London Southern Counties Shield 2nd Round
Last night saw Bletchley take on Oxford City and County in the second round of the London Southern Counties Shield.
The home team of Alex Squires, Dave Clay, Dean Brookes and Gerry Smyth started slowly trailing 4-12 after 9 ends, meanwhile the in the away team Rhys Lee and Don Savage were joined by Jamie Seymour making his debut for the Town and Dave West both players fresh from playing in the successful Bucks u25 White Rose team win against Oxfordshire that morning had built up a nice 16-7 lead at 9 ends leaving Bletchley with a slender 1 shot lead at the half way stage 20-19 at 9 ends. At this point the home team went on a run of winning 5 ends picking up 11 shots along the way to turn a 4-12 deficit into a 15-12 lead at 14 ends. What’s happening away I hear you ask? Well the away team went on a little run themselves picking up 7 shots and dropping 1 shot in the next 5 ends leaving Bletchley leading 38 -20 at 14 ends. A 1 shot lead to an 18 shot lead in just 5 ends let’s hope the Bletchley boys can hang on to get over the line!!
At this point the away side packed the head with bowls and the away skip was helpless as Bletchley picked up a massive 6 followed by a 3 to lead 32-9 away at 17 ends the home team dropped a few ends to leave their game in the balance at 16 all. Away the town dropped a single and picked up two 1s to leave Bletchley 34-10 up at 20 ends. Not to be out done by the away team the home team picked up a 2 and a 5 of their own to take the lead 23-16 at 20 ends. Oxford admitted defeat and conceded the game with 1 end left to play at each venue leaving the final score 57-26 to the Town.
This sets up a mouth-watering clash with Newport Pagnell in the 3rd round who overcame Bovingdon in the same round
Home
Alex Squires, Dave Clay, Dean Brookes & Gerry Smyth 23-16
Away
Jamie Seymour Dave West Rhys Lee Don Savage 34-10