Baldwin and Woodfield both win away, Top Two get Four
Baldwin and Woodfield both won away in week 11 of the Summit Garage Staffordshire Premier Bowls League to put the pressure on the top two. Baldwin won 10-2 at Langley to be just behind the leading pair. Skipper Jim Kernick said “a great team performance at Langley left us with 6 winners and a 10-2 overall aggregate win. This puts us right back in the race and gives a small glimmer of a chance for a top 2 finish. Jon Blakeman played consistently well, resulting in him gaining the best result winning to 6 and MVP for the home side. John Newsome showed signs of a return to form with a resounding win over home skipper Paul Rolls, winning to 11 and probably unfortunate not to get MVP. Shannon Kernick showed great resilience to come back from 18-11 down to then run out and win to 18. So 2 winners in the front four and a minus 5 aggregate left us with a tight battle going into the back four. Our back four then did exceptionally well picking up all 4 winners, leaving us with an overall aggregate of plus 17 which secured the victory. Ryan Walters was awarded MVP for us with his 9 win (to be best winner). Thanks to Langley for their hospitality and credit to the green which was in great condition and running reasonably well considering the awful wet weather we’ve had.”
Woodfield won 9-3 at neighbours Bradmore to put themselves in the promotion race with 3 out of their last 4 games at home. Captain Nick Newey says “I arrived at Bradmore Rec on Monday and noticed that the council had changed their cutting policy and lowered the blades to 14mm and all the body builders present were licking their lips. The match proceeded and Joe Dicken duly took a liking to the corners and beat Ben Dixon 14. Tom Bate struggled to find the pace of the green and was dispatched 11 by the ringer Rob Burroughs (to be best winner). Rob Stewart told me he learnt to play on Bradmore, possibly in an era when his hair was longer and the grass was shorter but he held onto his knowledge and beat Geoff Wylde 10 (to be best winner). John Newey was the last from the front and it took him his usual 8 ends to realise the green was a pudding. After he chose to start reaching it made for an entertaining game but he just fell short to Andy Stevens losing 19. Into the back then and Chris Marshman claims he can throw them further than Steve Backley and saw off the challenge of Jacob Ash. Mark Atkins found the irrepressible Darrell Handley too much, Darrell winning MVP (12). Lee Fez Bevin is currently in scintillating form and took care of Bruno Heath (16 to win MVP) and finally, Nick Newey beat Mark Crook 19. A very good win.”
League leaders Hamstead will be happy with 4 winners at Victoria Park. Marc Franks was their best winner and MVP 6, while for the Park it was Gordon Hawkins with his 5 victory. Triplex also got four winners at Belmont Services with Daniel Bowater best winner 7 and Jack Darling MVP for winning 20. For the home side it was Darren Staley best winner 5 and Richard Baldwin MVP for winning 20.
Hamstead are a point ahead of Triplex, with Baldwin another point behind. Gordon Hawkins and Joe Bown are on 9 wins at the top of the League Averages, and Jonathan Blakeman is out on his own with 5 MVPs.
| Won | Agg | Pts | Home Team | Division One | Away Team | Pts | Agg | Won | H | A | CH | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 133 | 2 | Langley | V | Baldwin | 10 | 150 | 6 | ✓ | |||
| 4 | 131 | 6 | Belmont Services | V | Triplex | 4 | 126 | 4 | ✓ | |||
| 3 | 137 | 3 | Bradmore | V | Woodfield | 9 | 147 | 5 | ✓ | |||
| 4 | 144 | 6 | Victoria Park | V | Hamstead | 4 | 133 | 4 | ✓ |
