castle, with Jim Ross, John Winup and Ivor Moore, led 19-2 after 11 ends and eventually scrambled to victory 21-17. The Connaught Four played brilliantly at first against dumbstruck opponents and seemed set for a huge win; complacency did not set in but the Norfolk lead found the green and his side rediscovered their form to fight back very well. Bill Adcock, with Keith Banks, Russell Hales and Ray Wells, had a similar experience; 14-4 up after 9 ends Connaught won 20-15. After 9 ends Paddy's and Bill's blocks combined had a 25 shot advantage and finished only 9 ahead. Connaught won 2 rinks but lost 55-61 on overall shots in what turned out to be a disappointing night. Congratulations to Norfolk BC on the recovery and on a magnificent green.

At home to Shotford 'A' on Wednesday 25th May Connaught won by 66 shots to 51 and by 4.5 points to 0.5 in a match much harder-fought than the overall score suggests. Paddy Castle (skip), with Jim Ross, John Winup and Ivor Moore, drew 19-19 after being 13-6 ahead at end 10 and 19-16 ahead at end 19. Against Scole, South Park and now Shotford 'A' this rink has lost winning positions in the last two or three ends and just survived against Norfolk BC after losing a huge early lead. Co-incidence? Complacency? Nerves? In this match all the Connaught players were steady, with Ivor showing much-improved form, but the Shotford 3 and skip were canny bowlers effecting the nudge and the wick quite regularly to save or take the end. Bill Adcock, skipping Keith Banks, Russell Hales and Ray Wells, was 7-8 down after 10 ends and 18-8 up after 18 ends, eventually winning 20-12. This was a determined team performance, with both Ray at 3 and Bill pulling off the big shot when it mattered. Denny Gardiner skipped Darren Thurston, Lee Fallows and Mike Parsons to a 27-20 victory in which Connaught actually lost more ends than they won. A 6 on the first end and another 6 on end 10 made a huge difference but Shotford battled away and pulled up to 19-21 after 17 ends. Denny then produced a tremendous drive to turn 3 down into 3 up and this turned the match. Everybody played well, with Darren leading very accurately and with Mike settling into the No 3 slot; Lee is getting there although his technique may be inhibiting the driving shot.

Connaught played Shotford 'B' at home on Wednedsday 1st June and won by 78 shots to 48 and by 4 points to 1. Shotford 'B had been the surprise packet in the league so far, with four successive wins including a victory over Shotford 'A'! Paddy Castle (skip), Jim Ross, John Winup and Ivor Moore had a big win by 35-11; Jim had probably his best match of the season at lead and everybody else played consistently well. Bill Adcock skipped Keith Banks (lead), Russell Hales and Ray Wells to a similarly large win, by 31 shots to 11; a 6 on end 18 and a 4 on the last end did much to increase the margin of victory. Again everybody played well, with Russell Hales at 2 in particularly good form. Denny Gardiner, skipping Bim Wood (lead), Lee Fallows and Mike Parsons, found himself playing probably Shotford's best block; the Shotford lead had a superb match and constantly put the pressure on the home block. From 5-1 down after 12 ends Connaught then achieved some parity in containing the defeat to 12-26. The strength to date of Shotford 'B' probably lies in the recruitment of some useful Federation players from Pulham Market and therefore this was a sound win for Connaught.

Away to new league leaders, Diss 'B', on Wednesday 8th June Connaught had a big win by 83 shots to 44 and by 5 points to 0. Diss did not seem to bowl well on their own green but this may have been due to the pressure exerted by Connaught. Denny Gardiner, with Darren Thurston, Lee Fallows and Keith Beavers, had a slow start and did not draw level until end 11. After that they drew ahead steadily although some faltering brought them back to 16-15 after 17 ends. A 5 on end 19 settled matters and the final score was 25-17. Paddy Castle, with Jim Ross, John Winup and Ivor Moore, was 3-6 down after 5 ends but a 6 and then a 4 changed the game and the Diss block, who did not help themselves with indiscriminate firing, were swamped as the final score reached 33-13. A good team effort and with all players having some brilliant individual shots. Bill Adcock, with Keith Banks, Russell Hales and Ray Wells, never lost the lead from the first end and was 25-8 ahead after 18 ends; some relaxation left the final score at 25-14. Another good block performance with Bill again showing very good form. Connaught are back on track but a difficult match at Long Stratton awaits next week, particularly with holiday and other absences forcing team changes.

With Keith Banks, Ray Wells and John Winup all unavailable, Barry Ayton (for his first match of the season of any sort!),Mike Parsons (back to normal duty) and Bim Wood were the replacements in a slightly reshuffled side. Connaught therefore were delighted to win at Long Stratton, not an easy venue, on Wednesday 15th June by 55 shots to 47 and 4 points to 1. Paddy Castle's block, with Barry Ayton at 2 for John Winup, led the way although a convincing 18-6 lead was reduced to the final 23-15. Denny Gardiner's block was in a tight one all the way and the score was 13-13 after 18 ends; Connaught handled the home stretch better to win 17-13. Bill Adcock was 9-10 down after 12 ends and then struggled to 10-17 down; a recovery took them to 15-19. This win takes Connaught to top of the table but nobody is feeling complacent.

The good run was continued at home on Wednesday 22nd June with a win against Scole by 61 shots to 53 and 4 points to 1. Scole are a useful side and had beaten Connaught by maximum points in the first match of the season. Although Connaught got a good measure of revenge, the return leg was a really tough match. On Rink 4 across the pavilion, Bill Adcock, skipping Keith Banks, Russell Hales and Ray Wells, dominated the first half to lead by 17-4 after 12 ends. Things changed dramatically after Scole won the jack, put it short and outbowled the home block to lead 18-17 after 18 ends. Connaught won end 19 to lead 19-18, but Keith Banks then unintentionally put the jack very short and Scole said "thank you" to secure a 4, followed by a 1, and won 23-19. On Rink 5 Paddy Castle, with Jim Ross, John Winup and Ivor Moore, was 8-1 up after 7 ends and 8-9 down after 9 ends, a dropped 3 and 5 proving fatal. At 10-10 after 12 ends, the match was tight but Connaught then took complete control on longer jacks to lead 23 -11 after 18 ends; some slight relaxation set in and five shots were dropped in the last three ends; final score 23-16. Jim Ross had a superb game at lead and John and Ivor played good pressure shots at key moments; Paddy had an average game by his standards but broke Scole on end 18 when he turned 2 down into 4 up with the two best shots of the match. On Rink 6 Denny Gardiner, with Bim Wood, Lee Fallows and Barry Ayton, found himself 1-7 down after 3 ends but then dominated to lead 18-8 after 15 ends; Scole came back well but Connaught had enough in hand and won 19-14. The key to this match was Barry Ayton "finding it" at 3, whilst Bim and Lee were steady throughout against good opponents. Across the three matches Connaught had to set a long jack against Scole's experienced Federation players, used to smaller greens and proficient on short jacks.

Away to South Park on Wednesday 29th June, Connaught had a good win in stormy conditions by 59 shots to 47 and by 4 points to 1. Bill Adcock, with Keith Banks, Russell Hales and Ray Wells, pulled away steadily to be 12-5 up after 14 ends. Holding 4 on end 15 Connaught were then hit by a magnificent last shot from the opposing skip, who took out the jack to five waiting bowls. South Park pulled up further to be 12-12 after 17 ends. Connaught again took control, winning the last four ends and 21-12 overall. Paddy Castle, with Jim Ross, John Winup and Ivor Moore, was in a tight match where Connaught led 12-9 after 14 ends. After that Connaught drew ahead with solid team play (and admittedly the luck also went their way) and won by the convincing margin of 24-11. Ivor had some good shots early on and John's ability to play with power often disrupted good holding positions for South Park. Keith Beavers was a last minute replacement for Denny Gardiner, due to a family bereavement, and the block was reshuffled; Mike Parsons went to skip on the premise that the front three would keep things reasonably tight. A good South Park four had other ideas and also had the luck on the night (reversing Paddly Castle's experience) and won 24-14. Connaught did cling on sufficiently to help achieve the overall shots win.

Connaught played Norfolk Bowling Club 'B' at home on Wednesday 6th July knowing that published league tables were not up to date and that their opponents in fact were league leaders and one point ahead of them. The match assumed some significance. Therefore Connaught were pleased and relieved to win a hard-fought match by 66 shots to 57 and 4 points to 1. On Rink 4 Denny Gardiner, with Mike Parsons, Lee Fallows and Barry Ayton, built up a 15-2 lead after 10 ends but then saw the opposition fight back to be only 16-19 down after 19 ends; Connaught clung on to win 20-17 with Denny's "fire" on the last end saving his side from a possible defeat. On Rink 5 Bill Adcock, with Keith Banks, Russell Hales and Ray Wells, conceded a 6 on end 3, a 5 on end 5 and another 5 on end 9, but also fought back with a 4 and three 3s in a quite extraordinary match. From 10-22 down after 10 ends Connaught finished only 23-26 adrift, a recovery helping to secure the points for overall shots. On Rink 6 Paddy Castle, with Jim Ross, John Winup and Ivor Moore, established a narrow advantage from the start to lead 10-4 after 10 ends; the Norfolk skip saved several shots with power play. However, Norfolk BC's fight back then started and Connaught conceded a 4 to go 12-13 down after 15 ends. They struck back with a 5 on end 17, when the opposing skip fired again but took out his side's wood in third position, and consolidated to win 23-14. A very determined block in which somebody always seems to "get in", they must still sort out some slackness in measuring and in communication.

