Connaught Bowls Club

CONNAUGHT v FRAMINGHAM EARL

Connaught finished the league season with a defeat at Frmaingham Earl on Wednesday 28 March by 51-62 and 2-8

Sheila Bragg, Christine Musk and Ty Musk won 19-11 against M Blaizer

Gordon Wilcox, Hazel Banks and Peter Hambling lost 9-11 against K Bunn

Alison Rush, Ron Maddern and Ralf Ramm lost 12-21 against R Lumley

Alan Marshall, Russell Hales and Ken Lurcock lost 11-19 against D Bunn

The above are bare, telephoned details and no more information can be given.

An undistinguished South Norfolk season ended on an undistinguished note as another improvised side slid to defeat. From the scores it seems that Gordon Wilcox's match was the key to a better result but a close match was lost by 2 shots. There were just 4 regular Breckland 'A' players in the side fielded and although club policy remains "mix and match" for this league we need to field at least 6 'A' players to be competitive, especially away from home. It is a mistake to treat this league lightly; Hempnall are light years apart from everybody else but all clubs can field useful players and at home will beat Connaught sides which crumble on away mats. Next season will give an opportunity to take stock and give more direction and cohesion to the South Norfolk side. Since entering it Connaught have been loyal and keen members but this season our playing standards have lapsed.

CONNAUGHT v THURTON

Connaught lost at Thurton on Monday 12 March by 50-61 and 2-8.

These bare details have been pulled off the county website because not all our match cards currently are available

CONNAUGHT v HORSFORD

Connaught beat Horsford at home on Monday 13 February by 55-35 and 7-3

Mat 1 Steve Hall, Hazel Banks and Ken Lurcock lost 8-14 against R Frank

Mat 2 Gordon Wilcox, Russell Hales and Heather Winup won 11-7 against V Webster

Mat 1 S Bragg, Christine Musk and Ty Musk won 26-4 against M Dale

Mat 2 A Marshall, P Hambling and S Parsons drew 10-10 against C Woodhouse

 

Home advantage always seems to dominate Connaught v Horsford matches and this one was little different with some of Horsford's "heavy wood" players, so devastating on their own mats, failing to adjust.
Connaught had a last minute panic when Ron Maddern phoned to say his car had broken down in the middle of Attleborough and he was sorting things out;  if possible, he would prefer not to play! Many thanks to Sylvia Parsons for responding immediately to the club's call, and with due respect to Ron the change would not weaken the side! Ken Lurcock moved across to play with Steve Hall and Sylvia slotted in as 2 to Alan Marshall.

With Steve just back from two weeks Cuban holiday and with Hazel and Ken not frequent players nowadays, the first triple on Mat 1 had a "do your best" look about it and thus it proved. Connaught won 7 ends but were contained to 8 shots while Horsford managed 1 x 4 and 2 x 3 amongst their 8 winning ends. Russell and Heather had had a dreadful time against Watton the day before, but with Russell steadier and Heather having a really good match Gordon had enough support to consolidate well and lead Connaught to a close and tense win. Over the first 14 ends Connaught had 1 x 2 and 6 x 1 while Horsford scored 7 x 1; on the last end Connaught broke the spell with good head building and scored 3 for an 11-7 win. After the interval Sheila Bragg, well-supported by Chris and Ty, had one of those devastating wins when she is in totally ruthless mood. Connaught stormed into a 20-0 lead after 8 ends, with 4 on end 6 and 5 on end 7 magnifying the shots difference. The match became more normal after that as Horsford got into it and Connaught won the last 7 ends by just 6-4. With Peter Hambling leading, with Alan Marshall in good recent form and with Sylvia Parsons a newly-recruited 2, Connaught's triple on Mat 2 looked very strong. An 8-3 lead after 8 ends was pointing to victory but it was not to be. Horsford had never crumbled and their triple, adjusting well to the conditions, eased their way back until Connaught found themslves 9-10 down after 14 ends. A single shot win on the last end  enabled a relieved Connaught triple to draw the match.

CONNAUGHT v WATTON

Connaught lost by 35-52 and 2-8 at Watton on Sunday 12 February

      Mat 1 Peter King, Russell Hales and Heather Winup lost 4-20 against J Hunter

      Mat 2 Alison Rush, James Haylock and Chris Haylock won 15-9 against R Braham

      Mat 1 Alan Marshall, Peter Hambling and Ken Lurcock lost 6-12 against D Paffey

      Mat 2 Sheila Bragg, Christine Musk and Ty Musk lost 10-11 against  M Hunter

This was a drab defeat for Connaught with the only highlight being the win for Alison Rush and the father and son Haylock combination. Alison has settled in well with the two inexperienced players who are rising to the occasion match by match. James is drawing very well at lead and father, Chris, has added to his variety of shots as he starts to master the tactics of the game. Alison with good support is a fine player.

