Green had been cut and was running nicely. A warmer night that usual saw us facing a team that themselves had upped it a gear since establishing a steady first division berth. It wasn’t going to be as straightforward as the league positions may have suggested.
So it proved as John Dawes hit the ground running against Graham Harrison, plonking two near the jack first end. Graham got straight in but three more from John took him further clear. A single from Graham was met with an eight break from John to take a commanding 13-2 lead. Graham then got in and won five of the next six chalks. Unfortunately, John won all six of the next six chalks to lie game. Graham could only muster a single point before John killed it off. GH 8 JD 21
What can I say about Friday skipper’s performance? Probably the best I’ve seen Dave Bellis bowl. John Thomas won the first end then was treated to an exhibition as Dave wrapped them round the block for a fourteen break with five twos. John replied with a crafted six break of his own but would only score four more before Dave closed the game out with another 3 twos. DB 21 JT 11
Steve Blaymire was up against it from the off as Peter Lee put in a solid start to lead 8-0. A couple of four breaks from Steve saw him pull back to 8-11 down, but a greater level of accuracy and scaring Steve with his legs saw Peter home comfortably. SB 13 PL 21
Dave Palmer set off as he usually has this season with a two. Then another. Andy Smithies didn’t stand for it though and rallied well to take the lead 11-9. Big mistake. Next time he led the block he was 12-18 behind as Dave had stood them all over the block again. Andy had slightly the better (5-3) of the closing exchanges as Dave came off a worthy winner DP 21 AS 16
Captain Stuart Cameron closed out the first half in a game that would see Chad invoicing him for ink. A titanic tussle with Stewart Taylor saw the lead change a few times before Stewart edged clear. A fightback from Stuart was rebuffed by a five break to see him 17-11 down. He immediately replied with five of his own. “Uncle” Ted Birtwistle said at allbut 18 down Stu would win and he duly did, bowling an iron bowl to win the block back before two solid woods to close the game out. SC 21 ST 20
First up in the second half and half way through before the Camarathon finish, Dean Richardson found himself in a proper tussle with Black Lane stalwart Tony Guite. The game was level four times before Tony edged clear. Try as he might, Dean couldn’t completely reel in the seasoned campaigner as he was eventually overcome by a barrage of singles. DR 16 TG 21
On at seven was Colin Palmer against Mark Dawes. Mark had the best of the opening ends, winning all three of them with singles. Colin’s regained confidence saw him take the game to Mark and the Allens Green lad had no response to Colin bowling brilliantly. A run of six doubles in an eight end break saw him go 14-3 up. That soon became 18-5 and a couple of singles from Mark was all that he could muster before Colin got the drinks in. CP 21 MD 7
Block 8 saw Chad Sproston taking on the visiting captain Don Fletcher. Opening exchanges saw it 4-4 before Don pushed clear by five. Chad battled back to one behind before Don opened up a 7 chalk lead at 15-8. Again, Chad gave his all to get back in it and a six break saw him one behind at 16-17, only for Don to run out. CS 16 DF 21
Father Hilton took to the green at block nine and faced Mr Farrington – Geoff v Geoff was on! Unfortunately for Allens Green, Geoff v Geoff was over as a competition after 10 ends as our Geoff had bowled excellently to take a 15-2 lead. The card suggests that he eased off a little as they level pegged through to the end with Geoff H running out a comfy winner. GH 21 GF 10
Last match on, 3 hours after the rest saw me taking on Denzil Taylor. Two braces for me flattered to deceive as I proceeded to lose a length and from 4-1 up soon found myself 12-5 down. We pegged each other back as the score reached 17-9. Den would only take one of the next 9 chalks won, though, leaving me one chalk behind before winning end 27 for him to lie 19-17 up. Three singles in reply saw me take the lead for the first time in 40 minutes at 20-19. Den then got back in as I bowled short only for me to edge home. MP 21 DT 20
Six winners to four and a slender 11 chalk win reasonably summed the game up; a close but deserved win for the homesters.
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