Away to Shotford 'A' on Wednesday 13th July, Connaught played with great determination to win by 73 shots to 49 and by 5 points to 0 in a match which was more difficult than the score suggests. Bill Adcock, with Keith Banks, Russell Hales and Ray Wells, was 7-4 up after 6 ends, 7-13 down after 12 ends and 12-17 down after 17 ends against opponents playing very well. However, the comeback started and 7 shots were gained over the next 3 ends to give Connaught a 19-17 lead after 20 ends; the block clung on to win 19-18. Denny Gardiner, with Mike Parsons, Lee Fallows and Barry Ayton, was in a similarly tough match and 9-12 down after 13 ends; Connaught then won the next 4 ends to secure an 18-12 lead which was extended to 22-14 at the end. Paddy Castle, with Jim Ross, John Winup and Ivor Moore, was in a very high-scoring match with very few single shot wins. After scoring 6 on end 8, Connaught were 19-7 ahead and were grateful for the margin as Shotford fought back to contain to 17-23 after 17 ends; then the floodgates opened somewhat and Connaught won the last 4 ends with the final score 32-17. With only the occasional wobble, measurement and communication were much better this week. Analysis of the scorecards shows that, after 12 ends, Connaught were losing by 2 rinks to 1 and by 1 shot overall; the resilience then shown by all three blocks was absolutely crucial. There are two matches next week, Shotford 'B' away on Monday and Diss 'B' at home on Wednesday. Shotford 'B', with an influx of half a dozen players from the Pulham Market Federation club, are a strong side and with Norefolk BC 'B' are still keeping the pressure on Connaught in the title chase.

Connaught travelled to Shotford 'B' on Monday 18th July and recorded a good win by 70 shots to 46 and by 4 points to 1. Connaught were "up for it" and it was just as well they were unaware beforehand that Shotford surprisingly had been beaten 5-0 at South Park the previous week; there was no complacency in the ranks. Denny Gardiner, with a slightly changed block of Lee Fallows (lead), Keith Beavers (2) and Barry Ayton, played steadily to be 14-7 up after 13 ends; Shotford threatened briefly after getting a 5 on the next end but Connaught exerted pressure to take control and to win 26-14. Lee had a very good game at lead; one match cannot provide conclusive evidence but lead may well be his best position. With Jim Ross carelessly going on holiday, Darren Thurston came in as lead in Paddy Castle's block with John Winup (2) and Ivor Moore (3) in their usual positions. With aggressive play Connaught established an early stranglehold to lead 14-0 after 7 ends and held on to be 24-5 after 18 ends and 24-9 after 21. All four players had good individual ends and also combined well; Shotford were reduced at 3 and skip to firing throughout and only occasionally were they successful. Bill Adcock, with Keith Banks, Russell Hales and Ray Wells, had to play Shotford's best block but established an 8-3 lead after 7 ends; a dropped 3 and 4 lost them that lead but they recovered to 14-10 up after 11 ends. A disastrous sequence of seven losing ends then saw them 14-21 down after 18 ends. Two 3s to Connaught and a score of 20-21 after 20 ends; Shotford held their nerve, however, and Connaught lost narrowly 20-23. Connaught have now secured promotion (Shotford now cannot overtake them mathematically) but remain in a scrap for the title with Norfolk B C 'B'.

Connaught played Diss 'B' at home on Wednesday 20th July and won by 84 shots to 40 and by 5 points to 0. Denny Gardiner, with Lee Fallows (lead), Keith Beavers (2) and Barry Ayton (3), went 9-0 up after 3 ends and never lost control to win convincingly by 35-12; this combination has worked well for two games now. Bill Adcock, with Keith Banks (lead), Russell Hales (2) and Ray Wells (3), found things tight at first and was 6-7 down after 9 ends. A 5 on end 10 relieved the pressure and Connaught consolidated steadily to win 23-11. Paddy Castle, with Darren Thurston (lead), John Winup (2) and Ivor Moore (3), could not get the better of a tenacious Diss four, and despite scoring a 4 on end 1 and a 5 on end 12 found himself 15-16 down after 15 ends. Another 5, on end 17, eased Connaught nerves and the match was won by 26-17. For a long time Darren had trouble finding the right weight and Paddy was having a fairly indifferent game; both came good in the last six ends or so and this made a big difference. John and Ivor played well to hold things together for much of the match. In all three matches and afterwards Diss proved themselves a good social side. Without knowing the recent Norfolk B C results ands to ensure finishing as division winners, Connaught must seek maximum points at home to Long Stratton in the last match of the season.

Connaught played Long Stratton at home on Wednesday 27th July knowing that Norfolk B C had slipped a little and that there was now a 4 point margin at the top of the table. Complacency did not set in, however; Connaught wanted a winning end to the season and knew that Long Stratton were a talented side well capable of an upset. Connaught indeed found themselves in a tough match but had enough in the tank to win by 62 shots to 55 and by 4 points to 1. Denny Gardiner (skip), Lee Fallows (lead), Keith Beavers (2) and Barry Ayton (3), went 3-5 down after three ends but then dominated the opposition to lead 28-5 after 13 ends. Long Stratton pulled themselves together and avoided a huge defeat by containing the margin to 31-15 in Connaught's favour. The key was superb leading by Lee, well backed up by Keith, and the ability of both Barry and Denny to either consolidate or to play the real pressure shot. The usually solid block of Paddy Castle (skip), Jim Ross (lead), John Winup (2) and Ivor Moore (3) had an off night against a very solid Stratton block well-skipped by R Harvey. Connaught won only one of the first ten ends to be 3-12 down; a good recovery then took them to 10-12 after 13 ends and 13-15 after 15 ends. The usually resilience from Connaught's four in the closing stages simply did not materialise after that as the rain poured down and Stratton applied more pressure to win 27-14; a simple case of four players slightly under par facing an opposition too good on the night. Bill Adcock (skip), Keith Banks (lead), Russell Hales (2) and Ray Wells (3) experienced what Bill called his "toughest match of the season". 1-7 down after six ends and 4-11 down after twelve ends, Connaught had a good run to lead 12-11 after sixteen ends and maintained the pressure to win 17-13. Keith led very well in the second half, well-supported by Russell, and this changed the match; Ray played some good shots under pressure and Bill was both calm and skilful when it mattered. A good end to a good season in which a small squad committed everything to the cause. Mark Tipton leaving the Club and David Harvey deciding not to play this season weakened the side on paper but options were found; the return of Lee Fallows was a huge boost as was the availability of Bim Wood when the side was short. Darren Thurston had a good season and was unlucky to lose his place when work commitments took him away from the area. Mike Parsons captained the side with great determination and, having found what he thought was the right combination for Denny Gardiner, was also very unselfish in standing down for the last few matches.

Redmill Trophy - a report on the annual 'A' v 'B' match appears at the ends of this section ie after the 'B' team league table.

Connaught ‘B'

Captain Stan Groom is delighted with a tremendous start at home on Wednesday 4th May against Watton 'B', a win by 60 shots to 47 and 4 points to 1. "Overall everyone played very well in Arctic conditions" was Stan's commentary. Bob Oatway (welcome back, Bob!), with Dick Newson, Gary Goode and Brian Cole, won convincingly 24-12. Terry Dennis, with Len Thurston, Ken Ramsbottom (welcome to a new member) and Stan Groom won more narrowly 21-15 and Alan Sparrow, with George Barber, Alan Marshall and Derek Liles lost 15-20. A good start by a side which, with useful reserves available, has a solid look to it this season. But still a long way to go.

Connaught travelled to Wicklewood, always a difficult venue, on Wednesday 11th May and lost by 45 shots to 62 and 1 point to 4. Bob Oatway, with Mike Savage, Gary Goode and Ken Lurcock, lost 12-23 in a match where Wicklewood had the upper hand and steadily drew away throughout. Terry Dennis, with Len Thurston, Ken Ramsbottom and Stan Groom, was 14-14 after 15 ends and well in the match but Wicklewood exerted the pressure and Connaught succumbed 16-24. Alan Sparrow, with Brian Cole, Alan Marshall and Derek Liles, went into the lead 5-4 after 7 ends and never lost it after that although the match was always tight; 17-10 up after 19 ends Connaught then dropped 5 shots to give a slightly misleading 17-15 final score.

