Suffolk v Hertfordshire

Sunday 26th June see the Suffolk team finally play their final match of the season, at home to Hertfordshire,3 months after it was postponed owing to illness. Herts had players missing as a result of pre-booked holidays and were 4 players short, and while the same was true of Suffolk, they were able to field a full team, with a couple of players making their debut. The team consisted of;

S1 – Frank Wilkin, Rita Runnacles, Ellen Grube, Sam Runnacles
S2 – Tony Stephenson, Steve Isles, Mick Watkins, Andy Pooley
S3 – Sue Isles, Bruce Miller, Oscar Mew, Paul Daniels
S4 – Karen Hubbard, A Hemsby, Andy Gilder, Neil Jolly
S5 – Pete Runnacles, Sally Goodrich, Peter Fellingham, Adam Hubbard
S6 – Sue Davey, Jim Goodrich, Ally Hobbs, Tom Runnacles

Suffolk went into the game with a 16 point lead over Hertfodrshire, knowing that just 11 of the 36 points on offer would secure them the league title for a 10th consecutive time.

On paper that should have been an easy enough take, in practice it turned out to be less so.

The first session saw only S3 able to win their game, which they did comfortably 15-3. The other two games were close, but in both cases Suffolk were edged out, S1 lost 7-9, while S5 lost by just a single shot, 9-10. Overall score: Suffolk 2 Herts 4.

It had been a nervous start, and it didn't get any better in the second session. S2 fell to a 7-14 loss, while S4 suffered a narrow 8-9 loss. Thankfully S6 held the Suffolk end up, but only just, as they won 7-6. Overall score: Suffolk 4 Herts 8.

The third session saw a good win for S1, 11-4, but it was an all too familiar story for the other two, S3 lost out by the odd shot, 7-8, while S5 went down 4-8. Overall score at the halfway point: Suffolk 6 Herts 12. Two points per session would be enough to get the job done, but only just.

The second half began much better for Suffolk, two good wins, with S6 winning 13-6, S2 winning 15-4, and S4 only just missing out, losing 7-8. Overall score 10-14, and with Suffolk holding a comfortable shot advantage going into the match, and being up on the day, only a catastrophic final 2 sessions would see the title slip out of their grasp.

The penultimate session was another improvement, two more wins, 12-4 for S5, and 10-4 for S1, while S3 missed out 8-10. Overall score: Suffolk 14 Herts 16. That meant that the title was secured, the task now was to secure the victory on the day.

The final three games were close, but they all went Suffolk's way, S6 won 9-8, S2 7-6, and S4 8-5.

It had been a long, hot day, and one that had started out badly, but finished much better for Suffolk, in what was a classic game of two halves, Herts picking up 12 of the 18 points on offer in the first half, while Suffolk secured 14 out of 18 in the second half.

Congratulations to Suffolk for showing such resiliance in the face of strong opposition, and to Hertfordshire who secured the league runner-up spot.

ECCBA Six Counties

On April 17th Suffolk would travel to Littleport in Cambridgeshire to play the annual six counties event.

The first session would see rinks 1-4 to take on Norfolk. It was a good session, and one where Suffolk would take 7 points from the 8 available. Only S4 would drop a point in a well earned draw.

The next session would see S5 and S6 take on their respective numbers from Norfolk, they continued where the first rinks left off and won both games. The other 2 games would see S1 and S2 beat their opposition from Hertfordshire.

The third session would be a bad one for Suffolk losing 3 of the 4 games played vs Hertfordshire. The only win would come from S3, beating their opposition 10-6.

Session 4 would see S1-S3 take on Cambridgeshire. The session would be tight and this was reflected in the scores. S1 would draw vs their opponents 6-6, S2 would earn a well earned 8-5 win and S3 would go down 11-6 to their opposition.

Session 5 could see Suffolk turn the screw if they could win two games from the next three. S4’s game was never in doubt winding up 25-4 winners. S5 couldn’t quite get on top of their game losing a tight game 8-6. S6 would do enough vs their opponents winning 10-6.

Session 6 would see Suffolk take on the current leaders of the competition, Essex. We would need to play well to beat them. S1 and S3 couldn’t do enough in their games eventually losing 9-5 and 12-2 respectively. S2 and S4 did better in their games winning 9-7 and 9-5. A split session would need S5 and S6 to win their games to apply some pressure to Essex.

