Middleton stage day of bowling fit for a president (and a captain)

Blessed with sunny weather, Middleton held their annual president-versus-captain’s charity match in front of a full house.

This year’s sponsored charity was Chestnut Tree House and as a favourite charity of the club’s president, Ann Steventon, it was only fitting that Ann’s team came out on top.

Having fun was more important than whom won – and everyone did.

Middleton 43 East Preston B 50

It is going down to the wire! Having lost to Marine Gardens, Middleton’s men needed to beat East Preston to ensure they do not finish bottom of the Littlehampton Gazette League division three.

Unfortunately, in a close-fought but rain-shortened match, East Preston edged it, taking six points to EP’s four.

Whether Middleton lift themselves off the bottom now depends on the outcome of their last match, against Witterings.

Scores: J Wilson, J Graham, P Lush & A Nurse won 11-8; N Robertson, J Beavan, D Wilkins & G Addicott lost 18-8; K Baker, B Bravington, V Garhard & B Jackson lost 15-12; M Feneley, G Steventon, D Gower & T Finch won 12-9.

CHICHESTER

Chichester Bowling Club held a successful finals day.

In the men’s singles handicap Brian Butler took on fellow eight-handicapper Ricky Hobbs. Butler raced into a 6-0 lead but Hobbs fought back to take an 8-7 advantage. Butler then dominated, losing only one more end and winning 21-9.

In the men’s veterans’ singles Mike Bayfield (handicap seven) held a slender one-shot lead over Keith Burt (five) after six ends. Bayfield steadily built up his score and with Burt adding only the odd single, Bayfield triumphed 23-8.

In the men’s club pairs Peter Doust and Derek Leach took an early 9-4 lead, but Les Edmonds and Peter Howick pegged them back and it was 10-10 after 11 ends. Edmonds and Howick pulled away to take the title 22-14.

Derek Leach went 8-3 up against Brian Butler in the men’s two-wood singles. Butler edged his way back into the game to level the score at 9-9 after 15 ends. Butler went on to win the last four ends to take victory 15-9.

Ricky Hobbs played Peter Whale in the men’s championship singles. Hobbs led 9-2 after eight ends. The next nine ends were even with Hobbs moving 16-7 ahead. Whale slowly eased back into the game and took the trophy with a two winning 21-19.

The men’s singles plate was close between Bernard Money and Keith Burt. The score was 5-5 after eight ends and 15-15 after 23. Burt picked up a three, but Money took the next four ends to win 21-18.

Mike Bayfield and Mick Page were receiving one shot from Ricky Hobbs and Derek Leach in the men’s invitation pairs.

Bayfield and Page were 7-5 up after six ends and pulled away to lead 19-7 after 12. Hobbs and Leach fought back to 19-14 down before Bayfield and Page edged away to triumph 24-14.

CRABLANDS

Crablands 44 Chichester 41

Crablands narrowly took the overall win in their league game against Chichester, picking up four points.

Scores: C Lewendon, J Lindley, J Rawlins, C Bowles lost 24-16; V Tyrrell, S Jones, S Blyth, M Brown won 28-17.

Crablands 103 Chelmsford 134

On a sunny but windy afternoon, Crablands played host to a touring side from Chelmsford with mixed results.

Scores: P Osborn, L Lewendon, Y Clifton, R Shambrook lost 26-16; V Tyrrell, C Garland, S Jones, J Harman won 18-16; B Keen, M Whittle, I Jones, M Heasman won 20-17; C Lewendon, I Smith, R Osborn, D Adams lost 31-17; J Tyrrell, D Jones, J Taylor, S Blyth lost 24-19; P Jones, D Jonas, J Hy Harman, A Blyth lost 20-13.

Crablands 49 Pagham 33

In the C&M League Crablands won on both rinks taking six league points.

Scores: C Lewendon, V Tyrrell, S Jones, S Blyth won 27-12; M Back, J Harman, J Lindley, M Brown won 22-21

Crablands 16 Pagham 55

In the BM League, Pagham got revenge winning impressively on both rinks and taking all the points.