Connaught beat Thetford 'C' at home on Wednesday 18th May in a solid win by 67 shots to 39. Ken Lurcock, with Dick Newson, George Barber and Brian Cole won 20-14. Alan Sparrow, with Gary Goode, Alan Marshall and Derek Liles won 26-12 (a solid-looking unit which would test any block in the 'A' team). Terry Dennis, with Len Thurston, Stan Groom and Ken Ramsbottom, won 21-13. Stan Groom seems to have found the right combinations this year and has useful reserves; Stan comments on the improved performance as a team. Still early days and the 'B' team must keep it together; the recent seasons' experience of silly absences for frivolous reasons must not be repeated and the consequent commitment will bear fruit!

The previous report's reference to "silly absences for frivolous reasons" proved sadly prophetic as Stan Groom had to make a dozen phone calls to complete his team for the next match. Some people opted for other activities and some reserves ticked themselves unavailable; Len Thurston and Alan Sparrow, regular and committed players, were both ill and this compounded the problem. Therefore it is a pleasure to record that the makeshift side won by 66 shots to 42 and by 4 points to 1 at Mundford 'B' on Wednesday 25th May. Alan Marshall skipped Alan Evans, John Neeve (in his first match for Connaught) and Brian Cole and this very new and cobbled together combination found themselves 0-13 down after 6 ends but recovered to a respectable 14-22 at the end. Terry Dennis (skip), Dick Newson, Stan Groom and Ken Ramsbottom looked sound on paper and proved it in practice by leading throughout and winning 29-7. Ken Ramsbottom in his first season has brought solidity to a block in which Stan can now play in his best position (No 2) and in which Terry Dennis can play with more confidence. Ken Lurcock skipped Mike Savage, George Barber and Gary Goode to a very sound 23-13 victory in which they, too, led from the beginning; Ken lacks for nothing in his commitment to the Club and it was good to see him return to form. The Club bar was a happy place as the 'A' squad congratulated the 'B' on their return from Mundford after a trying week for Stan Groom!

Connaught travelled to Feltwell 'B' on Wednesday 1st June and gained a win by the narrowest of margins, 65 shots to 64 and 3 points to 2. Alan Marshall skipped new member and late substitute John Neeve (lead), Keith Staines (new to bowls late last season and in his debut match) and Gary Goode to a 26-15 victory; Alan managed a nudge for 2 with his last shot to give Connaught the complete match on overall shots. Terry Dennis, skipping Alan Evans (lead), George Barber and Ken Ramsbottom, lost 16-24 after being 13-11 up on end 15; a dropped 6 on end 16 and a dropped 4 on end 21 were disappointing on the home stretch. Bob Oatway skipped Dick Newman (lead, Brian Cole and Ken Lurcock to a narrow 23-25 defeat in which the score itself conceals much drama! Connaught were 19-8 ahead after 14 ends, which was converted to 19-19 after 19 ends; a 4 for Connaught on end 20 seemed to have the match sewn up but Feltwell then hammered them for 6! A trifle disappointing overall with two blocks subsiding at the end, but in the soccer cliché Connaught would have settled beforehand for 3-2! Stan Groom, despite selection problems through non-availability, seems to have good reserves to hand this season and one or two of the expected "regulars" will have to fight for their places.

Connaught had another good win at home to Hingham 'B' on Wednesday 8th June, by 65 shots to 58 and 4 points to 1. Alan Sparrow led his four to a sound 25-14 victory while Bob Oatway's four just got home in a tight match by 19-18. Ken Ramsbottom's block lost 21-26 in a match where Stan Groom reports a lot of luck, wicks etc, on the Hingham side throughout! Continued good form but take one match at a time must still be the message.

Another home match, against Weeting on Wednesday 15th June, saw another good win, by 71 shots to 39 and 4 points to 1. Terry Dennis and block had a massive win by 27-7, Bob Oatway's won solidly by 25-12, and Alan Marshall's just lost by 19-20. Unfortunately, Alan had hurt his back, was on painkillers and played with a big disadvantage. In what is proving a very good season, with settled blocks and with the availability of Ken Ramsbottom and Bob Oatway providing fresh blood, the team is playing with confidence and is a good second in the division to Wicklewood. As with the 'A' side, nobody is complacent but it is good to see Connaught 'B' reviving after some mediocre seasons.

Connaught won by 64 shots to 44 and by 4 points to 1 away to Watton 'B' on Wednesday 22nd June. With availability problems due to illness and holidays, Stan Groom had to ring the changes and John Askew, Charlie Dowse and John Meen came into the side. With Alan Marshall as skip the three replacements formed a block and had a splendid win by 22 shots to 13. Terry Dennis, skipping Len Thurston, John Neeve and Stan Groom, came unstuck for once in a match where Connaught were always behind and lost 16-21. Bob Oatway skipped Dick Newson, Brian Cole and Ken Lurcock to a convincing 26-10 win against a block featuring popular Short Mat opponent Terry Crockett; Terry promised revenge in the winter and will probably get it! The team is going strong and next week's return match, at home to league leaders Wicklewood, is looming large.

Connaught did not rise to the occasion against Wicklewood and went down heavily by 43 shots to 71 in a 1-4 defeat. Alan Sparrow's block lost by 14-32 and Terry Dennis's by 10-23, while Bob Oatway's salvaged respectability in a close win by 19-16. Captain Stan Groom acknowledged a good Wicklewood side but felt that Connaught generally were too inaccurate and simply did not play to ability. The only option now is to recover form and win at Thetford this week!

Connaught did respond to the bad Wicklewood defeat by completing a maximum points double against Thetford 'C', winning away on Wednesday 6th June by 66 shots to 49 and by 5 points to 0. Alan Sparrow, with John Askew, Gary Goode and Alan Marshall, had an excellent start to be 10-0 up after 5 ends and retained the lead throughout to win 23-13. Bob Oatway, with Dick Newson, Ben Askew (16 years old and making his debut) and Ken Lurcock was 6-3 ahead after 7 ends and 6-9 down after 11 ends, but the floodgates then opened as Connaught went 20-11 up after 18 ends. A dropped 5 and 2 then created a semi crisis but a single shot on the last end secured a 21-18 victory. Terry Dennis, with Len Thurston, Stan Groom and Ken Ramsbottom, played very well to be 19-7 ahead after 13 ends but made life difficult when losing the next six ends to be only 19-17 up. A 3 on end 20 calmed the nerves and Connaught won 22-18. Wicklewood seem unlikely to slip up now in this division but Connaught must still chase, create pressure and maintain second position.

At home to Mundford 'B' on Wednesday 13th July Connaught had another big win, by 74 shots to 40 and by 5 points to 0. Terry Dennis's block won 23-14, Bob Oatway's won 21-19 and Alan Sparrow's block had a huge win by 30-7. This was another heartening performance by a side which has exceeded expectations this year; one or two newer players have stiffened the team and block selection has been much more settled. Connaught 'B' have a very good chance now of achieving second position to Wicklewood. The run-in is slightly tricky, with two of the last three matches away from home and with one of those a trip next week to Hingham, but the positive attitude being shown will surely bear fruit.

At home to Feltwell 'B' on Monday 18th July, Connaught won 2 rinks to Feltwell's 1 but lost on overall shots by 52-61 and therefore went down by 2 points to 3. Terry Dennis's block won 20-19 and Alan Sparrow's won 17-15. However, with Bob Oatway on holiday, the third block was changed somewhat and Alan Marshall had the misfortune to skip them to a 15-27 defeat. Connaught had a very narrow 3-2 win at Feltwell earlier in the season, losing by 2 rinks to 1 but winning by one shot, and the home defeat was in reverse but similar. Hingham theoretically remain the only threat to Connaught's promotion hopes and the match at Hingham on Wednesday is a crunch one; however, Connaught have points in the bank and remain in the driving seat. It is a question of securing something from the last two matches.

Connaught found themselves in a tense struggle against prom0tion rivals, Hingham 'B', in an away fixture on Wednesday 20th July but secured valuable points by winning the match narrowly, 64 shots to 60 and 3 points to 2. Alan Sparrow, with Gary Goode (lead), Ben Askew (2) and Derek Liles (3), went 0-7 down after 3 ends and was still 8-15 down after 12 ends; a good recovery took them to 21-21 after 20 ends but a dropped 3 saw them lose 21-24. Terry Dennis, with Len Thurston (lead), Stan Groom (2) and Ken Ramsbottom (3), was a disastrous 0-12 down after 5 ends and 5-19 down after 11 ends; a tremendous fightback ensued and this contained the final score to a 19-22 defeat. Bob Oatway, with Dick Newson (lead), Brian Cole (2) and Ken Lurcock (3), held the lead for the first 17 ends in a close and low scoring match, but Hingham pulled up to 14-14 after scoring 2 on end 18. A big surge by Connaught, with 5, 2 and 3 on the last three ends, then saw them to victory and the margin of 24-14 was sufficient to win the 2 points for overall shots. Connaught showed real fighting qualities throughout this match and will go to their last match at Weeting determined to clinch promotion. With games in hand, Hingham can still overtake Connaught mathematically. That is unlikely but Connaught must secure their own future by doing well at Weeting. One and a half points should be enough, but finish in style with a win!

