Hertfordshire held this year’s County Club 7’s Competition at Stevenage this Sunday the 09th February. This is the second year of this competition that was inaugurated as part of our 25th year celebrations. We had eight teams entered representing six of our counties clubs. The eight teams were split into two groups of four with each team playing three rounds in the morning session. The format of this competition is that each team consists of seven bowlers who play across two mats as one fours and one triples. The fours games are over seven ends and the triples are over nine ends. Group one had teams from Shillington, Northiam, Harpenden and St Margaret’s. At the completion of the morning session Shillington had won five of their six mats and drawing the sixth they topped their group with eleven points, Northiam were in second place with six points. Group two had teams from Greenwood, Letchworth, a Club mix team and a second Shillington team. After all playing their three matches in the morning, Greenwood had top spot in the group impressively winning all six mats with a score of twelve points. Letchworth had second spot with a score six.
Following a break for lunch we entered the Semi Finals.
Semi Final one had Shillington playing Letchworth. Letchworth’s triples of Lisa, Andrew and Alan Hare beat Shillington’s triple of Trevor, Julia and Neil 8 – 2 on mat one. Letchworth’s fours of Bev, David, Margaret and Alan Spicer beat Shillington’s four of Paul, Clive, Michelle and Bill in a closer game with the score of 6 – 4 giving Letchworth the win and the first place in the final with a combined score of 14 – 6.
Semi Final two had Greenwood playing Northiam. Northiam’s triple of Pat, Jeff and Dennis beat Greenwood’s triple of Doreen, Audrey and Brian 14 – 4. However Greenwood’s four of Sue, Mike, Barry and Val beat Northiam’s four of Mike, Margaret, Jan and Brian 15 – 6. Adding together the two scores this gave Northiam the narrow win at 20 – 19.
We were now all set for our final with Northiam playing Letchworth. The hall was buzzing as our final was being played. With all the remaining players watching this final we were all recalculating the scores in our heads as each end finnished. With the lead changing hand several times it was an exciting final. The triples finished first with a Letchworth win at 11 – 4. With six additional spectators the fours mat finished their seventh end with a win for Northiam at 10 – 3. A quick use of our fingers and a few toes, it was apparent we had a draw at 14 all. So an additional end was played on both mats. The triples finished first with a win by Letchworth with two shots. The fours then came to an end and three shots were declared for Northiam making them the second team to get their name on the trophy winning after playing a combined total of eighteen ends by one shot.
We are now all looking forward to the next County Club Competition the Gayler Cup which will be played following the completion of the Barnet League. Can all club fixtures secretaries please get their teams registered with Darren Stanford so that he can start organising this competition.
On a final note we should all send our thanks to Darren who had the whole day well organized. Not only that he did not play as he was supervising and umpiring. He could continuously be seen moving from one mat to another with his kit box as the call ‘Umpire’ rang out consistently. Well done Darren.