Session 7 would see Suffolk apply the necessary pressure to Essex beating both of their remaining two rinks. S5 winning 8-6, S6 winning 12-4. S1 and S2 would play their last game of the day vs Bedfordshire. S1 would take a point and S2 would take two beating their opponents 10-5.

The last session of the day would see S3-S6 take on Bedfordshire. No slip ups and we would win the competition. S3, S4 and S6 would all win their games comfortably allowing S5 to draw and take a point from their last game.

Suffolk were the overall winners again, beating their nearest competition Cambridgeshire by just 3 points. A special well done to S3 who won all their games on the day.

Tom Runnacles (County Captain)

Pts For Agst 1 Suffolk 42 292 186 2 Cambridgeshire 39 259 213 3 Essex 32 225 235 4 Hertfordshire 29 255 215 5 Bedfordshire 21 189 283 6 Norfolk 17 185 273

A full copy of all the day's results can be found here.

Cambridgeshire v Suffolk

Sunday 19th February would see the Suffolk team play their 2nd away fixture season and travel to Littleport to face Cambridgeshire, the team consisted of;

S1 – Sue Isles, Jim Goodrich, Peter Fellingham, Clint Watling
S2 – Frank Wilkin, Andy Gilder, Mick Watkins, Sam Runnacles
S3 – Karen Hubbard, Steve Isles, Andy Pooley, Paul Daniels
S4 – Sue Davey, Rita Runnacles,Colin Fellingham, Neil Jolly
S5 – Pete Runnacles, Ellen Grube, Adam Hubbard, Sue Gilder
S6 – Emma Watling, Sally Goodrich, Ally Hobbs, Tom Runnacles

The first session would see rinks 1, 3 and 5 play. Rinks 3 and 5 started well and controlled their games well winning 12-3 and 10-5 respectively. S1 couldn’t quite do enough losing 13-11.

Session two would see the even numbered rinks take to the mats for the first time today. They started well and ended up winning all 3 games, S2 won a close fought match 7-6, S4 wound up 10-8 winners and S6 with 2 big ends won 15-10 vs their opponents. Suffolk up 10-2 after the first two sessions.

The third session would see Suffolk press their lead even further still with all three teams playing well and winning two games on the last end. S1 would see themselves to a well earned 10-6 win. S3 kept their opposition at bay winning 14-8 but the closest match was the one that S5 went on to win with the last bowl, 7-6 to Suffolk. Suffolk now lead 16-2.

Session 4 would see Suffolk extend their lead slightly but it wouldn’t be 3 wins for Suffolk this session. S2 and S6 both won their games with relative ease 12-1 and 10-4 respectively. It wasn’t plain sailing for S4 though who never really got a foot hold in their game eventually going down 11-6 vs their opponents. Suffolk had now guaranteed the win having reached 20 points.

Session 5 saw the odd numbered rinks take to the mats for the last time today, could they press home Suffolk’s advantage further? Unfortunately for Suffolk this was to be our worst session of the day winning only one game from the three. S5 managed to do what they needed to in a slightly scrappy game winning 11-5. S3 were unlucky not to win their game losing a few key ends eventually would lose 10-7. S1 despite looking completely down and out made the score respectable in the end taking a large count last end to lose 13-10.

In the last session of the day it was important Suffolk didn’t lose focus and lose a second session on the bounce. Another disappointing result for S4 would see them lose 10-5, once again never really getting a foothold in the game. S2 would earn a well earned point in a very close game drawing 6-6. Only 1 point from 4 would need to see S6 win their game to tie the session.

In a very close game S6 had to come from behind in their last 3 ends to overcome their opposition. S6 lead by 2 going into the last end so could afford to drop a single shot only. This was what they did and found themselves 9-8 winners.

Suffolk had won the match 25-11, a good scoreline but one they will slightly disappointed with having once lead 16-2 at the midway stage. Sharing 9 points each in the second half with a Cambridgeshire team that rallied well.
Well done to Frank Wilkin who played his first game for Suffolk, he settled in extremely well and made a good account of himself.