Connaught completed a series of recent nerve-wracking matches in winning narrowly at Weeting on Wednesday 27th July by 52 shots to 49 and by 3 points to 2. The victory secured promotion to Central 2 next season because neither Hingham 'B' nor Thetford 'C' can catch them now. Ken Lurcock (skip in the absence of Bob Oatway on holiday), Dick Newson (lead), Brian Cole (2) and Alan Marshall (3), lost 16-24 in a match where a dropped 7 on end 16 was the crucial factor in an otherwise tight match. Terry Dennis (skip),Len Thurston (lead), Stan Groom (2) and Ken Ramsbottom (3), were disappointed to lose 13-14 after leading 12-9 on end 17 in another tight match; a dropped 3 on end 20 proved fatal. Alan Sparrow (skip), Ben Askew (lead), Gary Goode (2) and Derek Liles (3), went 6-0 up after two ends and never lost the lead in a convincing 23-11 win which ensured the vital 2 points for overall shots. Connaught 'B', after a series of bad seasons, started a recovery last year to finish mid-table and built on that this year to win promotion. Last year useful players such as Len Thurston, Gary Goode and Alan Marshall, came into the side and have now fully settled down. This year Ken Ramsbottom, with a good playing pedigree, has joined the Club and Bob Oatway, a useful skip at this level, has resumed playing after concentrating on Short Mat bowls in recent years; the very competitive Derek Liles has also applied himself to the outdoor game. The emergence of young Ben Askew is also a promising sign. Experienced players like Alan Sparrow and Terry Dennis have enjoyed better support as players such as Stan Groom himself and Ken Lurcock are not forced to play out of position. All in all a side has developed which, unlike recent Connaught 'B' sides, is not conditioned to losing; the determination shown in recent weeks after a bad defeat to Wicklewood is proof of that. Lastly, congratulations to Stan Groom; Stan has witnessed the bad seasons as captain but has pressed on to see the team through to this excellent season.

Redmill Trophy - a report on the annual 'A' v 'B' match appears at the end of this sectio ie after the 'B' team league table

Redmill Trophy

This annual match between the Men's 'A' and 'B' teams takes place after the league season is finished. The 'B' team has won the trophy only once, in 1998, and the fixture had particular significance this year given the tremendous playing records of both sides. The 'A' team is always on a hiding to nothing, with no praise if they win and the expected jeers if they ever lose! The match was played on Wednesday 10th August and the 'A' team confirmed what they see as the natural order of things by winning by 78 shots to 47 and by 2 rinks to 1 (a 4-1 points victory in league terms!). The match was played seriously but with both teams allowing reserve players to appear for half a game. On Rink 4 the established 'A' block of Paddy Castle (skip), Jim Ross (lead), John Winup (2) and Ivor Moore (3) had their comeuppance from Bob Oatway (skip), Dick Newson (lead), Brian Cole (2) and Ken Lurcock (3) and lost 20-21. Paddy Castle's rink was always behind until going into a 15-13 lead and then a 16-13 lead after 15 ends. The expected collapse did not ensue and Bob Oatway's men exerted more pressure to take a 20-16 lead and to hang on for a one shot victory. In truth they played very well throughout and even the appearance of Mike Parsons in place of Paddy Castle and a reshuffle of 'A' team playing order did not ruffle them. On Rink 5 Denny Gardiner (skip). Lee Fallows (lead), Keith Beavers (2) and Barry Ayton (3) had far too much in the tank for Alan Sparrow (skip), Alan Marshall (lead), Gary Goode (2) and Derek Liles (3); Denny's block amassed a 28-5 lead after 15 ends and won 33-15 after the 'B' four came back a little. The 'B' block simply did not play to ability in the face of pressure and "will be disappointed" with their showing. On Rink 6 Bill Adcock (skip), Keith Banks (lead), Russell Hales (2) and Ray Wells had a convincing victory by 25-11 over Terry Dennis (skip), Len Thurston (lead), Stan Groom (2) and Ken Ramsbottom (3); again experience and pressure showed the way. All in all this match, despite the good showing from Bob Oatway and colleagues, showed the 'B' side what to expect in a higher division next season!

National Top Club Competition

Connaught and Thetford have been drawn against each other yet once more in the first County round and meet at Connaught on Thursday 5th May, 6.30pm start. At home

Match Report

At home to Thetford on Thursday 5th May, Connaught won three of the five categories and also came out winners by 100-84 on overall shots. It has to be said that the Connaught side, Captain Mike Parsons included, was blissfully unaware until afterwards that “winning most categories” would determine which club won! To the bitter end the Connaught players were calculating overall shots in feverish mental activity.

In the 2-wood Singles Keith Banks held his own against J Gardner but just lost 11-14; Keith won 11 of the 21 ends, all by one shot, but his opponent secured several two shot wins. In the 4-wood Singles Jim Ross had a tight struggle against A Byford and was 16-16 after 17 ends; his opponent then played very well and pulled away to win 21-16. Connaught therefore had lost the first two categories to be decided. In the 3-wood Triples against P Scott’s block Paddy Castle, John Winup and Ivor Moore never lost the lead but at only 10-9 after 6 ends and 19-18 after 14 ends were in danger of slipping. Good team play on the last four ends brought them 11 shots and a win by 30-18. 2-1 overall to Thetford. In the 2-wood Fours Bill Adcock, with Darren Thurston, Russell Hales and Denny Gardiner, likewise never lost the lead against M Struthers’ Four and good, solid play brought them victory 23-13. 2-2 overall. In the 4-wood Pairs Mike Parsons and Ray Wells were 11-16 down after 17 ends but a storming finish in a high quality match against G Thorpe and T Bingham secured a win by 20-18. 3-2 to Connaught (the overall shots lead would have come into it had the match finished eg 2-2 with one category tied).

This was a good win for Connaught in wet conditions against a Thetford side which usually gets the better of their Attleborough neighbours. The two teams and their supporters had a good sociable evening afterwards. Connaught will play Acle, a Premier League side, at home on Thursday 19th May in the second round. The form book must be against Connaught but the home side, remembering the Fermoy win against North Walsham, will be trying very hard.

The form book was right on this occasion and Connaught lost all five categories against a quite youthful Acle side on Thursday 19th May. In the 2-Wood Singles Keith Banks had a torrid time against A Siely in losing 5-25; the Acle player, who praised the green afterwards, drew in mercilessly and took Keith out at will. In the 4-Wood Singles Jim Ross put up a good fight against G Tubbly before succumbing 14-21 but gave things away on occasion. In the 4-Wood Pairs Ray Wells and Mike Parsons were 1-11 down after 6 ends and 3-14 down after 9 ends; thereafter, as Ray got into the match, Connaught recovered to a more respectable 14-22 at the end. In the 3-Wood Triples, Paddy Castle, John Winup and Ivor Moore led for quite a time and were playing well still to be in the match at 13-16 after16 ends; a dropped 3 and 2 then made the final margin 13-21, perhaps slightly flattering to Acle on the night. In the 2-Wood Fours, Bill Adcock, Darren Thurston, Russell Hales and Denny Gardiner lost 9-18 in a match where, as hard as Connaught fought, Acle had too much all-round quality. In particular the England U-25 and Norfolk U-25 skip, Darren Rowsell, could produce the pressure shot at will. "Beaten, but not disgraced" has to be the verdict and it is interesting and revealing for Connaught to play teams like this. On a wider front, Acle described later how they have spent over 12 years building a relationship with their local High School and how this is now producing a flow of younger players of both sexes. Connaught have started on a similar path but there is a long, long way to go.

Fermoy Cup

Connaught are fielding two teams in this competition, in which one Four plays at home and the other away on the same evening against the same club, and these play in the Preliminary Round on Thursday 12th May, 6.30pm start. Connaught 'A' have drawn extremely tough opponents from the North Walsham club and Connaught 'B' will have a difficult task against near neighbours Hingham.

In the event Connaught had two tremendous wins against sides well above them in the County League structure. Connaught 'A' beat Premier League North Walsham 33-31 on overall shots. The Four playing at home (Mike Parsons, Russell Hales, Denny Gardiner and Bill Adcock) saw a 15-7 lead after 16 ends reduced to 16-15 after 20 ends but held out to win 17-15. The away Four (Jim Ross, John Winup, Ivor Moore and Paddy Castle) went into a 10-3 lead after 8 ends but drifted to 12-15 down after 16 ends; Connaught dug in, came back well and drew the match 16-16. Connaught 'B' beat Hingham 41-37 in another major surprise. The Four playing at home (George Barber, Alan Marshall, Ken Lurcock and Ken Ramsbottom) dropped a 3 on the last end to lose 17-18. The away Four (Len Thurston, Stan Groom, Alan Sparrow and Terry Dennis) built up a healthy 15-2 lead, retreated a little but held on to win 24-19. An extraordinary and well-celebrated evening.

