Our Gayler cup is now well under way. Last night we had our four semi-finalists battle it out at Hatfield for a place in next week’s final. We had two Greenwood teams who had taken first and second spot in the first division in the Barnet League along with the Northiam team who took third place and our division two winners Shillington Red Robins. Let’s see how these four got on. You would say that there should be at least one Greenwood team in the final. Read on to see how the games went.
On mat two we had Shillington Red Robins Trevor, Michelle and Neil playing Greenwood Peckers Audrey, Brian and Mark. The first end was a disaster for the Robins and a triumph for the Peckers who took a hotshot six to start their campaign for that place in the final. Robins gave themselves a shakeup, ate a few worms and halved their deficit with a triple on end two. They followed that with a second triple and it was all square and game on. Peckers regained the lead with a single but Robins held a double on end five and took the lead after such a disastrous start. They followed that with a single to be 9 - 7 up going into the last end. Peckers then attacked and managed to hold on to the last end with a single. However what a turnaround Robins had won the first set 9 - 8. The second set started and Robins continued this game by taking another triple which they followed with a second. They then held a single on the third end and were 7 - 0 up. Peckers finally got their campaign started by taking end four for a single. They followed that with two more and had reduced Robins lead to 7. - 3 with one end to play. Peckers attacked the last end and the bowls kept rolling in. Holding a triple they had reduced Robins win to a single shot at 7 - 6. Shillington Red Robins had totally turned it round. After starting by going down for a six they had won the first semifinal and a place in the final by winning both sets.
Mat three and our second semifinal between Northiam East’s Mike, Jan and Martin and Greenwood Hawks, Barry, Val and Darren began. East took the first end for a single and followed that with a second. End three and East continued in the right direction with a double. Following that with another single they were 6 - 0 up with two ends to play. East continued their run, holding another single on end six they were 7 - 0 up and had won the first set as there was no way back for the Hawks who were yet to win an end. Set two started and East held another single. Can Hawks get on the scoreboard we wonder? The second end saw Hawks break their duck and hold a single. They then took the lead with a second single following which they held a third. East fought back and took end five for a single to reduce their deficit to a single shot. The penultimate end saw Hawks increase their lead with a fourth single. Going into the last end with Hawks 4 - 2 up it was all to play for. East adjusted their compass and attacked. Holding a double on the last end they had forced a draw in the second set. However a draw was not enough for the Hawks. With a win and a draw Northiam East had become our second finalist.
Well what an exciting two semifinals we had last night. Shillington Red Robins turned around a disappointing start and Northiam East prevented Greenwood Hawks from taking an end in their first set. So there you have it next week’s final will be between Shillington Red Robins and Northiam East with not a Greenwood team in sight. Why not come along to watch the culmination of our Gayler Cup. It should be an exciting final. I know I will be there.
Best Wishes from the Webmaster.👀