Gedling's Phillip Epton & Co have clinched a place at the upcoming National Championships, to be held from 9-18 April 2010 at Nottingham IBC.

 

In a tight game, played on a neutral green at Erewash, our team of Matt Vickery, Alistair Hansen, Duncan Robinson and Brett Morley led for long periods but went into the final end 1 shot up.

Gedling managed to produce a strong finish and picked up 5 shots to win the game by 4 and win the game.

 

The win for Gedling prevented Nottingham from taking all 4 qualifying competitions for the National Championships.

 

Nottingham boasts the qualifiers in the singles (Simon Skelton), pairs (Jonathan & Chris Holmes) and triples (Phil Bowles, Alistair Hansen & Phil Broughton).

 

The Championships start on Friday 9th April and run through to Sunday 18th April. Entry is free for members of Nottingham IBC.

Phil Bowles, Alistair Hansen and Phil Broughton beat James Beckett, Mark Lee and John Midren to clinch their place at the National Championships.

 

Broughton & Co raced into a 10-0 lead but John Mildren's triple fought back to go into a 11-10 lead. A tight game ensued and at 15 ends, the scores were tied 15-15.

 

A tied end on the 16th end, with 2 bowls touching the jack, meant the scores were level with 2 ends to play.

 

A good end from Phil, Phil & Alistair on the 17th end, with Phil Broughton playing a good bowl to ditch the jack, meant they scored a 3 to make the scores 18-15 going into the last end.

 

James Beckett and Mark Lee both had a good end on the 18th end to leave Phil Broughton 5 shots down and under pressure. Phil played an excellent 2nd bowl to draw shot bowl. John Mildren had 2 efforts to remove the bowl but couldn't get it out meaning Phil, Phil & Alistair ran out 19-15 winners.

 

Phil, Phil and Alistair will now play in the National Triples Championships at 9.30am on 11th April at Nottingham IBC.

 

Good luck!

Nottingham's mixed fours qualifiers lost out to eventual winners City of Ely in the National Mixed Fours Competition.

 

Helen Mason, Margaret Lomas, Alistair Hansen and Philip Broughton were beaten at the second round stage by a City of Ely quartet in 2009 and history repeated itself.

 

Our four kicked off their campaign with a first round victory over North Wilts 25-13 before winning the second round against Barking 24-17.

 

Day 3 brought a victory over York & District 21-14 to set up a semi-final with City of Ely. Their opponents had only dropped 30 shots in their previous 3 games and were eventually too strong for our side, running out 23-6 winners.

 

Ely's quartet of Sarah Seymour, Kerry Reynolds, Jamie Reynolds & Nicky Brett beat Minehead 22-11 in the final.

 

Nottingham'shopes now turn to Dave Adams, who is our representative in the Men's Over 60 singles. He faces Geoff Plaskitt of Lincoln on 27th February at 9.30am. Good luck Dave!