The next Fermoy round was played on Thursday 2nd June. Connaught 'A' had drawn Fleggburgh Private, who play in East Zone 2 (equivalent to Connaught's position in South Zone) and who are also a strong Federation club. Connaught won by 8 shots overall, 45 to 37, in a very tight and hard-fought match. The home rink of Bill Adcock (skip), Keith Banks (lead), Russell Hales and Denny Gardiner had a real struggle, being 4-10 down at one point before getting a 6 to be 10-10 after end 10. 10-15 down and things were looking bleak, but the block pulled through to win the last 8 ends and secure a victory by 23-18. The away block of Paddy Castle (skip), Jim Ross (lead), John Winup and Ivor Moore played on a rink with some quirks and funny runs; bowling had to be without frills. 4-7 down after 6 ends and with Fleggburgh holding five shots very close to the jack on end 7, Paddy Castle drew an amazing long range backhand with his last shot to take the end. Nip and tuck followed and the score progressed to 18-18 after 19 ends. On end 20, Fleggburgh were holding 4 when the skips went to bowl but Connaught had crucial back woods in place; Paddy had to drive hard on his forehand, failing with his first shot but shattering Fleggburgh with his second and taking the jack through for a Connaught 4. Connaught lost the last end by one shot but won the match 22-19. Everybody did well but the honours go to Ivor and Paddy for crucial shots under severe pressure. Connaught 'B' played Hunstanton 'A', a side currently topping West Zone 1 and two divisions ahead of their opponents. Full details will be posted when available, but Connaught lost by something like 7 shots overall, 3 shots away and 4 at home; this represents a highly creditable performance against strong opposition. Another good evening for the club; if all goes by the form book (not guaranteed in this competition!), Connaught 'A' will be playing Norfolk BC 'A' in the next round.

Norfolk Bowling Club proved a step too far on Thursday 16th June as the two Fours lost overall by 5 shots. Away from home, Paddy Castle, Jim Ross, John Winup and Ivor Moore could not repeat previous success as they went down 14 shots to 20. At 2-17 down after dropping a disastrous 5 on end 11, the Connaught Four seemed totally doomed but avoided humiliation as they narrowed the gap to the final 14-20. Communication between 3 and skip was a hit and miss affair on occasion, particularly with the dropped 5, and perhaps some conceded shots should have been measured. Whilst everybody played well for most of the time, some of the recent cohesion was missing and Connaught were left feeling they had missed an opportunity. At home, Bill Adcock, Mike Parsons, Russell Hales and Denny Gardiner fought intensely hard, overturning a good Norfolk BC lead to come through by one shot. It is some consolation to have taken a Premier Zone side so close after having beaten another one (North Walsham) in the first round; in one-0ff situations at least Connaught can live with these sides.

Bales Cup

Connaught were drawn away against Alldiss Park from Dereham in the first round on Thursday 26th May, 6.30pm start, and lost the match by 61-63 on the overall shots scoring system. Paddy Castle's rink won 26-10, Bill Adcock's lost 19-21 and Denny Gardiner's lost 16-32. In the old soccer cliché, Connaught "will be feeling disappointed" at this result against a side of similar status but with fewer playing resources. But Alldiss Park were good value for their win and good luck to them in the next round.

County Championships

Individuals from the Club enter the Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours Championships.

On Monday 25th April a Four comprising Jim Ross, John Winup, Ivor Moore and Paddy Castle played at Wymondham Dell against a Four led by John Ottaway and skipped by Bob Thacker. The Connaught Four lost 10-19 to better players but forced their opponents to bring out the shots. They in fact won 10 of the 20 ends played but each by only one shot; the Dell Four managed a few 2s and one 3, a reflection of greater accuracy and consistency.

On Friday 29th April, a Triple comprising John Winup, Lee Fallows and Bill Adcock played at home in the Preliminary Round against a Wortwell Triple led by Rob Hadenham. On paper this should have been an even match but proved anything but! Connaught conceded after 16 of the 18 ends, 29 shots to 10 adrift, and had received a bad thrashing. John played adequately at lead but came second to the talented Rob Hadenham and Lee, on his own admission, had one of those games which is best 'out of the system' and put to one side! No matter how hard he tried, he simply could not find a length and was very short on the long jacks. Bill, often 4 or 5 down and blocked by short woods, had an impossible task. The Wortwell Triple played very well indeed - let us take nothing from them.

On Friday 6th May at home a Triple comprising Jim Ross, Ivor Moore and Paddy Castle beat a Thetford Triple led by Bill Massingham. Connaught pulled away over the last few ends, after an initially tight struggle, and won fairly convincingly. Reports from spectators indicate that Jim and Paddy had very good games but that Ivor continued to bowl too many short woods for a player of his ability.

On Friday 13th May the same Triple travelled to Thetford for a second round match against a block skipped by Malcolm Struthers. An early lead of 5-0 was demolished and Connaught were 5-16 down after 11 ends but the remaining 10 ends were all won on long jacks to secure an unlikely 17-16 victory. Jim rediscovered much of his accuracy at lead and Ivor, although still tending to bowl short in conditions challenging his technique, had some key woods towards the close. Paddy had a superlative game throughout and is showing what a class player he is.

On Sunday 15th May Russell Hales and Denny Gardiner travelled to Diss to play a first round match in the Over 55 Men's Pairs. Failing to master a very fast green they went down 10-29 in a match best removed from the memory!

On Friday 20th May Mike Parsons (skip) and John Winup played a first round Pairs match against two young players, Craig Hadley and Andy Pack, from Harling Rec. This proved a gripping contest with good quality bowling from everybody and with the score very close throughout. 16-13 up after 19 ends and 16-15 after 20, Connaught secured a 3 on end 21, thanks to some calm and determined bowling from Mike, to win 19-15. A trip to Wymondham Dell awaits them on Friday 3rd June. Paddy Castle and Jim Ross received a bye into the second round and likewise will play at Wymondham Dell. Both pairs got to the 5th end at the Dell when the heavens opened: Mike and John were leading 10-1 and Paddy and Jim were down 5-9. The matches were resumed on Monday 6th June, with Bill Adcock substituting for Jim (who had to play John Ottaway in the Singles!). After an initial wobble, when their opponents recovered to 9-11, Mike and John played very well to run out winners 22-9 and face yet another Wymondham Dell pair away on Friday 10th June. Paddy and Bill played well to take the lead at one time but eventually succumbed by 9 shots. Jim lost in the region of 4-21 in a match showing the difference between a good club player and a younger county and international player. On 10th June Mike and John played their third round match at the Dell against Kevin Guy and partner, an all-county pairing. The match was extremely close until the last two ends. The Connaught pair went 3-8 down after 6 ends but then had a good run to lead 14-10 after 14 ends. A dropped 4 on the next end, as Kevin Guy ruined a Connaught holding position, brought the scores level and the Dell led 16-15 after 18 ends. Justifiable risk taking led to a dropped 3 on end 19 and, disastrously, a dropped 6 on end 20 at which point the match was conceded 15-25. The Connaught pair did not really subside as the score suggests but kept with good opponents all the way; Kevin Guy had to keep the Dell in the match during the middle phases with intense pressure shots. All in all the Connaught pairing felt quite pleased at proving they could live with players used to regular pressure bowling.

Hansell's Solicitors Norfolk EBA League Trophy

This competition is for the Division 2 and Division 3 zonal winners in the Men's EBA County League and is played on a knock-out basis. Nine clubs were eligible this year but Ashill dropped out to leave 8 contesting the quarter-finals. Connaught 'A', as winners of South 2, were drawn against Downham Conservatives, winners of West 3. The match was to be played on neutral territory at Honingham on Wednesday 17th August; Upwell would be playing Bradwell on the adjoining rinks. Connaught won their match fairly comfortably, taking all three rinks with an overall shots margin of 73-35. Paddy Castle, with Jim Ross (lead), John Winup (2) and Ivor Moore (3), won by 26-11 and was always in the lead from the first end. Jim played steadily and with John finding the green very well Downham were usually playing catch-up at 3 and skip; Ivor had a patchy game but Paddy did what was necessary. Denny Gardiner, with Lee Fallows, Darren Thurston and Mike Parsons, dropped some early shots but came back well for a solid 22-11 win. Bill Adcock, with Bim Wood, Keith Banks and Russell Hales, likewise dropped early shots but exerted pressure well to win 25-13 against opponents who never coped with the wide draw. In general Connaught proved too experienced for very sporting opponents; both sides were missing regular players through holidays etc but clearly Connaught also had more depth.

Upwell beat Bradwell more narrowly in the match next door and in the other quarter-finals, played elsewhere, Wicklewood and Suffield Park (from Sheringham) came through. Wicklewood in fact lost to Fleggburgh Private but the winners then said they could not field a team for the semi-finals/final day.

Connaught will play Wicklewood in one semi-final and Upfield meet Suffield Park in the other; the matches will be played at Thorpe Rec on Saturday 20th August at 10.00am. The final will take place at the same venue at 2.00pm on the same day. Wicklewood will not be easy opposition and Connaught have to divide their strength between this match and finding six men for the Invitation Shield match against Shotford on the same day. The problem is more severe because Connaught cannot select for the Invitation Shield side anybody who played in the ad hoc 2nd team which lost to Diss in the Shield. Selections have been made and Connaught just have to get on with it. Another test of strength in depth!