Also well done to S2, S5 and S6 who didn’t lose a game all day. S5 and S6 winning all theirs.
Suffolk’s last game will be at Needham Market on Sunday 19th March where they will host Hertfordshire.

Tom Runnacles (County Captain)

Pl W D L For Agst Pts 1 Suffolk 3 3 0 0 527 359 78 2 Cambridgeshire 4 1 0 3 536 624 59 3 Essex 3 2 0 1 391 443 47 4 Hertfordshire 2 1 0 1 300 249 43 5 Norfolk 2 0 0 2 243 322 25

Norfolk v Suffolk

Sunday 15th January saw Suffolk making the trip to Norfolk for their second match of the new season, the team consisted of;

S1 – Ralph Sadgrove, Rita Runnacles, Mick Watkins, Sam Runnacles
S2 – Sue Isles, Jim Goodrich, Peter Fellingham, Clint Watling
S3 – Tony Stevenson, Steve Isles, Colin Fellingham, Paul Daniels
S4 – Sue Davey, Oscar Mew, Andy Gilder, Neil Jolly
S5 – Pete Runnacles, Ellen Grube, Adam Hubbard, Sue Gilder
S6 – Karen Hubbard, Sally Goodrich, Ally Hobbs, Tom Runnacles

Coming of the back of a good opening win Suffolk were in high spirits travelling to their first away match in several years. They would face Norfolk who would be playing in the usual venue, Wortwell. The mats are tricky and this would prove evident from the off.

The first session Norfolk proved they were not going to lay down against us as they would share the points 3-3. Each team winning a game and drawing one. S1 would be edged out on the last end by a shot, S5 winning comfortably and S3 with a well earned point sharing 6 shots a piece.

Session 2 would see a slightly better Suffolk performance, S2 and S4 both controlling their games well to win 9-6 and 10-5 respectively. S6 started poorly dropping a 5 on their first end and never got a food hold in the game eventually losing 13-5.

Session 3 would see the first win for S1 beating their opponents 10-7, a second win for S5 cruising to an 11-5 win. Unfortunately S3 couldn’t better their first game and wound up losing 11-5 in a game they were always chasing. Another winning session for Suffolk though edging us 11-7 after the half way stage.

Session 4 would see S6 win their first game of the day, a very tight game that wasn’t over until the last end which was closed out to a 7-5 win. S4 came out of the blocks fast and eased their way to a convincing 17-3 win. S2 started well but were slowly pegged back by a dogged Norfolk rink who eventually caught and overtook them. S2 going down 8-4 in the end.

Session 5 would see Suffolk start to turn the screw winning all 3 games in convincing fashion. The first win of the day for S3 taking their game 13-8. S1 would close their game nicely 9-3. More impressively though would be S5 who would thrash their opposition 17-2 closing out all 3 of their games with wins.

The last session would S2 control their game well and runout 12-6 winners. S4 would lose their first game of the day 8-5 to their opposition (who won all their games). S6 were cruising 7-1 only to go into the last end all square. An important last bowl of the match turned potential loss into a win nicking a 2 to close the game 9-7.

A very resilient Norfolk made life very difficult for a Suffolk team who were a little slow out of the blocks. We dug in though and did what we do best and ground out the result to win 25-11. A flattering scoreline which on another day could have been very very different indeed. Well played to both teams and thank you again to Suffolk’s supporters.

Tom Runnacles (County Captain)

Pl W D L For Agst Pts 1 Suffolk 2 2 0 0 354 225 53 2 Cambridgeshire 3 1 0 2 402 451 48 3 Essex 3 2 0 1 391 443 47 4 Hertfordshire 2 1 0 1 300 249 43 5 Norfolk 2 0 0 2 243 322 25

Suffolk v Essex

Sunday 11th December saw the long awaited return of the Eastern Counties intercounty league for Suffolk. Due to the withdrawal of Bedfordshire from this year’s league Suffolk missed the first round of games in November. Suffolk were in high spirits returning to their first competitive league match in just under 3 years, the team consisted of;

