SIX COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP

On Sunday 10 April 2011 the ECCBA Six Counties Championship was held at Braintree Leisure Centre.
The competition involved the six Eastern Counties, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Each county were represented by six rinks (fours), each playing one nine end game against each of the other counties.

Having won the ECCBA league title a few weeks previous and being the holder of the Six Counties trophy, Suffolk went into the competition as the team to beat.

The first session opposition were Cambridgeshire, who had been the league runners-up. It was Suffolk who made the better start, particularly in two games where they eased away to 10-4 and 13-4 wins. The other games were closer, but two were lost 11-5 and 9-6. However the other two games went Suffolk's way 10-7 and after a tense final end, 6-5. Overall Suffolk were delighted with their eight point return which had earned them an early lead.

Next up for Suffolk were Essex, they had beaten Suffolk in their last league match and were arguably the form team. The session turned out to be a complete disaster for Suffolk as they failed to gain control of any of the games. Two games went comfortably to Essex, defeats of 11-5 and 14-4. The other four games were closer and on another day Suffolk may have secured more than the two draws (5-5 and 10-10) they got. Despite keeping in touch, the other games were lost 8-6 and 11-9. Only two points against Essex would now make it very difficult for Suffolk to retain the trophy.

Suffolk's next games were against Bedfordshire and nothing short of maximum points would be enough. This time the Suffolk rinks got off to a far better start and gradually put themselves into a position where they were able to control all of the games. Four games were won relatively comfortably, scores of 14-7, 14-4, 15-3 and 12-6. The other two games were closer and the result in doubt until the final ends, however the Suffolk rinks held on to win both, 9-4 and 8-5. The required twelve points had been achieved.

In the competition overall Suffolk had stolen top sport with 22 points. However it was very close behind them, Essex (21), Norfolk (20) and Cambridgeshire (19).

Norfolk were next up and they were having a good day, relative to their recent league form. In two of the games Suffolk got off to flying starts and raced away to a 13-6 and 18-3 wins. The outcome of the other four games remained in doubt until the final ends. With fortune not favouring the Suffolk rinks, all four ended in defeat, 8-7, 7-6 11-7 and 10-7. That said Suffolk had not played well enough to earn more than their disappointing four point return.

With one set of games to play, the trophy was still up for grabs. However Suffolk had dropped to fourth with 26 points, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk were co-leaders with 28 and Essex were just behind on 27.
The final opposition for Suffolk were Hertfordshire. It was looking promising as the Suffolk rinks dominated the first two games and convincing wins followed, scores of 13-3 and a fantastic 19-0.

However the outcome of the overall competition remained in the balance. Norfolk and Cambridgeshire were involved in some tight games and Essex were in a very healthy position against Bedfordshire.
Suffolk's four games against Hertfordshire were going right to the wire, with very little separating the rinks. Despite Suffolk's best efforts they could do no better than share the spoils, winning two games 10-5 and 9-6, but frustratingly losing both of the others 9-4.

After a long day's bowling the outcome of the final games had resulted in Essex winning the competition. Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire had all finished on the same points total and it was Suffolk who took second spot courtesy of having scored more shots across the day.

The final scores were:

	Points	For	Agst
Essex	39	246	194
Suffolk	34	278	204
Cambridgeshire	34	262	225
Norfolk	34	227	250
Hertfordshire	27	214	261
Bedfordshire	16	197	289

It had been a disappointing day for Suffolk. They had bowled well at the start against Cambridgeshire but followed that up with some inconsistent performances against Essex. Whilst the situation was recovered with good wins over Bedfordshire, the performance level dropped again in the games against both Norfolk and Hertfordshire and that had cost valuable points. On a positive note there had also been some good individual performances and no shortage of effort or team spirit throughout the day.

After the summer break the current Suffolk squad will be looking forward to the ECCBA Teambowl in September and then the National County Championships in November.

Neil Jolly (County Captain)

ESSEX v SUFFOLK

On Sunday 20 March the Suffolk team played their final league match of the season, at Braintree Leisure Centre against Essex in a top of the table clash.