Mike Parsons juggled playing resources carefully and Connaught managed to turn out a strong side on 20th August; Barry Ayton and Ray Wells had to play immediately on return from holiday and Bim Wood was in reserve. The match against near neighbours Wicklewood was expected to be tough, with Wicklewood twice having trounced Connaught 'B' in winning Central 3, and thus it proved. Bill Adcock, with Keith Banks, Mike Parsons and Ray Wells, lost 14-18 to a Wicklewood four whose skip had an inspired match to take out Connaught positions or to draw in time and time again. Paddy Castle, with Darren Thurston, John Winup and Jim Ross in a slightly revamped block, won a tough struggle by the ultimately good score of 26-17. Darren did not really find pace and width but John was steady and Jim excellent throughout; as ever Paddy had the knack of producing a real pressure shot as when he turned a 5 down into a 2 up. Denny Gardiner, with Lee Fallows, Keith Beavers and Barry Ayton, won 21-16 in a match where Connaught had to dig deep to remain ahead of determined opponents. 61-51 to Connaught but it was not easy; the afternoon final would be against Upwell who beat Suffield Park in another close match.

In the final Connaught won 1 rink, drew 1 and lost 1, but won 67-48 on overall shots against sporting opponents in Upwell. Connaught were indebted to Denny Gardiner's rink, in which all four players performed brilliantly in a massive win by 31-6. Denny himself can seldom have played better in his long career. Knowing the other blocks were struggling a little, Denny and his troops maintained concentration and piled on the shots throughout. The other blocks fought hard and contained the scores. Bill Adcock's rink scored a 4 on the last end to draw 18-18 and Paddy Castle's lost by 18-24. Paddy was holding 3 for a 21-21 draw but the opposing skip converted that to 3 down after a controlled drive with the last shot of the match. The overall impression of this competition from quarter-finals onwards is that Connaught had slightly more depth than the other sides; the proof of that is in the narrowness of individual block defeats and in the ability to get well on top of a weaker block. With a magnificent trophy and £100 in prize money, Connaught had a fitting end to a tremendous season. Thanks are due to the County Association for efficient and friendly organisation and to the Thorpe Rec club for hosting at very short notice. The green played very well and Thorpe Rec laid on some splendid food and a very hospitable bar.

LADIES OUTDOOR BOWLS (EXTERNAL LEAGUES & COMPETITIONS) 2005

The Ladies' teams in recent years have punched above their weight compared with Connaught's Men's teams. Their main competition is the very tough Breckland League, in which Connaught usually slug it out with Wymondham Dell and Thetford. Sylvia Parsons is Captain in 2005 and has a keen squad of 15 players from whom to choose 9 for any one match. In the Top Club competition Connaught were narrowly beaten by Acle in the 2004 Norfolk final and have drawn the same opponents, away, in this year's first round. Connaught Ladies will be trying to repeat last year's Coronation Triples success when Chris Taylor, Vera Moore and Lynn Makings won this county-wide competition. Connaught also play a series of friendly matches against local clubs on Wednesday afternoons.

Breckland League

Connaught Ladies were in buoyant mood after the success of their Spring Fair on Saturday 7th May, which raised over £500 for their funds with the prospect of more to come as all the "remnants" are being taken to a Car Boot sale. The mood was tempered a bit after a defeat at Watton on Monday 9th May in the first league match of the season. The ladies lost to a useful Watton side by 50 shots to 53 and 2 points to 6. Sylvia Parsons had chosen a side likely to cope with a slow and heavy green but Watton overall played better on it. Sylvia's own triple, Elaine Oatway and Hazell Banks being the other members, won the first end but afterwards fell behind to be 4-16 after 10 ends; they achieved some equality after that to finish 11-22. Chris Taylor, with Mary Fallows and Vera Moore, was always behind but at 12-15 after 11 ends and 15-18 after 15 ends had a glimmer of hope; however, Watton pulled further ahead to win 24-15. Sheila Bragg's triple, with Vera Barber and Heather Winup the other players, had a good game and never surrendered the lead to win 24-7; a 6 on end 4 gave them an early margin and they managed to keep up the pressure. The narrow overall shots defeat and loss of 2 points shows the importance in league bowls of fighting for every shot. Early days and everything to play for still.

At home to Ashill on Monday 16th May, again in cold, wet weather, Connaught achieved their first win by 80 shots to 38 and 6 points to 2. Sylvia Parsons, with new partners in Alison Rush and Moira Eades, won easily by 31 shots to 9 in a match where their opponents never really threatened. Sheila Bragg, with Vera Barber and Heather Winup, had a huge win by 37-4 reflecting in part that the opposition had 2 players only due to a very late scratching; 9 bowls to 6 makes for an unsatisfactory game but Connaught did the right thing in never relaxing. Chris Taylor, with Mary Fallows and Vera Moore, lost 12-25 to opponents who played very well.

Connaught beat Swaffham at home on Monday 23rd May by 61 shots to 31 and 8 points to 0. Sylvia Parsons skipped Ann Castle (lead) and Vera Moore (2) to a 16-7 victory. In her first league match this season, Ann took a few ends to find the green but was then steadiness itself as the triple eased away after a slow start. Sheila Bragg, Vera Barber (lead) and Heather Winup (2) had a sound 22-7 victory in a match where their ability to set and play the long jack determined the outcome. Chris Taylor, rediscovering some form after a shaky start to the season, skipped Hazel Banks (lead) and Carol Tipton (2) to a 23-17 win. Blessed with a surfeit of leads but lacking a little fire power, Sylvia is not finding block selection easy but Carol's return from holiday should help considerably.

Connaught had a good result at home to Wymondham Dell on Monday 6th June, winning by 61 shots to 44 and by 6 points to 2. Sylvia Parsons (skip), Ann Castle and Vera Moore won 19-12. Sheila Bragg (skip), Vera Barber and Heather Winup won 29-14 and Chris Taylor (skip), Hazel Banks and Carol Tipton lost 13-18. The side is taking shape, but perhaps needs another 2 and another skip for more options and greater depth.

Connaught had a disappointing reverse at Mudford on Monday 13th June, going down by 39 shots to 56 and by 2 points to 6. The normally very reliable block of Sheila Bragg (skip), Vera Barber (lead) and Heather Winup lost for the first time by 10-21 in a match where, for once, Sheila's opposite number got the better of her; Vera and Heather played steadily but not well enough to give Sheila the advantage she badly needed on the night. Chris Taylor (skip), Mary Fallows (lead) and Vera Moore lost by 11-18 and seem to be struggling to make an impact this season. Sylvia Parsons (skip), Ann Castle (lead) and Carol Beavers just edged home 18-17 in a very close match. Without decrying Mundford, who have some useful players and well deserved their win, Connaught realise that these matches must be won by a side with title aspirations.

At home to Thetford on Monday 20th June, Connaught won by 2 rinks to 1 but lost on overall shots 46-48 and therefore the match was drawn 4-4. Chris Taylor, with Mary Fallows and Vera Moore, had a good 15-13 win against P Struthers' block. Sheila Bragg, with Vera Barber and Heather Winup, recovered from the Mundham defeat to beat V Gibson 17-11. Sylvia Parsons, with two settled blocks but struggling to find the right combination in her own block, selected Alison Rush and Hazel Banks as lead and 2 but the combination simply did not work and Connaught went down 14-24. Carol Tipton, surely an obvious choice at 2, has been unavailable for much of the season and her return to regular play would help considerably.

Connaught's home match against Watton on Monday 4th July was abandoned after 4 ends owing to heavy rain and the match will have to be replayed.

Away to Ashill on Monday 11th July, Connaught won by 50 shots to 42 and by 6 points to 2. Sylvia Parsons, with Hazel Banks and Carol Tipton, won comfortably by 18-8 and seems to have a more settled combination. Sheila Bragg, with Vera Barber and Heather Winup, won by 20-15; Vera had a particularly good game on a rink with some "runs" which troubled Sheila and Heather on occasion. Chris Taylor, with Mary Fallows and Vera Moore, lost 12-19.

Connaught travelled to Swaffham on Monday 18th July, where they lost by 2 rinks to 1 but won on overall shots to secure a 4-4 draw. Sylvia Parsons, with Hazel Banks and Carol Tipton, just lost by 14-15 in a match where Hazel was a bit erratic on the night. Vera Moore went to skip and Chris Taylor to 2, with Mary Fallows remaining as lead, in an effort to change the fortunes of a block not playing to potential. Against a strong Swaffham block the changes nearly came off as everybody played well but Connaught again had a narrow defeat, by 15 shots to 17. The settled block of Sheila Bragg, with Vera Barber and Heather Winup, dominated their opponents from the start with an 8 on end 1 and ran out winners by 30-13, a margin which ensured the 2 points for winning on overall shots. Connaught are having an inconsistent but not disastrous season and should remain in third position despite having to play both Thetford and Wymondham away in the run in.

