England under-21s bowl along to West Sussex

The county field mainly Premier and A team players but the under-21s were unbeaten this season and were looking for a good workout in preparation for their international against Wales later in the campaign.

The under-21s brought 28 players and the match was played over five sessions. In the first, West Sussex, taking advantage of their home mats, got off to an excellent start winning six out of the eight games to lead 12-4.

They continued this excellent form in the second session, winning six and drawing one for a 13-3 advantage on the session. The strong form continued with a 9-3 lead in the third session and 10-2 in the fourth session to leave West Sussex in an unassailable position.

These games were shared 8-8 for a final convincing win for West Sussex 52-20 and 420-282.

It was a very enjoyable day for all with some excellent play by the England youngsters, a number of whom were in their early teens, and a good workout for them.

ARUN

A Sussex League game at home to Worthing Pavilion resulted in a very good win for Arun by 170-41. Arun took all 11 points available.

Scores: P Corkett, S Stocker, L Hathaway & M Richards 18-15; D Mitchell, P Rampton, J Taffurelli & B Spicer 36-4; I Broker, W Adams, B Collins & A Janman 41-4; C Hobbs, M Phillips, B Jones & S Miles 29-10; V Greenaway, M Bacon, S Judd & D Latter 46-8.

CRABLANDS

Newly-formed Crablands Avocets started the season in style, taking all six points from a 41-32 win against Southbourne.

With some good bowling by Southbourne and a few nerves at the start of the game, rink one were behind but Celia Foot, Harry Stead, David Harding and Alan Foot eventually won 21-15 against Pete Jasinski, Joan Frost, Irene Jennings & Alan Williams (skip).

On rink two, Joan Taylor, Bill Merritt, Peter Latchford and Don Jonas persevered and were 20-17 winners over Mary Thornton, John Staker, Margaret Odell & Dave Young (skip).

Crablands’ Friday night fish and chips evening was a huge success with more than 60 attending.

Crablands played Bognor Rocks in the West Sussex knockout and they won 43-33.

Scores: Joyce Abel, Dave Harding, Mollie Back and Martin Hunt lost 23-20; Denise Merritt, Marion Hatch, Bill Merritt and Reg Hatch won 23-10.

A friendly away to Donnington ended in a 41-37 victory.

Scores: Tony Heritage, Jan Obermayer, Terry Axworthy and Peter Blackman lost 20-19; Meg Pocock, Ted Murrell, Joyce Heritage and Wally Obermayer won 22-17.

SOUTHBOURNE

Comptons 35 Southbourne ‘Rangers’ 47

Southbourne Rangers had an excellent away win against Comptons in division two of the West Sussex Winter League.

In their first match of the new season, Rangers won on one mat, drew on the other and won overall by 12 shots to earn five points.

On one mat Southbourne picked up three shots on the final end to draw thanks in part to a lovely last wood by the skip.

Scores: Audrey Bull, Dave Walter, Robin Armstrong & Dave Alner (s) drew 20-20; Karen Alner, John Hardy, Andy Smith & Rodney Bull (s) won 27-15.

LAVANT

Lavant opened the season with two first-round matches for the league KO competition.

Lavant B went to Mannings Heath and lost 41-38. Mat one lost 18-15 and mat two drew 23-23.

Lavant A, away to Southwater, won 53-29. Mat one struggled but took the last end 21-20. Mat two were much too strong and won by 23 shots. Southwater won the friendly by two shots.

LAVANT A: Mat one, P Winter (skip), T Bleach, R Pierce, J Simms; Mat two, P Whale (skip), P Beardmore, J Powell, R Harding. Friendly, J Lee (skip), M Winter, E Keane, P.Lee.

LAVANT B: Mat one, J Sharrod (skip), J Lee, M Winter, C Beardmore. Mat two, T Boxall (skip), B Wallsgrove, P Sharrod, L Kneale.

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