Suffolk went into the match top of the league, knowing that twelve points would be enough to secure them the ECCBA league title.

In the first session the home team started well and put Suffolk under immediate pressure. Whilst all of the games were low scoring, in only one of them could a Suffolk rink gain a healthy lead, going on to win 8-4. The other two games went to the home side, 11-5 and 7-5.

There was an improved start in the second session for Suffolk with two of their rinks racing away to early advantages. In one game the lead was protected for a 12-4 win and in the other it was increased to a massive 18-6 win. Unfortunately it was not a clean sweep for Suffolk as the other game was lost 14-6.

The third session turned out to be a nightmare one for Suffolk as all three games went to Essex. That didn't tell the whole story though. There was very little in any of the games but the home team getting a few lucky breaks tipped the games in their favour. However the scoresheet still showed three defeats, 11-6, 8-6 and 8-7.

At half way it was 12-6 to Essex and they had deserved to be ahead. Twelve points still looked a long way away and Suffolk knew they would have to up their game.

The fourth session saw an improvement from Suffolk, except in one game where they crashed to a heavy 17-4 loss. The other two games were a lot closer and went to the final ends. With a superb penultimate bowl the Suffolk skip gained a single shot to earn a deserved 8-8 draw. Meanwhile in the other game it was a composed final end that resulted in a slim 7-6 win.

In the fifth session it was Suffolk who made the better start. Again one game was lost, 11-6. However Suffolk were controlling the other two games and forcing their opponents to make mistakes for the first time in the day. The games went to the last ends, but the Suffolk rinks held their nerve to record 10-5 and 9-5 wins.

The magic figure of twelve points had finally been reached, it had been hard work.

To finish the day, the last session was shared. One drawn game 6-6, a Suffolk win of 12-6 and loss of 10-6.

Suffolk had lost the match 20 - 16 (shots 147 - 141, against).
Whilst it was disappointing to lose the match, credit has to go to the Essex team who had played their own mats particularly well.

The Suffolk team had done enough though to win the ECCBA league title.

It had been a great league season for Suffolk, scoring heavily in their first three matches, before a crucial win over Cambridgeshire. The mix of some new bowlers and experienced heads had worked well, together with a fantastic team spirit. The Suffolk squad can be very proud of their efforts.

Neil Jolly (County Captain)

SUFFOLK v CAMBRIDGESHIRE

On Sunday 20 February the Suffolk team faced their old rivals Cambridgeshire in a top of the table clash at Bildeston.

Suffolk went into the match top of the league, looking for their fourth consecutive win of the season. This would be their most difficult match so far.

In the first session there was nothing separating the teams after the first few ends. Then in the first game Suffolk started to edge away, winning the last three ends to win 11-4. The reverse happened in the second game, Suffolk losing a low scoring game 7-3. The last game was the most eventful, Suffolk trailing 7-2 after four ends. However fighting back superbly, they didn't lose another end to snatch an 8-7 win.

The second session involving the other Suffolk rinks also saw a very even start. Unfortunately the first game drifted away from Suffolk, unable to recover from an 8-1 deficit they ended up losing 11-7. The second game again saw Suffolk behind, but in winning three of the last four ends they stole an unlikely 7-7 draw. In the final game Suffolk took an early lead and stretched away to a comfortable 10-2 win.

The third session was not a good one for Suffolk, winning only the one game. In the first game a Suffolk win looked odds on, leading 8-3 with two ends to play. However they then conceded six shots to disappointingly lose 9-8. The lead in the second game changed hands a few times, but with an end to play it was level. Again three shots were lost on the final end, Suffolk losing 9-6. The last game was one sided in Suffolk's favour, an early 8-0 lead was protected and the home rink won 12-3.

At the half way stage the 9-9 scoreline reflected a close match between two evenly matched teams. Suffolk knew they could improve in the second half.

The fourth session saw three more eventful games. In the first game Suffolk found themselves 8-2 down, but a spirited recovery followed. Scoring two shots on the final end completed the turn around in a 9-8 win. The second game was lower scoring, but Suffolk controlled the later ends to win 7-5. Meanwhile there was another Suffolk recovery in the final game, a 4-1 deficit was reversed and the game was won 10-5. An important maximum six point session for the home team.

