RIC ONE GAME FROM LEAMINGTON

This evening at Banister Park, Ric Newson took on Southampton Sports Centre's Peter Ward in the quarter-final of the County Singles. Ric was very much the underdog against Peter, who has represented the County in the Middleton Cup on 91 occasions but his cause was helped by Peter being delayed in traffic and taking time to settle. Partly as a result Ric raced to a 15-3 lead after 15 ends and his supporters dared to hope an upset was on the cards. Peter is, however, nothing if not a doughty fighter and, as he began to find line and length, Ric found himself under increasing pressure and after 27 ends Peter pulled back to all square at 18-18. A two on the next end put Peter into the driving seat and when he nailed the jack on the 29th end of an absorbing encouner it looked curtains for Ric. Somehow Ric managed to squeeze the jack out for two and with his last bowl of the end had the chance to add the third shot for victory. He was far too wide and Peter breathed again. The last and 30th end saw Ric establish early the one shot he needed for victory and he then had an anxious wait as Peter came so very close to drawing the shot for game. Fortunately for Ric he held on for a 21-20 win and will now meet Charlie Bailey of Fareham - a previous winner - in the County semi-final to be held next Monday at Fleming Park.