UNDER 25 MATCH REPORTS

Reports on the matches latest first.

Junior Home Counties League - Buckinghamshire Under 25’s 57 Shots Surrey County Bowling Association Under 25’s 56 shots.

Match Result - Bucks 6pts Surrey 4pts

The beautiful setting of Waddesdon Bowls Club, home of Buckinghamshire Under 25’s greeted all from Surrey. Set in the grounds of Waddesdon Manor in land purchased by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild back in 1874, this made for a picture perfect setting for today's proceedings.

My thanks firstly to JVP Martin Harbottle in attendance, the mums and dads, and all the players for their prompt arrival and commitment to play - some whom, had very early starts in order to make the 146 mile round trip for this fixture.

Those who travelled to watch were treated to one of the most entertaining and closest of encounters imaginable.

So close was this game, that in effect it came down to the last bowl of the 63rd end of play, in order to determine the outcome.

This was not the day to focus on individual performances, albeit some were outstanding. For me this was all about the team performance.

Against an outstanding Buckinghamshire side, Surrey matched them all the way.

The quality of bowling on display was exceptional.

Every player on show today played their part and on a personal level my thanks go out to you all.

As a team we now need to move on from this performance and on this showing should fear no-one.

Well done to all of you.

Rink 1 - Graham Street, Luke Griffin, Aaron Harding, Eoghan Harding 23-18

Rink 2 - George Hopper, Adam Boarer, Jamie Houle, Jamie Tindall 14-22

Rink 3 - Will Vizer-Allen, Hugo Manuel, Frankie Quigley, Andrew Orme 19-17

Surrey County Bowling Association Under 25’s 65 shots Newdigate BC 61 shots.

Brilliant warm sunshine greeted all to the tranquil haven of Newdigate BC. Cricket and Bowls separated by the most magnificent example of English Oak tree.

Greenkeeper Hanson was skilfully guiding the “iron” at pace up and down the selected rinks on a green that looked and played immaculately well.

In the kitchen Sue Manuel, Alison Hopper and Elaine Orme were diligently at work providing the pre match bacon, sausage rolls and beverages, my thanks to you all.

The occasion was made special by the kind gesture of County President Peter Marshall in bringing a Rink of Senior Officials to play against a Rink of Under 25’s. This took centre stage. The Senior quartet of Messrs Harbottle (JVP), Tucker (Past President, Previous Under 25 Team Manager and present Match Secretary), President Peter Marshall & Joe Cable (SVP), proved to strong for the Under 25 selectees of Hopper, Manuel, Bickley & Orme. Some fine bowling ensuring a  comfortable 16 shots to 9 win.

Orme at skip, was often left with way too much to do however Bickley at 3 played well. For the President, JVP Harbottle played particularly well at lead, with John Tucker at 2 exceptional, with his new found “push” delivery technique.

Newdigate had done their homework, and their selections made this game a very good work out for the County’s future stars.

Frankie Quigley skipping on Rink 2 was always in for a tough game Two outdoor season debutants, could not make the most of excellent leading once more from Will Vizer-Allen. The Newdigate 4 led superbly by Tony Smith proving too strong.

Luke Griffin returned to the fray, skipping on Rink 3. Ably assisted by Alex Gaunt at three,  they comfortably won by 16 shots.

Things were tighter on Rink 5, where Houle was outstanding at skip. However, they almost allowed a loaded Newdigate Rink a reprieve, eventually winning by one shot.

Daniel Mullens rink out on 6 did well to come back from a 7 shot deficit by securing a 2 shot win. Good performances by all on this rink.

In conclusion a tight 4 shot and three rinks to one win against a very good Newdigate side proved to be the outcome. My thanks to Newdigate Bowls Club for being exceptional hosts and I look forward to the prospect of a re-match for season 2020.

Presidents Rink 4 - George Hopper, Hugo Manuel, Ryan Bickley, Andrew Orme 9-16

Newdigate Rinks

Rink 2 - Will Vizer-Allen, Anthony Guiness, Kieran Fair-Ellis, Frankie Quigley 9-24

Rink 3- Freddie Rosenberg-Steele, Angela Boarer, Alex Gaunt, Luke Griffin 24-8

Rink 5 - Callum O'Brien, Thomas Goucher, Luke Bazanni, Jamie Houle 15-14

Rink 6 - George Clarke, Andrew Boarer, Kieran Pankhania, Daniel Mullen 17-15

Surrey County Bowling Association Under 25’s 82 -  Malden Manor BC 42

The sun shone, some might say albeit to briefly on the start of the Under 25 Outdoor season.The Green and the surrounds at Malden Manor looked superb.

New Head of Catering Lynda Padgham and her team welcomed all to the smell of bacon rolls, these were most welcome and many thanks to Lynda and her team of helpers for this.

Thanks also to all the parents, who braved the elements, at times it really was quite cold. However they were treated to some excellent bowls.

Rink 2 superbly skipped by Eoghan Harding got off to a flyer, they were sixteen shots fto the good before generously allowing there hosts a point. All four players were outstanding and totally deserved to win the rink by 14 Shots.

Rink 3 gained the biggest winning margin, winning by 15 shots. Will Vizer-Allen looking very solid at lead.

Rink 5 also gained a comfortable 10 shot win, however at 13 ends they were level at 10 shots each, but ten shots in 5 ends secured the win.

Out on Rink 6 Aaron Harding stepped in as skip and played very well, things were not quite so easy here as the 15-14 score- line would suggest.

My thanks also to Angela Boarer and Norman Mann for stepping in at short notice.

Junior Vice President Martyn Harbottle attending his first Under 25 game stated how impressed he was at the level of performance on show here today.

A 40 point winning margin and clean sweep of all Four Rinks, helped to take away some of the first game nerves for new manager Manuel.

In conclusion, there were many positives to be taken from this game as we strive into the long season ahead.

Next stop ‘leafy’ Newdigate and there excellent green.

Well done to all today, from a very proud manager.

Rink 2 - George Hopper, Hugo Manuel, Ryan Bickley, Eoghan Harding:- 25-11

Rink 3 - Will Vizsr-Allen, Thomas Goucher, Luke Bazanni, Daniel Mullen:- 22-7

Rink 5 - Freddie Rosenberg-Steel, Norman Mann, Jamie Houle, Adam Boarer:- 20-10

Rink 6 - Callum O’Brien, Angela Boarer, Frankie Quigley, Aaron Harding:- 15-14