Suffolk then increased their overall match lead in the fifth session with two more valuable wins. One of those wins again followed a slow start, 4-1 behind after three ends Suffolk hit back to win 10-6. The other win resulted from an 11-2 lead which finished with a 12-7 win. The final game was lost 11-7.

The last session was a frustrating one for Suffolk as they were only able to win one game. That was a comfortable 9-4 win in a game Suffolk led from the start. In the second game Suffolk kept losing ends by the odd shot, unable to recover they lost 9-2. The final game saw Suffolk gain the advantage a couple of times, but they couldn't protect it, losing 11-9.

Suffolk had won a high quality match 21 - 15 (shots 147 - 107). It was an important and well earned win which had kept Suffolk at the top of the ECCBA league table.

Suffolk's final league match of the season is away to Essex on Sunday 20 March.

Neil Jolly (County Captain)

SUFFOLK v NORFOLK

On Sunday 30 January the Suffolk team hosted Norfolk at Bildeston in their third ECCBA league match of the 2010/11 season.

Having won well in their first two matches Suffolk were looking to maintain their unbeaten record against an experienced Norfolk team.

The day started badly for Suffolk when their first three rinks were all trailing after a few ends. However as the games progressed performances improved and all the games were tight going into the final ends. In the first game, winning the last six ends resulted in an 11-5 Suffolk win. The other two games were closer, but the Suffolk rinks held their nerve to secure two more wins, both by 7-5.

The second session saw the other Suffolk rinks get off to a better start, but the outcome of the games again remained in doubt until the final ends. In the first game, despite losing seven shots in the last three ends, the Suffolk rink held on to win 10-9. The second game saw the Suffolk rink playing catch-up, but they ran out of ends, losing 9-8. The third game was low scoring and the Suffolk rink just edged it 6-4.

In the third session, the first game saw the Suffolk rink ease away to a comfortable 11-4 win. The second game looked to be another Suffolk win at 5-1 up, but Norfolk fought back well. It needed a very tactical last end single shot for Suffolk to salvage a 7-7 draw. In the other game Suffolk again held an early slim advantage, but Norfolk responded well to lead going into the last end. However with a dramatic last bowl the Suffolk skip somehow scored a double to draw the game 7-7.

At the half way stage Suffolk had a hard earned 14-4 lead. It would need an improved second half performance to secure a match win.

The fourth session saw Suffolk score their second maximum six points of the day. In all three games the Suffolk rinks controlled the majority of the ends and the outcomes never looked in doubt. Three important wins, 13-6, 15-2 and 8-2.

In the fifth session the Suffolk rinks got off to a slow start. The worst of which was a 7-0 deficit in the first game but there then followed a magnificent comeback to snatch an 11-8 win. The second game was a low scoring see-saw affair, where the Suffolk rink conceded an unlucky single on the last end to draw 6-6. It wasn't as close in the other game where some late multiple shot counts resulted in a 14-7 Suffolk win.

Whilst the match was won, Suffolk remained focussed on finishing the day with another maximum return. Maintaining their performance level, early advantages were gained and three wins followed. Winning scores of 12-5, 8-5 and 14-7.

Suffolk had won the match 31 - 5 (shots 175 - 103).

It had been Suffolk's best display of the season so far, an impressive all round team performance which takes them to the top of the ECCBA league table.

Suffolk's next match is a top of the table clash with second place Cambridgeshire, at Bildeston on Sunday 20 February.

Neil Jolly (County Captain)

SUFFOLK v HERTFORDSHIRE

On Sunday 16 January 2011 the Suffolk team hosted Hertfordshire at Bildeston in their second ECCBA league match of the 2010/11 season.

Suffolk were looking to follow up on their great start to the season, when they had won 29-7 away at Bedfordshire in their first match.

The day could not have started better for Suffolk when their first three rinks picked up maximum points in the first session. By the halfway stage of all three games the Suffolk rinks held leads which they were able to protect. Three wins secured, scores of 10-4, 10-8 and 8-5.

