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December round up

By Robin Evans Tarrant Keyneston SMBC

Friday, 20 December 2019

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tarrant Keyneston SMBC Contributor

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The Kops started the new month with the short trip to Charlton Marshall in Division 2 of the Blackmore Vale League.

The host club has a new name (having finally managed to lose their confusing “Shroton” moniker several seasons after leaving that village) and a new hall. However, any hopes of a new golden era in the league were not helped by the Kops, who ran out winners by an impressive score of 4-2 (43-32).

Monday 9th December saw the Kops travel to Sturlings, again in the BVL. With a return game at home set for the following Tuesday, this was an important few days for the teams currently holding the top two positions in the table, as even at this early stage of the season either one could put themselves in pole position for the title with two good wins.

This time the spoils went to the home side, but an win on Steve Clayton’s mat at least gave the Kops two away points, which could prove valuable when the final tables are prepared. The match score was a 4-2 (50-22) win for the Sturlings.

While the Kops were having a hard time at Stur, the Robbers played their first return fixture of 2019/2020, entertaining West Moors Badgers. Having won 4-2 in the away game, expectations were high, and this proved to be with good reason. On Mat 1, Mike Ackland’s triple led 9-2 after six ends, but 4 successive ends went to the visitors who clawed back to 9-9. The next four ends went to the Robbers, who established a 7 shot lead at 16-9. The Badgers drew closer, but the game swung back and with two ends to play the seven shot lead was restored.

On Mat 2 John Beckford’s four dropped two shots on the first end, and took two further ends to draw level. After going ahead in end 4 they never looked back, and went into the last end with a healthy five shot advantage. Saving the best to last, they finished in style, adding 4 shots to win 18-9.

With two points in the bag, and a 7 shot lead, Mike’s triple restricted the visitors to just one shot on end 19. This left the Badgers needing a final end hotshot to get a drawn mat, and when their lead clipped the wood with her first bowl we knew we could relax. The visitors went on to pick up 3, but with the home mat winning 19-16 maximum points were assured. The final score was a 6-0 (37-25) win.

Seven days later the Robbers again played at home, while the Kops again had an away fixture – this time at Wool. The Robbers visitors were the Tanners, and after drawing at their hall in November we were hopeful of a better result at home.

Things started well, and at the 10 end changeover John Beckford’s triple had a 12-8 lead on mat 2, but this was bettered by Del’s trio, who had already established a probable match winning advantage at 17-3 on mat 1. The final scores were 26-11 on mat 1, and 25-14 on mat 2. A fantastic 6-0 (51-25) win left the Robbers going into 2020 unbeaten in the Blackmore Vale League, and with wins in all home games so far this season.

The Kops visit to Wool did not finish so well, with the Triples losing 31-9 and the Fours going down 14-10. Final score 6-0 (45-19) to Wool.

Another day, another game, as the next evening saw the Kops entertain Sturlings in their final game of 2019. The match was very close, and the final shot difference was just two. This time it was in the Kops favour, so they finished the year with a win. The final score was 4-2 (36-34).

Contact Information

Lorraine King - contact for Short Mat Bowls only

  • 01258-456020

Find Tarrant Keyneston SMBC

Village Hall (Anne Biddlecombe Hall), Tarrant Keyneston, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 9JE

DIRECTIONS

Additional Information

Turn off from the main Blandford to Wimborne road at the crossroads (opposite the True Lover's Knot pub). The Village Hall is on the LEFT hand side of the road, after about a dozen or so houses.