Sunday the 17th of August saw the last of this seasons Hertfordshire fixtures with the Jill Quarterman Charity Triples Match. This year our chosen charity was Cancer Research.
Twelve teams entered the competition and these were split into two groups of six. With all teams getting five games in the round robin stage it was all go with play commencing at 09.30. By 13.00 everyone had played four games and we all stopped for a well-earned rest. The charity however was still benefitting, with all bowlers purchasing cakes that had been donated by many of our baking bowlers and everyone buying raffle tickets for the draw that would take place later in the afternoon. With everyone fed and rested play commenced at 14.00 when all twelve teams played their final game of the round robin stage of the competition. Jeff Branch then worked out the final scores ready for the top two teams from each group to progress to the semi-finals.
Semi-final one between Angela Miles, Mick Thrush & Darren Brown and Angie Baird, Barry Thorogood & Val Thorogood was played on mat one. At the end of seven ends with 45 minutes elapsed the team of Angela, Mick & Darren had won through to the final with a score of 7 – 4.
Meanwhile Semi-final two was played on mat four between Dennis Mack, Jeff Branch & Darren Stanford and Tony Gayler, Jan Rogers & Jeanette Gayler. In another fiercely fought game over seven ends our second semi-final winners progressing through to the final were Tony, Jan and Jeanette with a score of 10 – 6.
After a short break we all settled down for the grand final on mat two. Jeanette’s triple started well by taking the first end for a triple, they followed this with a single to go 4 – 0 up. Angela, Mick and Darren fought back and held a four on end three to level the score. Tony, Jan and Jeanette got their heads down and came back with a triple to regain the lead. Angela, Mick and Darren held onto a single on end five and repeated this on end six. End seven started and the timer went to signify that it was the last end. With one bowl to come Angela, Mick and Darren were holding three for the win. Jeanette’s bowl approached the head and slid into second position, by taking a single shot we now had a draw at seven all. An additional end was played with all spectators looking on to see who the winners of this fantastic day of bowling would be. As the last bowl came to rest our winners were declared as Tony, Jan and Jeanette. We must say well done to Angela Miles for making the final of this hard fought competition in her first year of bowling.
Well, what a day, the real winner of course was our chosen charity Cancer Research, we raised a healthy sum of £ 318.00 and we all had a lot of fun as both competitors and as audience for the semi-finals and final. We are all now looking forward to next year when we will be looking to see if we can break that £500 barrier. Well done everyone.