Two of the games in the second session followed a similar pattern to the first. The Suffolk rinks gained early advantages and held on to them, winning both 9-5. The other game was more of a struggle, with the Suffolk rink finding themselves six shots behind after five of the nine ends. However they fought back superbly and with two shots on the final end, they secured a hard earned point with a 9-9 draw.

In the third session Suffolk suffered their first loss of the day. Despite taking an early 6-2 lead, losing five consecutive ends resulted in a 9-6 defeat. However it was a different story on the other carpets. In a low scoring game, the Suffolk rink continued to edge away winning 9-2. The other game was very one-sided with the Suffolk rink running away to an incredible 22-1 win.

At the half way stage Suffolk held an impressive 15-3 lead. However many of the games had been close and low scoring, Hertfordshire were playing well enough to suggest that they could win more games in the second half.

The fourth session saw Suffolk score their second maximum six points of the day. Again two of the games were tight affairs, with the Suffolk rinks holding on to early slender advantages to win 9-4 and 7-3. The other game was all but over after just three ends with the Suffolk rink leading 13-0, it finished with a 19-4 win.

In he fifth session Suffolk suffered their second lost game of the day, a disappointing 13-3. However there were two more Suffolk wins in the other games, again early leads proved crucial, resulting in 9-5 and 12-4 victories.

The final session turned out to be Suffolk's worst of the day when the points were shared. The Suffolk defeat was 11-2 and the win was a comfortable 12-4. The last game was a see-saw encounter, with the Suffolk rink scoring a shot on the last end to snatch a valuable point.

Suffolk had won the match 28 - 8 (shots 173 - 104).

It had been a good team performance by Suffolk against a spirited Hertfordshire team who played their part in an entertaining match. Most impressively, the Suffolk rinks had played composed bowls to win many close games throughout the day.

Suffolk are now looking forward to another home match at Bildeston on Sunday 30 January when Norfolk are the visitors.

Neil Jolly (County Captain)

SUFFOLK v NORFOLK

Sunday, 12th December's match against Norfolk was postponed following the sudden death of someone close to the Norfolk team.

The match has now been rescheduled for Sunday, 30th January, at Bildeston.

In the meantime, the other county games have been played as scheduled, the results of which are as follows:

Bedfordshire	7	-	29	Suffolk
Cambridgeshire	21	-	15	Essex
Norfolk	20	-	15	Hertfordshire
1
Hertfordshire	14	-	22	Cambridgeshire
Essex	31	-	5	Bedfordshire
Suffolk		-		Norfolk
1
Current Standings
	Pl	Pts
Essex	2	46
Cambridgeshire	2	43
Hertfordshire	2	29
Suffolk	1	29
Norfolk	1	20
Bedfordshire	2	12

BEDFORDSHIRE v SUFFOLK

On Sunday 28 November 2010 the Suffolk team travelled to Barton-le-Clay to face Bedfordshire in their first ECCBA league match of the 2010/11 season.

Suffolk's 2010/11 squad included some new faces. From Walpole & Cookley, Jon Jordan, James Rous and Ryan Willoughby were all playing their first match.

It was Suffolk's first visit to Barton-le-Clay for a few years and Bedfordshire are always a difficult team to beat on their carpets. It would be a tricky match for Suffolk and a good start would be essential.

The day did get off to a great start for Suffolk when their first three rinks picked up the lines on the carpets quickly and all took early leads. Two of the games finished with comfortable wins of 14-4 and 13-3. Then maximum points were secured when the other game just went Suffolk's way 10-9.

The second session followed a similar pattern to the first with the other Suffolk rinks again adjusting to the carpets well. Again two games saw Suffolk rinks controlling from the start and well deserved wins were earned 11-3 and a convincing 19-2. The other game went to the final end, with the Suffolk rink edging it 6-5.

The third session again reflected the previous two, with Suffolk rinks taking early advantages and holding on to them in two of the games. Those games concluded with 10-3 and 13-1 wins. In the other game the Suffolk rink were always playing catch-up, but in winning the last end they salvaged a valuable point with an 8-8 draw.

