West Sussex bowlers reach national semi-finals

They started strongly, winning three of the four games in the first session and losing the fourth only by a single shot.

They carried on this form in the second session winning two and drawing one of the four games to lie in a strong position at lunch, leading 11-5.

The third session saw Essex fight back in both singles but West Sussex fought grimly to take narrow wins in both – and with a good win in one of the pairs, plus the bonus points in both disciplines, they lay 21-7 with one session to go and had the match already won.

Essex chose to play the final session of games despite having already lost overall and with little incentive West Sussex could only manage one win which gave them an overall victory by 25-15 and a semi-final coming up against Cornwall.

In the singles Infinity’s Jack Rollings won 24-6 and 13-12 while club-mate Chris Page lost 13-12 and won 14-10.

In the pairs The Martlets’ Chris Blackman and Mel Lillywhite won 16-12 and lost 16-6 while the Infinity pairing of Charlotte Rollings and Richard Jeffery won 21-6 and 19-5.

In the triples Lavant’s Jackie Lee won 18-4 and lost 13-8 while the Southbourne combination of Karen and Dave Alner and Antony Bull lost 14-8 and 16-5.

In the fours Southbourne’s Audrey Bull with The Martlets’ Malcolm Rollings and Lavant’s Peter Winter and Peter Whale drew 11-11 and won 14-12 while Infinity’s Denise Kirby with Southbourne’s Robin Armstrong won 14-4 and lost 13-12.

ARUN

The honours were fairly well shared when Arun played the 21 Club, with each team winning on three rinks. But the 21 Club came out on top with a 148- 97 win over the parent club.

The 21 Club team comprises players who have been members for 21 years or more. Ironically, current records show that since the bowling club was formed in 1983 there are 21 members ‘still standing’, with 14 of them still bowling regularly.

* In the County League, Arun ladies played Adur IBC at home and gained ten of the 11 points available.

Scores: D Mitchell, B Collins, B Spicer & A Janman won 31-13; C Hobbs, J Taffurelli, M Phillips & D Latter won 22-12; M Bonney, M Bacon, B Jones & M Richards won 24-10; L Curtis, J Foster, S Jones & S Miles lost 12-21; I Brooker, S Stocker, G Conley & W Adams won 24-14.

In a mixed friendly Arun entertained a touring side from Weymouth & District. A pleasant afternoon ensued which was thoroughly enjoyed by all players.

HUNSTON

Hunston 54 Crablands 46

An enjoyable friendly went the way of Hunston.

Scores: T Hack, P Guyatt C Butler won 27-7; B Hodnett, M Biggs, E Whiting lost 23-12; D Greenfield, J Stubbs, A Harle lost 16-15.

BOGNOR GOODWOODS

So far this year both Goodwoods teams have had some success but also suffered defeats.

The Greens did well to take the six points on offer when they defeated league leaders Lavant Red. However in the quarter-final of the county knockout cup, Goodwood Rocks lost by a single shot on the final end to Martlets.

Although the Silver team are struggling to maintain their league position the squad playing as the Magpies in the plate of the county knockout cup defeated Norfolk Lions, who play in a higher division, to qualify for the semi-final.

Although Peta Watters, Jean Morgan, Francis Hollibone and Peter Watters lost by 14 shots, the rink of Jean Harbut, Avril and Ben Tyrie skipped by Gareth Morgan won three shots on the last couple of ends to give them a two-shot victory overall.

The semis and final will be held on April 1 at Westergate.

LAVANT

Lavant Blue 38 Crablands Bitterns 42

Lavant played host to Crablands Bitterns and on mat one took the honours with a score of 26-16 but on mat two the position was reversed with Crablands winning 26-12.

On the friendly mat, Crablands proved too strong for Lavant and took the score 22-16.

Bognor Goodwoods Green 30 Lavant Red 24

Lavant Red played away to Goodwoods Green, who got the better of their visitors on both rinks. Mat one lost 20-11 while on mat two it was 39-13 to Goodwoods.

The friendly on mat three went Lavant’s way 30-23.

Lavant 55 Walberton 44

Lavant’s friendly against Walberton was, as usual, an enjoyable evening. Mat one saw Lavant win 22-15. Mat two won by a wider margin of 29-8 and mat three saw Walberton defeat Lavant 21-14.

DONNINGTON

Donnington visited Nyetimber and lost 73-44.

Representing Donnington were Alan James, Colin Dean, Alison Beal and skip Brian Taylor; Steph Baverstock, Adrian Hawley, Allan Banham and skip Peter Skinner, plus Innes Taylor, Maggie Maggs, Mike Beal and skip David Turner.

Brian Taylor was the Donnington captain.

Donnington lost 35-34 at home to Arundel. Sue Coley was captain for Donnington.

Scores: Steph Baverstock, Alison Beal, Mike Beal and skip Terry Haigh lost 20-18 to John Kinnard, Audrey Oliver Pat Vincent and skip Alan Emery; Mat 2 Marion Corbett, Sue Coley, David Turner and skip Peter Skinner beat Eddie Walmsley, Margaret Berge, Mark Stephens and skip Chris Hill 16-15.

* Donnington played their spoon drive. A total of 18 members took part and the spoon was won by Colin Dean. Chris White was runner-up.

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