 It is best not to dwell on the defeat suffered by Peter King's triple; only three ends were won in a poor display.

After the interval Connaught were hoping that Sheila Bragg's experienced triple would win by a healthy shots margin, but it was not to be in a tight match, where only 1s and 2s were scored and Connaught won 7 ends against 8. 1-5 down after 5 ends and 6-9 down after 11 ends, Connaught battled on to lead 10-9 with one end to play. Unfortunately for them  two shots were dropped on the last end.

Alan Marshall's match was another tight affair. Connaught won 6 ends all by a single shot, and Watton had 7 x 1, 1 x 2 and 1 x 3. sadly for Connaught the dropped 3 came on the last end as 6-9 down became 6-12

CONNAUGHT v MULBARTON

Connaught beat Mulbarton at home on Monday 29 January by 79-34 and 10-0

      Mat 1 Gordon Wilcox, Ron Maddern and Heather Winup won 14-11 against R Thornhill

      Mat 2 Alan Marshall, Peter Hambling and Ken Lurcock won 24-7 against J Dean

 
      Mat 1 Joyce Hazell, Hazel Banks and John Winup won 19-9 against S Foster

Connaught had had to do some reshuffling given that Connaught 'A' were playing a Norwich Cup match at Wymondham on the same evening and given other absences from the usual squad. No real problems were found in fielding a side and this shows the depth of Connaught's short mat resources. Bottom of the league Mulbarton were well-beaten but proved good company and there were encouraging signs for them. Quite clearly they were fielding some new players and had recruited quite a few after an open day last year. Mulbarton is a large village on the outskirts of Norwich but have still struggled for numbers; working hard to recruit is the way forward. Other village sides have to do this or their days are numbered. Connaught's own depth does not come through accident - once more in April the club will be flooding Attleborough with marketing for the outdoor season and most outdoor bowlers will then take up short mat.

Gordon Wilcox's match was the closest and the home side prevailed despite winning just 6 of the 15 ends. Gordon had played lead for Connaught 'A' the previous day and had to adjust as skip! Ron was a bit "iffy", but generally steady, and Heather's forehand frailty was shown up on Mat 1. Captains really must put her at lead where her backhand is better than most. Gordon was able to save well on several ends; Mulbarton were restricted to 1s and 2s whereas Connaught managed 4 x 3

Peter Hambling's accuracy at lead drew gasps of astonishment from the watching Mulbarton players, albeit he was largely unopposed, and Alan Marshall had one of those dream matches at skip. The Mulbarton 2 made a fight of it and eventually moved to skip. Ken was under no pressure and had some reasonable drawing shots at 2 but is in a weak state at present and perhaps should not be playing.

After a good match at Wymondham the previous day John Winup played very well at 2 to Joyce Hazell who concentrated hard and consolidated soundly. Hazel at lead was obviously ill, so much was she out of breath, and was a bit inaccurate; she remains very competitive and rallied well to bowl five good finishing ends.

Alison Rush had a good win and is another form player at present. When on song she plays with real pace and flair. She was very well-supported by the Haylock father and son combination. James (son) and Chris (father) have proved very good members since starting outside in the summer and have adapted well to short mat. James has an excellent and grooved delivery (thank you, Geoff Randle, for the summer coaching) and rightly is being made to learn at lead. The club must nurture him properly, winter and summer, and in league matches put him with experienced and knowledgeable players. We must also be mindful of his GCSEs this summer. Chris, after playing in the internal leagues and some South Norfolk matches, is adjusting well to the pace of short mat and his drawing has improved enormously. He must still beware of bringing the arm across the body  

CONNAUGHT v SAXLINGHAM

Connaught won at home to Saxlingham on Monday 9 January by 67-42 and 8-2

      Mat 1 Derek Liles (skip), Phil King and Ron Maddern won 22-4 against M Hobbs

      Mat 2 Alan Marshall (skip), Steve Hall and H Winup lost 14-15 to G Payne

      Mat 1 S Bragg (skip), Christine Musk and Ty Musk won 13-10 against J Torbitt

      Mat 2 A Rush (skip),  H Banks and C Haylock won 18-13 against A Banham