Scores: M Bateman, V Foyle, R Shambrook lost 29-10; S Brooks, R Osborn, D Muncey lost 26-6.

Witterings

Field Place 76 Witterings 96

Witterings men had a splendid win in the Littlehampton Gazette League division three. Witterings won on three rinks and by 20 shots overall. Witterings gained eight points.

Scores: G Morgan, M White, F Knotts & J Hostler (s) won 27-19; A Gander, T Mulligan, J Langworthy & R Stephens (s) won 28-18; F Bray, S Hooker, E Shoyer & J Slogrove (s) won 27-10; P Chivers, C Jelf, L Bangs & D Bell (s) lost 29-14.

Witterings 66 Maltravers 37

Witterings men had a fine win in the Littlehampton Gazette League division three. In a match shortened by rain, Witterings won on three rinks, drew on one and won by 29 shots. Witterings gained nine points.

Scores: G Morgan, M White, F Knotts & J Hostler (s) won 23-4; F Bray, S Hooker, E Shoyer & J Slogrove (s) drew 14-14; P Chivers, C Jelf, L Bangs & D Bell (s) won 12-11; J Hardy, A Gander, J Langworthy & R Stephens (s) won 17-8.

Witterings 79 Worthing Pavilion C 84

Witterings men lost in a Littlehampton Gazette League division three match. Witterings won on one rink, drew on another and lost by five shots to take three points.

Scores: G Morgan, B Curtis, F Knotts & J Hostler (s) won 29-15; F Bray, T Mulligan, E Shoyer & J Slogrove (s) drew 22-22; P Chivers, C Jelf, L Bangs & D Bell (s) lost 22-15; J Hardy, A Gander, S Hooker & J Langworthy (s) lost 25-13.

Witterings 84 Hook & Southborough 105

Witterings played a five-rink friendly in lovely weather but lost overall by 21 shots.

Scores: P Chivers, R Hanbury, L Bangs & J Langworthy (s) lost 21-16; F Bray, T Nixon, P Hutton & C Tuffin (s) lost 20-18; J Edwards, J Bangs, E Shoyer & J Slogrove (s) lost 21-13; G Porter, C Jelf, M Mulligan & C Horsley (s) won 23-20; P Wiggins, T Mulligan, F Knotts & M Aylward (s) lost 23-14.

Witterings 138 Chelmsford Tourists 116

Witterings had an enjoyable match against Chelmsford tourists and won by 22 shots.

Scores: M Corbett, V Hooker, L Bangs & D Bell (s) lost 28-16; M Gough, B Curtis, E Shoyer & C Horsley (s) won 29-12; C Porter, T Mulligan, P Hutton & C Tuffin (s) lost 25-18; M Lillywhite, J Derkatsch, S Hooker & M Aylward (s) won 26-22; J Edwards, M Thresher, D Leach & J Slogrove (s) won 29-9; L Swift, P Lillywhite, M Mulligan & J Hostler (s) drew 20-20.

Maltravers Ladies 31 Witterings Ladies 42

Witterings ladies had an excellent win in this C&M League match s. Witterings won on both rinks and won overall by 11 shots to claim six points. In a friendly, Witterings ladies won by nine shots.

Scores: J Edwards, J Mulligan, R Hanbury & M Aylward (s) won 19-17; J Bangs, M Mulligan, P Lillywhite & C Tuffin (s) won 23-14; K Nixon, A Miles, V Hooker & D Leach (s) won 23-14.

Worthing Pavilion Ladies 37 Witterings Ladies 35

In a C&M League match, each team won on one rink and the home team won overall by two shots. Witterings gained two points.

Scores: M Corbett, V Hooker, D Leach & M Aylward (s) lost 20-16; J Edwards, J Derkatsch, R Hanbury & C Horsley (s) won 19-17.

Worthing Pavilion Ladies 37 Witterings Ladies 34

Witterings Ladies played a friendly triples match against Worthing Pavilion. Witterings lost by three shots.

Scores: A Miles, J Bangs & C Tuffin (s) won 24-17; J Mulligan, M Mulligan & P Lillywhite (s) lost 20-10.