S1 – Ralph Sadgrove, Rita Runnacles, Mick Watkins, Sam Runnacles
S2 – Sue Isles, Jim Goodrich, Peter Fellingham, Clint Watling
S3 – Tony Stevenson, Steve Isles, Andy Pooley, Paul Daniels
S4 – Sue Davey, Andy Gilder, Colin Fellingham, Neil Jolly
S5 – Pete Runnacles, Ellen Grube, Adam Hubbard, Sue Gilder
S6 – Karen Hubbard, Sally Goodrich, Ally Hobbs, Tom Runnacles

The first round of games saw S1, S3 and S5 all play their respective number from Essex. S1 started well taking 4 shots from the first three ends only to lose a 5 and a 2 the next 2 ends. They would need to sharpen up if they wanted a result from this game, they did just that leading by two shots, 9-7 going into the last end which they closed out by dropping a single to win 9-8. A poor start from S3 meant they were always chasing this game, they finished strongly picking up 7 shots in the last three ends but it wasn’t enough losing 10-8. S5 started well and controlled the game well only dropping four singles in their game for a comfortable 9-5 win.

S2 asserted themselves early in their opener leading 7-3 by end 4. This was a lead that was build on further winning 11-5 by end 9. S4 vs E4 was to be probably the closest game of the entire day, both rinks playing some excellent bowls. After 5 ends the score was tied at only 3 shots apiece, three ends later the teams still could not be separated at 6 shots each. On the crucial last end the holding bowl changed back and forth with the Suffolk skip shot down with last wood to play, the shot hit the target but the jack didn’t move quite enough and would see S4 lose their first game. S6 came straight out of the blocks tearing to a 6-0 lead after 3 ends, a lead that would extend further as the game went on, finally closing out their game 12-4.

Session 3 was a very comfortable one for S1 as they eased to a 10-3 win over their opponents winning 6 of the 9 ends. A very similar story for S5 as they cruised their way to a 12-4 win in their game. Unfortunately the same couldn’t be said for S3 in their game. 4-4 after 5 ends the game was finely poised only for S3 to lose a 4 on the 6th end. They made a valiant attempt to recover but could only get a 2 on the last end to lose by one shot; 10-9.

At the halfway stage Suffolk were leading 12-6, a lead that we would hope to capitalise on further still in session 4. S2 were in a very close, back and forward game until the 7th end saw them take a 3 followed by a subsequent 5 shots over the next 2 ends to win 13-5. S4 would have another very frustrating game, never truly getting any kind of momentum going and would eventually go down 9 shots to 3. In the other game in this session would see a very dominant performance from S6 winning all but the last 2 ends to wind up 12-4 winners.

In session 5 S1 would see themselves to another win in their final game. Some high scoring ends would see 24 shots scored over 9 ends. S1 having the lion’s share of them winning 15-9. S3 would see an improved performance in their last game with a very convincing 16-4 win vs their opposition. S5 would also join S1 in a clean sweep of their games today controlling their last game well to win 9-6.

After a clean sweep of games in session 5 Suffolk had a chance to really put some pressure on in the last session of games. S2 were in a very tight game up to end 6 where they only lead by a mere 2 shots, end 7 however would put the game beyond Essex as a 6 was scored. The final score was a rather overwhelming 16-4 to Suffolk. S4 would be involved in a very scrappy game that would go to the last end. Suffolk would just about hold on losing a 1 on the last end to win 7-6. A much needed win for S4 that didn’t have the best of days. S6 scored would only score 2 shots in the first 6 ends and really found themselves up against it vs a very competent Essex team. Ends 7 and 8 gave them a glimmer of hope however and saw them bring the score back to 7-5 down with one end to play. The Suffolk skip needed to draw both his bowls close to the jack without reply from the Essex skip if they would salvage a win. The Suffolk skip did draw both near enough to lay the 3 shots needed, they could only stand and watch as the fate of the game was out of their hands now. The Essex skip was short with his last bowl and an unlikely win was complete. A tenacious performance from S6 would see them win all their games and complete a 2nd clean sweep of games bringing the final match score 28-8 to Suffolk. A very good win from Suffolk in their opening game, one which we hope to build on in our next game away to Norfolk.

Well done to Tony Stevenson in his first match for Suffolk. Also well done to S1, S2, S5 and S6 for winning all their games.

Tom Runnacles (County Captain)

2022/23 Suffolk Squad

On Saturday 12th November the Suffolk squad trials took place at Needham Market Community Centre.

