Reports CMBL "A" TEAM
Billericay 'A' v Silver End 23rd July 2024 Home
Billericay 0 points: Silver End 8 points: (shots 22:57)
Gary, Brian, Winston & Mike Y: Loss 10:30
Rex, Tony, David & Doug McDowell: Loss 12:27
Faced with unavailability and sickness, thank you to Gary & Doug for stepping in to support our regulars.
We suspected this would be a tough match playing the clear division leaders and the playing standard of the opposition on the night demonstrated their top of the table performance. To be fair we had our moments of success but often short lived. Disappointing evening as we have all played better but let us not forget we too hold a very favourable position in the division 2 table with a game in hand. So we lick our wounds, dust ourselves down and look forward to our last few matches with a positive edge.
Tony.
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Billericay 'A' v Ingatestone 'A' 16th July 2024 Home
Billericay 6 points: Ingatestone 2 points: (shots 52:33)
Brian, Jenny, Mike S & Mike Y: Win 32:12
Following a score of seven on end 9 the team never looked back with a strategy of long ends and were always in command from that point. Virtually level on end 8, taking charge and winning 67% of the ends overall maintained a fantastic points difference and secured the overall four points bonus.
Val, Tony, Winston & David: Loss 20:21
Probably the strongest team encountered from Ingatestone recently. Tony somehow produced a triple wick on the first end to score one but the team proceeded to be 8:1 down by end four. Digging in as usual and winning a clear majority of the remaining ends brought the score to 20:17 up on end 20 with a potential to win the rink. The last end and three down, happy with a draw at this point but the dreaded knock up of an opposition bowl gave Ingatestone a score of four on the last end.
In conclusion another very satisfactory score overall, great effort!
The end, Tony.
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Billericay 'A' v Writtle 'B' 9th July 2024 Away
Billericay 2 points: Writtle 6 points: (shots 30:32)
Rex, Graham, Winston & Doug: Loss 13:17
Val, Tony, David & Jean: Win 17:15
Firstly a big thank you to our reserves Graham and Doug for stepping in to help at short notice, much appreciated!
Just some drizzle during the game at times but the forecast rain abated during this very close match. Played in good spirit and great hospitality at the end celebrated with a 'generous' round of rolls.
Val's team started well and got to grips with the green early on, with some large early scores neutralised by the opposition skip. Nevertheless regular scoring brought the score to 15:8 up at end 16. With the potential of winning the overall bonus the next four ends were conceded to be 15:15 on the penultimate end. The last end and we were one down but fortunately Val's second and last bowl came in to take the opposition bowl out and give us two. Final score 17:15 up with two points in the bag waiting to see the fortune of Rex's team.
Rex's team had a much closer battle all the way through to be 13:11 up on end 16. A game changing hold of six shots around this part of the match went against us and the opposition capitalised by winning the remaining ends despite our good efforts. Final score 13:17 down loosing the overall bonus to share by only two shots and three to win. That's the lottery of bowls sometimes.
We beat Writtle last time by 8:0 so over the two matches we gained two points.
The End, Tony.
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Billericay 'A' v Braintree 'A' 2nd July 2024 Home
Billericay 6 points: Braintree 2 points: (shots 51:32)
Rex, Val, Winston & Jim: Loss 19:20
Brian, Tony, Mike Y & Jean: Win 32:12
Braintree proved to be great company and fun playing on our pitiful and challenging rink where bowl directions change constantly. Another great result with a point scoring reversal from our previous match. Again well done to everyone!
Rex's team were in constant battle to maintain a score equilibrium against a strong opposition skip and maintained a 14 all score by end 17. Loosing the next three ends, came back with a five in the final end to score 19:20. Almost a six to draw the match but never mind as the team's efforts meant no doubt as to the overall score, being our main goal. All the team played well to hang on to contention throughout the match and kept those concentration levels to the end.
Brian's team complimented each other throughout the match and played well especially in the early stages whilst the opposition grappled with the green. A high end scoring match for our team with the opposition struggling with both length and width. A few short ends when the opposition had the mat offered them some two and one scores but we soon regained control with some high scoring long ends. Very pleasing deserved result 32:12.
The End, Tony.
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Billericay 'A' v RHP 'A' 25th June 2024 Home
Billericay 6 points: RHP 2 points: (shots 42:36)
Rex, Val, Winston & Mike Y: Win 26:12
Tony, Jenny, David & Jean: Loss 16:24
The atrocious state of the green had all the players bemused throughout the match and as always the overall score is the most important, achieved through our pure determination and spirit. In the circumstances a very valuable six points made possible by a consistent score from Rex's team and a last minute seven shots on the last two ends from Tony's team.
Consistency was difficult to achieve for the draw bowlers especially in terms of width as the bowls appeared to alter course two or three times in some instances or just not turn. The bowls bobbled throughout the match and frustration was high. Interestingly our winning team and losing team inflicted or suffered 14 lost ends which demonstrates the overall close match with RHP. A difficult and frustrating match that did not provide for the skills that we normally demonstrate but that's life and we prevailed in the end. 10/10 for determination and effort. A good result in the end, well done.
The End, Tony.
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Billericay 'A' v Witham 'A' 11th June 2024 Home
Billericay 6 points: Witham 2 points: (shots 38:36)
Another 'hand warmer' night against expected strong opposition so no surprises there. An important team effort and success to give us a valuable six points, well done to everyone.
