STOCKPORT METRO LEAGUE

 

VERSUS

 

DURHAM

 

 

VENUE:               THE GLEBE CENTRE, MURTON Co DURHAM.

 

 

MATCH RESULT:       DURHAM:           13 POINTS.

                                       STOCKPORT:    27 POINTS.

SHOTS SCORE:          DURHAM            141

                                      STOCKPORT     207

 

Stockport travelled to newly promoted Durham on Sunday 29^th November, 2008. The Glebe Centre stands on the site of the old Miner’s Welfare Club and in the foyer was a lovely reminder of the mining area Murton once was; an old coal truck full of real coal that was originally hauled by men and donkeys and complete with old rail tracks. There was also another reminder of times gone by. As we sat on the coach being serenaded by Billy Burn’s mobile phone; Valerieee………! Billy’s accent got thicker and thicker the more north east we went. By the time we pulled off the A19 we had no chance at all of understanding what he was saying.  No change there, then! Finally, the match commenced at 11am.

 

 

Representing Stockport in the singles games was:

 

Adam Smith (Avons) and Lesley Fennell (Hazel Grove)

 

Lesley was first on the mat her opponent being Len Greathead. After four ends Len had eased into a 1-5 lead but Lesley came right back and by the 7^th the scores were level at 5 across. At the 10^th Len was 5-9 up then Lesley came back yet again taking 7 off two ends to lead 12-9 at the 12^th end. Then it was Len’s turn to stage a comeback and he got home 12-15. This was an excellent game of bowls from two very good players.

In her second game Lesley came up against Amy Mason and really showed Amy her England and County form by sailing into a 14-0 lead by the 14^th end. Amy made a mini-comeback but Lesley romped home 19-7. This was a very good display, Lesley.

Adam opened up his first game against Amy. This was a real battle by two very determined players. Several times Adam had good chalks in hand but Amy would upset the applecart and usually took the end by 1 chalk. The game continued to ebb and flow and finally ended in a 12-12 draw; with both teams taking a point each.

Adam’s second game against Len was another tight battle but right from the start Adam stamped his authority on the game. Len was always chasing the game as Adam eventually took complete control and ran out an easy winner 17-11.

An excellent 7 points scored-5 for the two wins and draw; and the other 2 for the winning aggregate score.

 

 

Representing Stockport in the doubles games was:

 

 

Win Thompson (Woodley) and Billy Burn (Bramhall Village)

Rhona Mason (Poynton A) and Scott Smith (Avons A)

 

Win and Billy opened the doubles games against Richard Mason and George Broom. Both Stockport players hit top form from the word go, giving their opponents no look in at all. The final score tells the tale of the game; 17-5 in favour of Win and Billy.

Win and Billy’s opponents in their second game were Marian Rorrison and Derek Gray. It was pretty much the same fare from Win and Billy as they really battered the Durham pair by 20-3. Both games were one-way traffic for the Stockport pair. Well done Win and Billy.

Rhona and Scott opened their account against Marian and Derek. Rhona and Scott both bowled excellent woods and after 12 ends had a lead of 12-8. In the last three ends they scored a further 9 chalks ending the game 21-8. Another great result to go with Win and Billy’s.

Their second game against Richard and George was a repeat of their first. They quickly took control to such an extent that the Durham pair was restricted to scoring just 6 singles whilst Rhona and Scott scored steadily amassing 17 chalks; the game ending 17-6 in Stockport’s favour. Again, a great result from the pairs with 8 points being scored for the four wins with an extra 2 for the winning aggregate. Well done, Win, Billy, Rhona and Scott.

 

 

 

 

Representing Stockport in the triples was:

 

Charlie Cooper (Denton A) Paul Mason (Poynton A) and Ron Hamilton (Woodley A)

Bernie Thorley (GMCC) Graham Edwards (Woodbank A) and Bernie Fennell (Hazel Grove A)

 

Charlie, Paul and Ron opened the triples against Ena Henderson, Lilian Kerrison and Jean Johnson, and yet again the Stockport team, from the beginning, was able to take complete control of the game. At one stage they were 7-1 up after six ends. They then suffered a little hiccup as the Durham trio scored a four. The next end settled the game. Once again this triples team scored an excellent six; four good bowls from Charlie and Paul followed by two more from Skip, Ron.