Witterings Ladies 37 Marine Gardens Ladies 41

In a C&M League match, each team won on one rink and the visitors won overall by four shots. Witterings gained two points.

Scores: M Corbett, V Hooker, D Leach & M Aylward (s) won 23-11; J Bangs, M Mulligan, P Lillywhite & C Tuffin (s) lost 30-14.

Chris Horsley from the Witterings club has won the Sussex ladies’ unbadged singles – a fantastic achievement.

ALDINGBOURNE

Aldingbourne 48 East Preston 38

Aldingbourne won on both rinks in a ladies’ C&M League match, gaining six points.

Scores: B Cunningham, M Richards, L Hathaway, J Whetstone won 25-17; E Taylor, P Wyatt, M Taylor, J Hamilton won 23-21.

Aldingbourne 37 Arundel 25

Aldingbourne ladies took another six points when they won on both rinks in a C&M League match.

Scores: A Howson, M Richards, L Hathaway, J Whetstone won 16-14; E Taylor, P Wyatt, M Taylor, J Hamilton won 21-11.

25 people took part in the club’s annual ladies day which was played in very changeable weather conditions.

Despite a delay due to a lightening storm an enjoyable time was had by all. The semi-finals of Marion Richards against Olive Fidgeon and Janet Heasman taking on Elizabeth Taylor were played after an excellent lunch prepared by the gentlemen of the club.

In the final, Richards was declared the champion after beating Taylor by a very narrow margin.

BOGNOR

Bognor travelled to Worthing Pavillion for a six rink mens fours against Sussex VP’s. Bognor won three rinks, VP’s two and one rink drawn. Total shot score 125-104 in Bognors favour.

Scores: R Lincoln, D Dalton, D Matkins, T Gackill won 32-9, B Harvey, T Love, B Sanford, J Roots won 22-14, N Burchfell, N Waddock, D Ford, R Bell lost 16-26, D Parker, A Knight, A Hall, R Gardner drew 22-22, A Harrison, G Herrington, J Edwards, J Whitfield won 20-16, R Bobbitt, J Taylor, T Rexstrew, A Richardson.lost 13-17.

Bognor A team took on the club’s B team and in a highly-competitive match the rinks were drawn two each. But with a shot score of 77-56 the A team took the match.

Bognor ladies were away to Chichester Ladies in the C&M match. The home team won on both rinks with a shot score of 47-35

Scores: B Reardon, J Whitfield, P Jones, M Phillips lost 18-24, J Taylor, B Charlesworth, A Parry, J Spiers lost 17-23.

BROOKS MOTORS LEAGUE

In Division 1, Chichester briefly moved into top spot but lost that position to second placed Norfolk when Norfolk took all six points in their game at Priory Park. Pulborough also took six points in their last game at Pagham to move into second spot. With Chichester having two games remaining, both at home, and Norfolk one, also at home the title could well be decided on shot difference.

At the bottom of the division, Fishbourne look likely to be relegated along with either Crablands or Pagham.

In Division 2, both Arundel and Middleton Sports are now guaranteed promotion but with one game each left to play and only one points separating the two teams the title is still there to be won.

Results: Division 1 - Pulborough 26 (0pts), Pagham 30 (6pts), Brown 15 – Livermore 17; Adsett 11 – Adams 13. Fishbourne 30 (0pts) Chichester 33 (6pts), Wallsgrove 14 – Bayfield 15; Winter 16 – Spicer 18. Fishbourne 40 (4pts), Pagham 23 (2pts), Winter 25 – Mayoss 5; Massey 15 – English 18. Pulborough 41 (6pts), Fishbourne 25(0pts), Brown 23 – Massey 11; Adsett 18 – Gaffney 14. Pagham 55 (6pts), Crablands 16 (0pts), Livermore 26 – Muncey 6; English 29 – Shambrook 10. Chichester 29(0pts), Norfolk 39 (6pts), Spicer 17 – Collins 21; Bayfield 12 – Botting 18. Pagham 28 (0pts), Pulborough 34 (6pts), Mayoss 13 – Salmon 18; Stocker 15 – Brown 16.