Connaught recorded a good victory away to Wymondham Dell on Monday 25th July, winning by 2 rinks to 1 and drawing 42-42 on shots to be 5-3 ahead on points. Chris Taylor, back to skip and recovering form, led Mary Fallows (lead) and Vera Moore (2) to a sound win by 16-11; Vera had a very good game, particularly in the crucial closing stages. Sylvia Parsons (skip), Hazel Banks (lead) and Carol Tipton (2) held on well to win 16-14. Sheila Bragg (skip), Vera Barber (lead) and Heather Winup (2) could not maintain the good form of recent weeks and went down 10-17 in a match where they did not find the pace of the green and tended to bowl too heavily. One strange occurrence in the Chris Taylor match was the decision by the opposing skip not to bowl the last shot of the match; she mistakenly thought that the match was already tied and that the last shot was too risky! It does pay in bowls matches to be sure of the facts at the end.

Connaught beat Watton at home on Wednesday 3rd August by 54 shots to 48 and by 6 points to 2; this was a rearranged match after the rain-abandoned match on 4th July. Sheila Bragg (skip), Vera Barber and Heather Winup had a horrendous match against opponents who played very well to outbowl them throughout; Connaught lost 8-27 and did not help themselves with untidy play at lead and 2 and a rather resigned display from a perhaps overbowled Sheila. This block has lost some momentum recently after playing well for much of the season. Sylvia Parsons (skip), Hazel Banks and Carol Tipton had one of those nailbiting matches to lose an early lead and to be only 11-10 ahead after 15 ends. Two successive 4s eased the pressure and Connaught ran out winners by 19-11. With Hazel not having a good match, the key was good displays from Carol and Sylvia particularly at pressure points in the last three ends. Chris Taylor (skip), Mary Fallows, and Vera Moore were in an initially very tight match to be 5-8 down after 10 ends and 8-9 down after 12 ends. Everything then changed as Connaught amassed 19 shots in the next five ends, including a 6 on end 16, and won the match 27-10. This block has come good at the same time as Sheila Bragg's has dropped back. Connaught's season is heading towards a third place finish; their targets must be to avenge the defeat by Mundford and to take on Thetford in the last match. With two wins against Wymondham Dell and a draw against Thetford so far, Connaught have done well against the other leading sides.

It was not to be at Thetford on Monday 8th August as Connaught went down by 48 shots to 51 and by 2 points to 6. Chris Taylor, with Mary Fallows and Vera Moore, was 0-5 down after four ends but always kept in touch and the match was evenly-poised at 12-12 after 14 ends. Thetford did better in the home straight, however, and emerged as winners by 18-13. Sheila Bragg, with Heather Winup (moved to lead) and Vera Barber, shared the opening exchanges but fell behind to 7-15 after 12 ends. A good recovery took them to 14-16 after 17 ends but a dropped 3 on end 18 meant a 14-18 defeat. Heather and Vera were steady throughout, although even they should have got more in, but on her own admission Sheila had a bad game. Particularly on the forehand side she never found the green, bowling too narrowly, and tended to give shots away from holding positions. Against a strong Thetford triple Sylvia Parsons, with Hazel Banks and Carol Tipton, had a storming start and led 15-3 after 8 ends. Thetford were always going to come back in this high quality match but Connaught maintained the edge to lead 21-8 after 15 ends; seven dropped shots over the last three ends then reduced the margin to 21-15. The three Connaught players still did well against this opposition. Over the last three ends in the three matches Connaught went down 5-13 on shots and this turned a seemingly safe 4-4 scoreline into the disappointing 2-6 defeat.

On Monday 22nd August Connaught finished their season with a 39-21, 8 points to 0, victory at home to Mundford in a postponed match; play was reduced 12 ends by rain on a miserable evening. Carol Tipton, substituting for Chris Taylor, skipped Mary Fallows and Vera Moore to a 9-8 victory. Sheila Bragg, with Vera Barber and Heather Winup back to their usual positions, put a stop to the recent bad run and won 11-6. Sylvia Parsons, with Diana Adcock and Hazel Banks, won 19-7 and achieved a hot shot on one end. Diana, brought in for her first match of the season but a very experienced lead, had an excellent game. Connaught finish third to Thetford and Wymondham Dell after another good season. Connaught in fact beat the Dell twice and ran Thetford extremely close in the two matches between the clubs. On song and at full strength Connaught could match anybody, but people cannot play at 100% for every match in a very busy season and reserve players generally did not cope at this level.

National Top Club Competition

Connaught travelled to Acle on Saturday 4th June for a first round match which was a replay of last year's county final. Sadly, Connaught were not up to last year's form and lost by over 50 shots compared with 4 last year; they were simply outgunned by a better and more powerful side. The one bright spot was Sheila Bragg's win in the singles, but even here Sheila lost a big early lead to scramble through by one point.

Coronation Triples

Last season Chris Taylor (skip), Lynn Makings and Vera Moore made club history (and the Honours Board!) by winning this prestigious county-wide competition. Fairy tales do not happen twice and this year the three ladies went down quite heavily in the first round away to a Thetford triple. In fact the triple was slightly different; Lynn was injured and Sylvia Parsons took her place.

Friendly Matches

Nine ladies travelled to Thetford on Friday 13th May to play triples on one of those bitterly cold evenings heralding the start of the season. Connaught won one triple and lost two, going down 42-55 on shots. Both clubs mainly fielded players who would not be Breckland League regulars. The ladies have continued to play a variety of friendlies throughout the season, always fielding players who do not play team bowls regularly. Very occasionally this policy, surely the right one, has led to a mismatch and Connaught have been hammered. Usually, however, the matches have been enjoyable encounters for both sides.

County Championships

A Four comprising Joyce Hazell, Sylvia Parsons, Vera Moore and Chris Taylor travelled to Diss on Friday 13th May and beat by 4 shots a strong home block, skipped by Mary Johnson, which had reached the National Finals in 2004. This was a surprise but deserved win in which Vera Moore had a particularly good game. A home match in the second round against a Wymondham Dell Four is an intriguing prospect. And so it proved on Friday 20th May when the same Four, but with Sylvia skipping and Chris playing at 2, just won against strong opponents by a single shot, secured on the last end. A win at home aginst Great Yarmouth on Friday 27th May (details to follow) put Connaught in the quarter final, but a good run came to an end at home on Friday 3rd June when a strong four from County Arts beat Sylvia's block by 8 shots.

On Thursday 19th May Vera Moore and Chris Taylor (skip) travelled to Wymondham Dell in the Pairs and won their "unbadged" match by 24-15 against J Waddingham and G Reeve. This was a simple story of Connaught putting in the long jack whenever possible. Vera and Chris played their next match at home on Wednesday 25th May against opposition from The Avenues, a Norwich-based all-female club. Vera and Chris won 23-11 after being behind at the half-way point; Vera confessed to bowling too heavily as their opponents set shortish jacks. Once Connaught were able to set the long jack, which their opponents found very difficult, the match turned dramatically. Chris and Vera met their match at Feltwell in sweltering conditions on Thursday 23rd June and went down very heavily in a match the details of which have not been revealed!

Sheila Bragg played in the first round of the "Champion of Champions" competition on Friday 20th May at home against an opponent from Browston Hall. Sheila won the first set of 9 ends very comfortably and was leading 6-1 after 4 ends of the second set but Sylvia, her opponent, then came back very strongly to take the second set as Sheila sometimes fired a little desperately. The best of three ends decider went to the wire, with Sheila just managing to take the third and final end by one shot. Sheila has since won two subsequent matches, both at home and both again going to a "tie-break". In her second round match Sheila beat an opponent from King's Lynn and in the third round beat well-known county player Pam Barrett-Ward from Diss. Players like Sheila and Sylvia Parsons, choosing to play mainly at club level, remain unknown on the circuit but do have the ability to surprise opponents regularly playing at a higher level. Sheila now proceeds to the county semi-finals at the Carter Centre. Alas, Sheila's run came to an end on Wednesday 13th July as she lost to an opponent from the Downham Ex-Services Club; the match was close with Sheila being 5-5 after 8 ends in each of the 9-end sets but on this occasion she lost the last ends. Sheila had a tremendous run in this competition and it was a pity that only four Club members supported her at this last stage.

Sheila Bragg and Hazel Banks had battled through two rounds of the Over-55 Pairs but played carelessly away to a Swaffham pair on Wednesday 29th June. 17-11 ahead after 16 ends, they faded away to drop 7 shots over the last five ends to lose by 17-18. Credit to the Swaffham players, but Sheila and Hazel had a real chance in this competition and in soccer parlance will be "feeling disappointed".