After a very tough selectors meeting earlier this week the other selectors and I have reached a decision on the squad for the next year. The squad will consist of 26 players with 24 needed for league matches. The squad is as follows;

Tom Runnacles (Barking) - Captain
Karen Hubbard (Chelmondiston) - Selector
Ally Hobbs (Claydon) - Selector
Ralph Sadgrove (Hundon) - Selector
Paul Daniels (Belstead)
Sue Davey (Cockfield)
Colin Fellingham (Cockfield)
David Ford (Claydon)
Andy Gilder (Barking)
Sue Gilder (Barking)
Jim Goodrich (Claydon)
Sally Goodrich (Claydon)
Ellen Grube (Hundon)
Adam Hubbard (Chelmondiston)
Sue Isles (Claydon)
Steve Isles (Claydon)
Neil Jolly (Brockley)
Oscar Mew (Belstead)
Andy Pooley (Claydon)
Pete Runnacles (Barking)
Rita Runnacles (Barking)
Sam Runnacles (Barking)
Tony Stevenson (Belstead)
Mick Watkins (Barking)
Clint Watling (Claydon)
Frank Wilkin (Hintlesham)

The first league match for the new squad will be the home match against Essex at Needham Market, on 11th December.

Tom Runnacles

2022 National Championships

This year’s event saw a reduction in the number of teams to 8, with Bedfordshire absent owing to the fact their league has only just restarted, and they currently have no squad.

Suffolk would be going for their 8th consecutive Nationals win.

The team were as follows:
A - Ralph Sadgrove, Ellen Grube, Adam Hubbard, Sam Runnacles
B - Emma Watling, Sally Goodrich, Paul Daniels, Sue Gilder
C - Sue Isles, Jim Goodrich, Peter Fellingham, Clint Watling
D - Pete Runnacles, Steve Isles, Andy Pooley, David Ford
E - Sue Davey, Andy Gilder, Colin Fellingham, Neil Jolly
F - Karen Hubbard, Rita Runnacles, Ally Hobbs, Tom Runnacles

Saturday
It was a good start for Suffolk in the first session against Norfolk. A were 6 up in 3 ends, but by 8 ends it was back to 7-6, but they rallied at the end to take the game 12-6. B’s game was close too, 7-6 up going into the last end, but they picked up 4 on the 11th to win 11-6. For C it was a case of once they were ahead, the game was not in doubt, they led from the 4th end onwards, winning 11-8. A full house, although they were all hard fought for. Overall Suffolk were one point ahead of Cambridgeshire.

Against Northumberland there were two huge wins, D went from 5-3 up after 5 ends to 20-4 by the end. For F it was even more emphatic, they picked up a 7, and two 6s on their way to a huge 34-3 win. And E looked to be going the same way, 10-3 up after 7 looked very comfortable, but Northumberland came back, and kept coming back, and in the end got back to a 10-10 draw. One dropped point, but Suffolk had extended their lead over Cambridgeshire to 3 points.

And it was Cambriudgeshire who Suffolk would face in the third session of the day. Block A were never behind, although it was close up to end 8, but they pulled away at the end for an 11-4 win. It was the same for C, 6-3 at 7 ends, they picked up a couple of 4s on their way to a 15-5. B were 5-0 down after 3, but pulled it back to be all square at 7-7 with 2 ends to go, however those last 2 ends didn’t go their way, and they lost 7-10. It was still a winning session for Suffolk, but Hertfordshire had taken the opportunity to close on them, and were now in second, 2 points behind.

Durham were next up, and Suffolk won them all in comfortable fashion. D picked up 4 on the first end, and although their opponents came back from 8-1 down to 9-6 down with an end to go, Suffolk took the game 11-6. E picked upa 6 on the 6th end, giving them a 12-1 lead, and finished 17-5 winners. And F were never in danger, finishing with an 11-2 win. That extended Suffolk’s lead out to 6 points over Herts, with Cambridgeshire one further back.