So at the half way stage Suffolk held an overall 17-1 lead. However they would need to maintain their performance level, as Bedfordshire were showing enough to suggest that they could win games in the second part of the day.

The fourth session saw Suffolk's first defeat of the day. The rink were behind from the start and were unable to close the gap, losing 11-7. However there was better news from the other carpets with Suffolk rinks winning 11-3 and 10-3.

The fifth session proved to be Suffolk's worst of the day, but that was mostly down to improved bowling by the home team. Two games drifted away from Suffolk rinks, finding themselves behind early on resulted in 12-7 and 9-4 defeats. However two points were gained in the other game, with an 11-3 Suffolk win.

The Suffolk rinks needed to bounce back in the final session to ensure there were no more costly dropped points. The team responded superbly, all the rinks took early leads and didn't look back. Three excellent Suffolk wins of 11-3, 10-6 and 9-6 rounded the day off well.

Suffolk had won the match 29 - 7 (shots 184 - 94).

It had been a good all round team performance by the Suffolk bowlers, with every rink gelling and playing well. Crucially they had got off to great start and despite a "mini-wobble" in the middle of the day, it was a fantastic final result.

Suffolk will be looking to continue their winning start in their next match, at home against Norfolk at Bildeston on Sunday 12 December.

Neil Jolly (County Captain)

SUFFOLK COUNTY TEAM TRIALS 2010

The trials for this season's Suffolk Squad were held at Bildeston on Sunday 10 October.

Entries were up on last year and included the majority of last season's squad and more importantly a number of bowlers who were at the trials for the first time. This would certainly improve competition for places in the squad.

Initially all the bowlers were tested on their ability to play drawing bowls. Across three mats each bowler was asked to bowl three bowls at first a middle jack, then a long jack and a short jack. Every bowl was scored on its accuracy relative to how close it finished to the jack.

Then three other shots were set up. Firstly the spring shot, bowling a wood on to another which was touching the jack to spring it to a designated spot on the mat. The second shot was bowling to designated spots in the corners of the mat. Lastly the take-out shot, bowls placed on the end of a mat had to be taken off with the wood bowled remaining on the mat. Again all bowls were scored relative to how close they came to achieving the shot needed.

After a lunch break all bowlers were then placed into rinks (fours) and each rink played two nine end games on different mats. As before every bowl was scored on its accuracy relative to how close it finished to the shot they were asked to play.

During the day there was a good standard of bowling with impressive scores from many bowlers. The day was also played in an excellent spirit.

The Selection Committee were grateful for the assistance of Keith Armes, Rita Daniels, Andy Gilder, Keith Jolly, Jane and Richard Sago who were the markers all day.

After the trials the Selection Committee of Sally Goodrich, Steven Cain and Neil Jolly met to choose the Suffolk Squad for the 2010/11 season. This proved to be a difficult task given the standard of bowls played at the trials.

Everyone's performance was discussed before a final squad of 26 bowlers was selected. The squad in full is:

Neil Jolly (Brockley) - Captain	Sue Jones (Brockley)
Sally Goodrich (Claydon) - Selector	Jon Jordan (Walpole & Cookley)
Steven Cain (Great Blakenham) - Selector	David Mittel (Great Blakenham)
Don Allum (Great Blakenham)	Andy Pooley (Great Blakenham)
Trevor Bean (Stanningfield)	James Rous (Walpole & Cookley)
Andrew Cooper (Hundon)	Peter Runnacles (Great Blakenham)
Paul Daniels (Kelsale)	Sam Runnacles (Great Blakenham)
Sue Davey (Cockfield)	Tom Runnacles (Great Blakenham)
Colin Fellingham (Cockfield)	Ralph Sadgrove (Hundon)
Sue Gilder (Barking)	John Varden (Old Felixstowe)
Jim Goodrich (Claydon)	Mick Watkins (Barking)
Ellen Grube (Hundon)	Shirley Watkins (Barking)
Ann Hathaway (Hundon)	Ryan Willoughby (Walpole & Cookley)

The squad is now looking forward to their first Eastern Counties league match, away against Bedfordshire on Sunday 28 November.

Neil Jolly (County Captain)