MIXED OUTDOOR BOWLS (EXTERNAL LEAGUES & COMPETITIONS) 2005

For the first time Connaught are fielding four sides in this very popular competition and each side is playing in a different division. Each match comprises three triples and each triple must contain one woman and two men or vice versa. Russell Hales continues as Captain overall and will lead Connaught'A' in Division 1. Alan Sparrow succeeds Vera Moore as Captain of Connaught 'B' who will play in Division 2. Heather Winup again captains Connaught 'C' who have moved up to play in Division 3. Alan Marshall, in only his second season at the Club, bravely takes on the captaincy of the new Connaught 'D' team, who will play in Division 4. Last season saw over-large squads for the three teams. This year each team has 12-13 players, which means regular play for everybody. All captains are hoping that other Club players, not opting for selection, will help out if emergencies arise.

Connaught 'A' played their first match at home to Bradenham 'A' on Tuesday 17th May and were pleased to win by 63 shots to 40 and by 8 points to 0. Bill Adcock, with Diana Adcock and Bim Wood, won by 22-8 and at one point was 18-1 ahead. Bill personally had a splendid game and was very well supported by Diana at lead and Bim at 2 (welcome back to Diana and thank you, Bim, for stepping in as reserve). Sheila Bragg, with Ann Westwood (thank you, Ann, for stepping in) and Russell Hales, won 22-17 after an extraordinary match. 16-1 up after 6 ends, Connaught found themselves at 16-16 after 13 ends! Put simply, Bradenham could not play the short jack and Connaught could not play the long jack; Connaught just managed to rescue themselves. In a high quality match Denny Gardiner, with Mike Parsons and Sylvia Parsons, recovered from 2-7 down to win by 19-15 (a dropped 4 on the last end in fact made the margin smaller than it might have been. Facing a very good lead, Mike Parsons eventually got on top and this made a difference. A good start overall, particularly with some regular squad members ill or on holiday.

Connaught continued the good start with a win away to Swaffham Town 'A' by 56 shots to 49 and 7 points to 1. Denny Gardiner, skipping Hazel Banks (lead) and Keith Beavers was 5-0 ahead after the first end and 9-10 down after 9 ends. Connaught edged to a 16-15 lead after 17 ends and then secured a 2 for a win by 18-15. Sheila Bragg, skipping Carol Tipton (lead) and Russell Hales, was in a similar ding-dong, 6-1 up after five ends, 7-8 down at end 10 and 14-13 ahead at end 17. Sheila's triple got a 3 on the last end to win by 17-13. Ray Wells, skipping Mike Parsons (lead) and Sylvia Parsons, was 8-1 up after 3 ends and 8-11 down after dropping six shots on end 6. A good recovery took Ray's triple to a 20-13 lead after 14 ends, but a dropped 5 on end 15 heralded a collapse to 20-21 down after 17 ends; Ray then secured a single shot to draw a topsy-turvy match 21-21. A good feature in this very close match was Connaught's ability to win three pressure last ends.

Connaught had another useful win, at home to Ashill 'A' on Tuesday 7th June, by 52 shots to 37 and by 6 points to 2. The match was much closer than the actual score suggests. Sheila Bragg, with Derek Liles and Carol Tipton, had a difficult first half struggle and were 9-11 down after 10 ends; thereafter they drew away to win 18-12. Denny Gardiner, with Carol Beavers and Keith Beavers, was in a similar match; the score was 6-6 after 11 ends, very tight indeed, but Connaught exerted pressure to win by 18-8. Ray Wells (skip), Keith Banks and Sylvia Parsons were being well beaten by a strong Ashill triple and were 5-15 down after 15 ends; Connaught then secured a 5 followed by a 6 to be 16-15 up after 17 ends! The recovery was halted on the last end, with Ashill getting a 2 to win 17-16. Overall this was anybody's match after 9 ends but Connaught simply lasted the pace better.

Connaught travelled to Thetford on Tuesday 14th June and beat the home club's 'C' side by 69 shots to 38 and by 8 points to 0. Thetford do very well to field three sides in Division 1 of the Ashill, but the 'C' side had a struggle on the night. Bill Adcock, with Diana Adcock and Mike Parsons, did find himself in a close match against J Grimmond and after dropping a 6 and a 2 was 10-13 down after 11 ends; Connaught recovered to win 20-16. Denny Gardiner, skipping Keith Beavers and Sylvia Parsons, won comfortably by 25-10 and Sheila Bragg, skipping Carol Beavers and Russell Hales, led throughout to win 24-12.

Connaught moved up a level against Thetford on Tuesday 21st June and played the 'B' side at home, winning by 54 shots to 36 and by 6 points to 2. Ray Wells, with Mike Parsons and Sylvia Parson, had a hard fight against M Struthers; 11-13 down after 14 ends Connaught won the last 4 ends each by one shot to come through by 15-13. Denny Gardiner, with Carol Beavers and Keith Beavers, lost an extraordinary match against P Struthers; 16-12 up after 16 ends and 16-14 up after 17 ends, Connaught dropped a 5 on the last end to a brilliant shot from the Thetford skip to lose 16-19. Sheila Bragg, with Diana Adcock and Russell Hales, had a massive 23 shots to 4 win against M Rutter. Connaught now climb further up the Thetford ladder with an away match against the 'A' side on 28th June!

Connaught completed three successive wins against Thetford sides with a comprehensive 62 shots to 40 and 7 poinnts to 1 win away to Thetford 'A' on Tuesday 28th June. Sheila Bragg, with Keith Beavers and Russell Hales, was in a close match throughout but a 4 on end 17 to secure a 20-18 lead gave Connaught a good chance of victory; Thetford got a 2 on the last end, however, and the match was drawn 20-20. Bill Adcock, with Diana Adcock and Keith Banks, was in another close match with Connaught 13-14 down after 16 ends; a 3 and a 2 on the last two ends took them through to a win by 18-14. Ray Wells, with Mike Parsons and Sylvia Parsons, raced away to lead 11-0 after 7 ends. Thetford won six of the remaining ends but each by one shot only, whilst Connaught continued to win ends quite heavily; the final score was 24-6. With half the fixtures completed, Connaught have a 100% record and one assumes a healthy lead at the top of the table. However, there will be no complacency as the return fixtures are played. Connaught appear to have been helped by the Thetford decision to spread the playing strength across their three sides in Division 1 rather than to select a strong 'A' side and allow the 'B' and 'C' sides to find a natural level.

Away to Bradenham 'A' on Tuesday 5th July, Connaught won a match shortened by rain to 12 ends by 40 shots to 37 and by 6 points to 2. Ray Wells, with Hazel Banks and Sylvia Parsons, had a torrid time aginst Bradenham's strongest block and went down 4-19. Sheila Bragg, with Carol Beavers and Russell Hales, was in a mercurial game where a 5 on end 5 seemed very handy in a short game. They were still 8-9 down after 8 ends but a surge over the last four ends brought them a 16-9 victory. Denny Gardiner, with Keith Beavers and Carol Tipton, was always in command and won by 20-7. This match was a close-run affair, with only a 3 shots difference overall, but Connaught maintained the 100% record.

Connaught played Swaffham Town 'A' at home on Tuesday 19th July and lost by 40 shots to 46 and by 2 points to 6. Ray Wells, with Mike Parsons and Sylvia Parsons, won 16-11 after being 6-9 down after 10 ends. The recovery against a good Swaffham triple was due mainly to Mike winning the battle at lead and Sylvia bowling crucial shots at the right time to reduce the pressure on Ray. Denny Gardiner, with Keith Banks and Carol Tipton, was 5-3 up after 6 ends but then was increasingly outplayed to lose 10-20. This was simply a question of an excellent Swaffham triple playing to top form; the two ladies at 1 and 2 were very accurate and M Percival at skip had a superb game. Sheila Bragg, with Keith Beavers and Russell Hales, was 6-10 down after 9 ends but pulled up to lead 14-11 after 16 ends with victory in sight. Swaffham had other ideas and fought back to win 15-14 after their skip, B Cocksedge, produced a brilliant draw on the last ends. Connaught can have no complaint about this first defeat of the season; they did not play badly but Swaffham were the better side on the night.

Connaught travelled to Ashill 'A' on Tuesday 26th July and just secured a 4-4 draw. losing by two triples to one but winning 47-45 on overall shots. Sheila Bragg, with Keith Banks and Russell Hales, led 14-10 after 11 ends but then lost the initiative to be 15-19 down after 17 ends; a 2 on end 18 reduced the margin to 17-19 and was crucial to overall shots. Bill Adcock, with Diana Adcock and Carol Tipton, hung on to win 15-10 after being 11-1 up on end 7. Ray Wells, with Mike Parsons and Sylvia Parsons, was in one of those very close "can go either way" matches; things went the wrong way as 13-11 ahead after 14 ends was converted to 13-16 down after 17 ends. In a similar finish to Sheila Bragg's, Connaught gained a 2 on end 18 and this guaranteed the vital 2 points for overall shots. Ashill 'A' are not having a good season and perhaps this match was points lost for Connaught. However, most of the Connaught side had played draining Jermy Cup matches on Sunday and the three lady players had played a tough match at Wymondham Dell the previous evening; sometimes the body does protest a little!