2021 Middleton Cup Fixtures

Middleton Cup Preliminary Round

Surrey Vs Sussex at Maidstone BC, Leafy Lane, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 0DT.

Saturday 3^rd July, arrive 10.30am for 11am start

Dress Code – Arrive wearing Blue Travelling kit. Play wearing County Top with Whites

Harry Cushen, Joseph Tindall, John Graham, Jon Wilson 18-13 M Heitzman

Anthony Reynolds, Mark Dunne, Liam Mulcahy, Nathan Beeson 14-25 M Stoner

James Cooper, Jeff O’Leary, Paul Bennett, Simon Clarke 28 - 17 L Heitzman

Sean Gingell, Connor Hayes, Callum Sharp, Ian Jenkins 19-17 R Morphett

Jamie Tindall, Andrew Richardson, Eoghan Harding, Charlie Souter 19-16 A Bull

Terry Friday, Eamon O’Flynn, Gary Clark. Mark Bishopp 16-27 S Flynn

Travelling Reserves Craig Baker, Joe Cable, Dan Capon, Paul Foley

Match Report

We arrived in Maidstone for our first round knockout Middleton Cup match against Sussex County after a year of inactivity.  Despite missing two skips from our previous campaign which had weakened us a little we had showed belief in our trials and were full of confidence. 

We started well but despite holding a slender lead for most of the game we were never so far ahead to be really confident of a comfortable win.  As the game unfolded rinks from both counties which had fallen behind early on came back into the match with good recoveries.

The overall score became much closer with good draw bowls from both counties until we were 4 ahead with 3 ends to go.  Unfortunately the heads on those 3 ends went against us, not by bad bowling on our behalf but by some excellent draw shots from our opposition to leave us 114 to 115 behind after completing 126 ends and over 2000 bowls

All credit to Sussex but I thought that we were marginally the better of two fairly even sides and were unfortunate not to win.  The attitude and energy of our players could not be faulted and I was pleased to see that 2 of our team playing in their first games at this level were outstanding.  

At least we returned home to watch England reach the semis of the Euros.  There is a song in there somewhere.

Barrie

 2021 Balcomb Trophy - 11^th July Vs Berkshire

This first round Balcomb Trophy match saw us travel to Tilehurst BC near Reading on Sunday morning to play Berkshire.  An away fixture in this 2 rink competition is always going to be difficult especially when the opposition have a handful of players playing on their own green.   Prior to the game being started our team was full of spirit and enthusiasm so much so that a team talk was not necessary.  The enthusiasm lasted throughout the game which was conceded by Berks with 5 ends to go, Surrey leading 41-24

The four left out from the trial could consider themselves unfortunate not to get selected but this was a really encouraging performance from everyone who played, sometimes as two fours but always as an eight man team.  Next up is a trip to Bromley BC in Kent next Sunday for the Area Semi and Final with 4 Counties battling it out to get to Leamington on September 5^th.

Well played team and thank you

Barrie

Results

11th July Vs Berkshire

Sean Gingell, Jon Wilson, Nathan Beeson, Ian Jenkins Vs Scott Winskill, Mark Clisby, Patrick Hulbert, Gary Stacey 17 - 15

Jamie Tindall, Andrew Richardson, Mark Bishopp, Charlie Souter Vs Andy Piper, Darren Holder, Andrew Knapper, Robert Newman 24 - 9

18th July - Regional Semi Final Vs Hampshire

Sean Gingell, John Graham, Paul Bennett, Nathan Beeson Vs J Marsland 14-22

Jamie Tindall, Andrew Richardson, Jon Wilson,Charlie Souter Vs L May 18-22

The Middleton Cup Manager

EMAIL: barrie.emanuel@sky.com

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