Brian, Tony, Mike S & Jean: Win 23:15
A steady start with a marginal lead 5:3 up on end 5 but then dropped a five only to recover to 8:8 on end 7. From this point we realised that the opposition front end struggled with the longer lengths and the strategy going forward was cast, despite the excellent efforts of the opposition skip. Our back end filled the gaps when necessary and held our nerve when the opposition skip was on the mat. Winning 13 of the ends the team accumulated a margin that would hopefully be enough to win the overall.
Rex, Val, Mike Y & Jim: Loss 15:21
Against one or two formidable on form opposition players, our strategy appeared to be delay until the fall of darkness! A hard challenging game in the early stages 10:3 down on end 7. Looking at a potential loss, the goal reverted to maintaining a score that would offer the overall match total shots and the associated four additional points. The team battled on including a potential five down save on end 18 to win the remaining three ends in darkness, evidently our trump card. Great play to win the overall shots by just two, so important.
The end, Tony
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Billericay 'A' v Silver End 4th June 2024 Away
Billericay 0 points: Silver End 8 points: (shots 26:49)
As expected, our opposition Silver End proved to be a challenge in many ways and not a particularly joyful evening with the exception of the after match refreshments and chat. During the match we looked forward to the end.
Val, Tony, Winston & Mike S: Loss 15:31
Drawn against an all male team predominantly of young county badged players and a lead equipped with Aero straight woods, we knew the pressure was on especially as two of our players were unwell on the night. Faced with the opposition leads accuracy on long lengths we battled to stay in touch and dropped our own five against by the accidental movement of the jack. The match continued and progress was made in the later stages holding three on end 20 with a score of 15:28, but a late drive from the opposition skip took the jack to give the opposition plus three on end 21.
Brian, Jenny, David and Mike Y: Loss11:18
Arguably the team benefitted from a more favourable opposition team draw and matched scores at 7 all on end 10. Unfortunately the next fours ends were conceded but recovered in part to be 11:18 down on end 18. At this point a measurement dispute arose with accusations and bad language from the opposition number three leading to the match being abandoned and a complaint raised by Jenny.
Not our best night!
Tony.
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Billericay 'A' v Ingatestone 'A' 28th May 2024 Away
Billericay 8 points: Ingatestone 0 points: (shots 48:31)
A cloudy and cold evening especially for spectators but thankfully no rain until the conclusion of the match. Plaudits to our players for our second impressive victory in a row but we must remember the next two games will prove more of a challenge.
Brian, Jenny, Mike S & Jean: Win 22:20
Close heads and a highly contested match in the early stages culminating in 10:7 ahead at end 10. The opposition had gained control of the mat at end 9 and started to shorten the length with the mat up. A ‘contentious misunderstanding’ on end 11 and the jack pushed back for 5 against and then another 5 dropped at end 13. A valiant recovery by the team continued with heads up and a score of their own five ended the match 22:20 up.
Rex, Jim, Winston & Mike Y: Win 26:11
A progressive and regulated match with individual front end performances improving in the second half of the match producing some high scores. Always in front of the opposition and with a common cry of ‘well done Winston’ from Rex.
Tony.
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Billericay 'A' v Writtle 'B' 21st May 2024
Billericay 8 points: Writtle 0 points: (shots 36:11 over 12 ends)
The weather had been miserably wet all day causing doubt regarding the 'playability' of the green. Tony and our esteemed green ranger Jim, inspected and trialled the 'pitch' to confirm play was possible, although would prove uncomfortable for the players. With a view to the prevailing and expected conditions the two team captains decided that a total of 24 ends (ie 12 ends each team) would be played in accordance with the rules and also to save any potential injury.
Val, Tony, Graham & Jean: Win 16:6 (over 12 ends)
Rex, Jim, Winston & Mike Y: Win 20:5 (over 12 ends)
Both Billericay and Writtle struggled with the conditions, reach and handling of the bowls but Billericay struggled less.
Difficult to be consistent throughout the match but the supportive nature of our teams meant that we were able to fill the gaps if others had an off moment. Knocking up the opponents bowls on occasion and being saved when a few down came into play but generally considering the conditions the heads were populated with some 5,4 and 3 scores.
Both Billericay teams got off to a flying start with a 4:0 and 5:1 then hit a lean patch of three ends before gaining momentum again to regularly score with the opposition skips saving shots when possible.
Thank you to Graham for turning out when we were short this week complete with flattering rain gear, as he knows the only time he will be called upon, it will be raining for sure. Also a commendation for Winston this week from skip Rex, well played Winston, your round next week in celebration.
Congratulations everyone for turning out and producing a great result!
Tony.
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Billericay 'A' v Braintree 'A' 14th May 2024
Billericay 2 points: Braintree 6 points: (shots 28:38)
Brian, Tony, Mike S & Jean (win 19:13)
Brian's team made a tentative start against a competitive skilled opposition, dropping shots in the early stages whilst coping with conditions and gaining experience of the green. Our team gradually settled down and gained confidence with everyone having their moments to keep the score from running away. At end 10 we were 4:11 down but managed to draw a 3 on the next end and Brian took the jack back for four shots on the subsequent end to bring the score to 11:11 on end 12. The realisation came that this game was in reach and we became more consistent with the opposite effect on the opposition. We scored on the majority of the remaining ends and won 10 of the total 18 ends.
Val, Jim, David & Mike Y (9:25 against)
Val's team had a similar struggle in the wet conditions albeit with some close heads but managed to be 6:10 down at end 10. Unfortunately despite our front end performing well the game continued with some reasonable scores inflicted by the opposition skip driving and 'wicking' during the remaining ends. We scored on 6 of 18 ends.
Thank you to the team (and some at short notice) for turning out in such horrible conditions and traffic.
Braintree certainly presented their best and county players early in the season, a change of strategy from last year in CMBL.
Tony.
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