South Cliff Fives 2021

Despite prolonged heavy rain on Saturday evening, the green was deemed to be fit for play the following morning and we anticipated a highly competitive Fives competition - generously sponsored by Falsgrave Funeral Service. A pair and a triples team from 10 clubs - South Cliff, Flamborough, Driffield, Stamford Bridge, Scalby & Newby, Langtoft, Hutton Cranswick, Middleton, Thornton le Dale, Burniston & Cloughton would battle it out over a total of 10 games (5 pairs and 5 triples - each lasting 45 minutes) during the day.

The first round of matches - triples and pairs set the tone with Thornton le Dale, Driffield Town A and Burniston & Cloughton being separated by 2 points. At the half-way stage there were still only two points separating Driffield Town A, Thornton le Dale - both on 17 and Burniston & Cloughton on 15.

Copious quantities of tea, coffee bacon rolls, sandwiches, cake, apple pie fuelled both players and spectators. Before the final two sets of matches a spider was held - the aim being to have bowlers on all four sides of the green bowl one wood to the jack positioned in the centre of the green. Woods clash and are deflected and on this occasion the wood closest to the jack was delivered by Shirley of Thornton le Dale - a portent of what was to come?

With one set of matches remaining, gaps were beginning to appear but the top three remained the same - Thornton le Dale on 28, Driffield Town A on 26 and Burniston & Cloughton on 24. The final set of matches pitted Driffield Town against Burniston & Cloughton and South Cliff A take on Thornton le Dale. The outcome of the triples saw Thornton le Dale move to 31 and Driffield Town A close the gap to 1 point. So it all came down to the last match - the pairs. Burniston & Cloughton turned the tables on Driffield producing a fine 9-2 victory, so it was Thornton le Dale who were victorious, despite the pairs losing 6-1 to South Cliff A.

After almost 8 hours of action, Thornton le Dale were crowned South Cliff Fives Champions 2021 with 31 points from Driffield Town A on 30 and Burniston & Cloughton on 27.

Many thanks to everyone who helped on the day - setting up the green, in the kitchen, running the raffle, the scoring and tidying up. Also thanks to the clubs for entering what was an excellent day’s bowling.