Hertfordshire BA were drawn at home in the first round of the U25 competition against Cambridgeshire on Sunday 20th May 2007 at 1030hrs. Roebuck BC provided the green and facilities with Jim Syme and the ladies Mrs Brackley and Mrs Kilford doing a wonderful job providing early morning bacon rolls and a smashing buffet after the game. Cambridgeshire County Team Manager Roy Humphries and his wife were in attendance with a strong Cambridgeshire team.

 

Hertfordshire BA had a squad of 16 players for the U25 Two fours. On the day Bobby Henessey and David Neilson were unable to attend due to other commitments. The other 14 players named in the squad attended and the players not selected had a bowls session on the green with Nick Muir EBYDS Co-ordinator.

 

The following players were selected to play: -

20/05/2007

Hertfordshire BA U25

Club

V

 

 Cambridgeshire U25

Roebuck BC

Rink  2

 

 

 

Rink  2

Lead

Bradley Coles

Garston

 

Lead

Neil Flack

Two

Callum Sloan

Kings Langley

18-27

Two

David Baynes

Three

Mark Ford

Whit Hern

 

Three

Chris Chapman

Skip

Matthew Coppen

Royston

 

Skip

Nick Ashby

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rink  3

 

 

 

Rink  3

Lead

Tom Muir

Harpenden

 

Lead

Robert Drew

Two

Craig Kilford

Roebuck

29-13

Two

Chris Davison

Three

Stuart Wright

Holwell

 

Three

Sam Tonbridge

Skip

Simon Burgess

Harpenden

 

Skip

Richard Catton

 

 

Final score

47 – 40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This match was one of the best comebacks I have seen from our junior players. Matthew Coppen’s rink was

12-1 down after 5 ends against an experienced Cambridgeshire rink skipped by Nick Ashby. On the other rink Simon Burgess was 5-1 down and things were looking bleak to say the least. Our lads pulled it back over the next 5 ends with Matt’s’ rink at 15-9 and Simon’s rink pushing into a 10-9 lead. It then became an interesting game with Simon’s rink staying in front and Matt’s rink trying to reduce the deficit. The finale saw Matt playing his last end with the match very close. Matt’s score 27-14 down and Simon’s rink 27-13 both having played 20 ends. The difference was 1 shot. Playing the last end Matt’s rink was holding shots with Nick Ashby’s last wood to come. Nick trailed the jack but the jack stayed caught on a Hertfordshire bowl. Matt ‘s rink scoring 4 shots on the last end gave a comfortable 5 shot advantage for Simon’s last end. Cambridgeshire were holding 3 shots until Stuart Wright trailed the jack and held shot. Richard Catton the Cambridgeshire skip had no choice but to try to kill the end but was unable to do so with both bowls. Simon then drew shot for two leaving a victory for Hertfordshire and a place in the Regional Final on Sunday 17th June 2007 at Bedford Borough.

 

Result:‑           HBA 47 shots  ‑ Cambridgeshire 40 shots.