Their second game was against Gladys Elliott, and Joan and David Taylor. This game was in total contrast to their first game. This was a battle royal all the way through. At the 11^th end the teams were all square at 7-7. Stockport had the last bowl to win the game. All Ron had to do was turn a Stockport wood over and it was won. He turned it over alright, twice! The resulting peg saw Stockport lose 7-8 by about half an inch.

The two Bernie’s and Graham opened up against Gladys, Joan and David and found that they were a trio to be reckoned with. After four ends the Stockport lads were 6-1 up including a nice four in the 3^rd. Then the Durham trio got to work and made a tremendous comeback that saw them going into the last end only 9-6 down but canny bowling from the Stockport team saw Durham manage only one point to end the match 9-7 down.

Their second match against Ena, Lilian and Jean looked all over by the 9^th end with Stockport completely in control at 11-4; but as we all know it is not over till the fat lady sings! In the 10^th Durham took a great four to make it 11-8. In the 11^th they had the Stockport lads looking worried as they fought to secure at least a draw. It was not to be as they managed just 2. Stockport taking full points 11-10.

This was another good performance from the triples with them scoring 6 points for three good wins and 2 for the winning aggregate.

 

 

 

 

 

Representing Stockport in the fours was:

 

Paula Moores (Queensgate) John Pajak (Woodley A) Chris Bates Great Moor) Bob Thompson (Woodley A)

Roger Moores (Queensgate) Leslie Smith (Avons) Allison Boulton (Denton A) Barrie Chadwick (Europa)

 

The first game saw Paula, John, Chris and Bob taking on the Durham four of Alan McCallum, Paula McCallum, Lucille Westwick and Len Stout.

Yet again we find a pretty even game from both teams; Stockport taking a quick 3-0 lead and then being pegged back and passed by Durham. At the 7^th end Stockport were 3-11 down but stuck to their task and made a great effort to draw level but could only manage four chalks in the last two ends eventually going down by 7-11.

Their second game against Kathleen Mann, Joan Mann, Benny Johnson and Michael Mann showed once again the determination that runs through these fours teams. This was a tremendously tight game fought between two evenly matched teams. After four ends Stockport had their noses in front 4-1. Durham then slotted home a welcome four in the 5^th and by the penultimate end Stockport had their noses in front 6-5. End 9 saw some very tense bowling from both teams and Durham finally slipped over the line 6-7.

In their first game Roger, Louise, Allison and Barrie came up against Kathleen, Joan, Benny and Michael. Try as they might they could not match the Durham team and finally succumbed 5-18.

Their second game against Alan, Paula, Lucille and Ken was in complete contrast to their first. They immediately took control of the game and by the 6^th end had run up a lead of 7-3 and were looking very tight and compact. In the 7^th they took a very good three to lead 10-3. Then Durham made their move; but it was too little too late and they could only score 4 more chalks, leaving Stockport comfortable winners at 10-7. Considering the hammering Stockport took in their first game this was a tremendous result and testament to their spirit and skill and never say-die attitude. Let us hope that this is the start of better things to come for both teams in future games.

 

 

Team captain Allison Boulton was certainly pleased with the teams result and performances. The team has now played four matches, winning three and drawing the other. We have become a team to be reckoned with. Let’s keep it that way. The new team shirts have also smartened up our appearance with all players now singing from the same hymn sheet! However, having eaves dropped on a couple of conversations it is clear that certain players feel we could have done with a touch of colour in the shirts. I think I agree, but at least we have moved in the right direction. That also goes with the hiring of the bus to take us to Durham. It was a qualified success. As Billy so succinctly put it “get it booked, Barrie” referring to the away game at North Yorkshire in January 2009. That neatly brings me to our next game which is the return fixture against Durham at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe on Saturday 13^th December, 2008. Well played Stockport.

 

 

Ron Hamilton (Stockport)

30^th November, 2008.