Arthur Jackson’s Select v Norfolk Over 60s
A J’s select entertained the Norfolk Over 60s at the Galtres Centre over the weekend of the 8th & 9th of August.
The Saturday saw the annual battle for the Challenge Match Shield. The format was each team having 48 players, playing 8 40 minute sessions on 8 mats, 4 sessions in the morning and 4 in the afternoon with each triple playing alternate sessions.
A J’s Select was made up with bowlers from North Yorkshire, Hertfordshire and Derbyshire.
The Home team made a great start in the 1st session, winning 10 points to 6, and in the second session 12 points to 4, giving them a commanding lead of 22-10.
In the 3rd session, Norfolk fared better, getting a draw on 8 points each. However, the pendulum swung back to the A J team in the 4th session when they took a 9 – 7 win, giving them a massive 39 – 25 lead at the end of the morning sessions.
Into the afternoon and the Home team pressed their advantage, winning the 5th session 11 – 5, pushing the overall total to 50 – 30. Norfolk came back in the 6th session with an 8 – 8, but were, unfortunately, unable to close the gap.
With only two sessions left and 32 points to be had, the battle was far from over, but in the 7th session, the Home team dug their heels in and took the session 10 points to 6, sealing the victory. Although the 8th session was a formality, the Home team, still playing for pride, won the session 12 points to 4.
A J’s Select ended the day with the shield, and a total of 80 points, 503 shots to Norfolk’s 48 points and 380 shots.
Well done ladies and gents, you did the A J’s proud, no doubt Norfolk will be wanting to exact revenge when we visit them next summer.
The Sunday game was a mix and match tournament, with the number 2s from the previous day swapping sides. A J’s and Norfolk’s teams would consist of a Lead and Skip, with a Second ‘borrowed’ from the other team. Again, it was 8 sessions of 40 minute games with 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw, each triple playing 4 sessions each. In the event of a tie at the end of the day, the winners would be decided by shot difference, with a prize (a bottle of wine each) to the winning team from each side.
The winning team from A J’s select were: Julia Bruce, Jill Hayman & Trevor Knight, 8 points & 19 shots.
The Norfolk winners were: Chris Kerslake, Neil Robertson & Terry Newby, 6 points & 16 shots.
Many thanks to Teresa Goldsmith for organising her bowlers to come up to North Yorkshire and we look forward to our return to Hingham next year. The proposed dates, which are yet to be confirmed, are the 7th & 8th of August 2027.
Arthur Jackson
