The Glos Two Rink Semi Finals and Final are played on one day – this year Sunday 24th September at Gloucester City Bowls Club.
And what a great day I had, started with a large breakfast in the local Wetherspoons and a Costa and cake in the afternoon, …….oops sorry I guess you are more interested in the 2 games 🙂
Well for the second time in 3 years I’m very pleased and proud to announce that Redland Green BC are the winners of the Gloucestershire 2 rink competition – an excellent achievement when you think about the larger and “stronger” clubs than us in Gloucestershire.
Rinks: Jim with Will, Trev and Andy
Josh with Larry, Roger and Calvin
The day started well with the forecast rain holding off and in the morning semi final we came up against Fairford BC (containing at least 4 current or past County Middleton cup players, including last year’s County Singles Champion and National Semi-Finalist, Peter Stinchcomb).
This was a tight game and after the first few ends we were always slightly in front; at 14 ends we were 4 up and I was expecting a stressful last few ends, however on Josh’s rink we picked up a 6 on end 15, then getting two more twos and Jim’s rink keeping it tight the match ended with a whimper and we didn’t need to play the last ends, the score finishing 36-20.
We were now onto the Final against last year’s winners, Coleford.
With windy conditions and tricky lines the green having been “turned round” so we were playing in a different direction from the morning session, this was a struggle for both sides, with Coleford getting the better of it early on.
We were 9 down overall at end 12 (the match is played over 18 ends) and it seemed as though it wasn’t going to be our day, but don’t dismiss Redland! (Some players at Olveston have started calling Andy “the limpet” as he never gives a match up, well I can think of some different names for Andy but this spirit certainly thrives at Redland.)
So never giving up and changing the jack length Jim’s crew won 5 out of the last 6 ends and not to be outdone so did Josh’s crew and we went into the last end 6 up – so my stress levels were lowered and we ended 42-35 and the Cup was ours!
Thanks to all players, to Mike Ingham who stood in for Trev in the previous game and also came up to support. Thanks to Josh for coming back off holiday to play (probably thanks should go to his dad, who had to drive him back from North Wales!). And thanks to Keith Conway ,Wendy and one of previous members Linda Maddison, who also came to support.
Editor’s Note: I will not add anything in my own words but Calvin put the following comment on the WhatsApp Group which I think is appropriate:
“A big thank you to everyone who turned up and supported today. Also a massive thanks for Kev French for all the hard work he has put in this season. Congratulations to all who played today and gave their all in two very tight games. Champions!”
I would also like to share a reply that Larry sent to this message:
“Cheers Calvin. It is with pride that I play for Redland.”
Hear, hear Larry.