The fifth session saw Suffolk taking on Essex. The first half of A’s game was close, but from 5-4 up, they pulled away to win 14-5. For B it was a case of grinding out a win, just 12 shots were scored over the 11 ends, but it was 9-3 in Suffolk’s favour. And for C it was a game of two halves, Suffolk were 5-0 up after 4 ends, but 7-8 down with an end to go, but C picked up a 3 to snatch the win 10-8. Overall Suffolk’s lead was now 7 points, with Cambridgeshire moving just ahead of Herts.

The penultimate session was a big one, Hertfordshire could close the gap considerably with 3 wins. It was close at the halfway mark for D, 5-4 up after 6 ends, but they pulled away in the second half to win 14-7. For E it was a different story, 10-0 ahead after only 4 ends, finishing 13-6 winners. And after picking up a 5 on the first end, Found themselves only one shot ahead after 7 ends, and the game was only really settled on the last, with Suffolk picking up 3 to win 12-7. Cambridgeshire matched Suffolk’s 6 points in that session, so the 7 point lead stayed the same, but Herts were now a further 7 points back, so only Cambridgeshire looked like they had a chance to challenge Suffolk for the win.

The day finished with a Sunderland match up. C kept their noses in front after the second end, and won 15-8. B never got into their stride, it was close halfway through, but their opponents won the final 5 ends to take the game 13-4. The final game, for A, was a little different, though Sunderland led early on, it was all square at 6-6 after 8 ends, but with one end to go, Sunderland were 10-6 up which ought to be easily defendable, or so you’d think. But on that final end Suffolk had the upper hand, albeit with woods which weren’t all that close, and in front of the jack. All Sunderland needed to do was cut them down, but sometimes it’s not quite so easy, and amazingly Suffolk held on to 7 shots, to win 13-10. That mean that they finished the day with that same 7 point gap over Cambridgeshire, and 14 points over third placed Hertfordshire.

Sunday
Norfolk were the day’s first opponents. Block D ran out to a big lead quickly, big enough to allow the opposition to take 5 on the last end, and still win 15-8. It was close all the way for E, but they were better over the final few ends, winning 9-6, while F were all square with 2 ends to go, but made the most of them to win 14-8. With Cambridgeshire also getting maximum points, the gap at the top was still 7 points.

Northumberland turned out to be not quite so easy to turn over, as might have been expected. Having said that, A comfortably won their game 23-3, B only really got their noses in front on the 10th end, they won 11-6, and while C were always ahead, it was never by much, they finished 12-9 up. Once again Cambridgeshire matched Suffolk’s points, but further behind, Herts were now 20 points off the lead.

The real crunch time for Suffolk was in the day’s third session, playing Cambridgeshire, who would be able to reduce the gap to just a point if they took all 3 games. As it was they were only able to win one, that was against D, who never really got going, losing the game 6-14. Meanwhile E ran out to a 9-1 lead, before taking the game 11-6, and F, who picked up a 4 on the 5th end, which helped keep their noses in front as they won 10-5. That inched Suffolk’s lead out to 9 points, and short of a massive slip-up they should retain the title.

And that slip-up very nearly happened in the next round, against Durham. C were 4-0 down after 4 ends, but were level after 6, and a couple of 4s on the 7th and 8th ends finally put their noses in front, as they won 14-7. It was close for A until the 8th end when they dropped a 5, to fall 10-6 behind, and going into the last 2 ends they trailed by 5, but they made those remaining ends count, and dragged it back to draw 11-11. And B trailed pretty much throughout their game, and headed into the last 2 ends trailing by 4, but 2 on the 10th end, and 4 on the last, saw them turn the game around to an 11-9 win out of nowhere. With Cambridgeshire only picking up 2 points against Herts, Suffolk’s lead extended further, to 12 points, giving them a full 2 sessions in hand over the only team that could now catch them.

And having survived that, a similar situation emerged against Essex. Of the 3 games, only E had their noses in front all the way through, winning 11-6, while F never recovered from a horrible start which saw them 9-0 down after only 4 ends, eventually losing 7-14. It was not a great start from D either, 5-0 down after 3 ends, they were still 7-4 behind with 2 ends to go, but like B, before them they staged a very late comeback, also picking up a 2 and a 4 on the final 2 ends to win 10-7. With Cambridgeshire also dropping 2 points, Suffolk still led by 12, with just 2 sessions to go.

Hertfordshire were always going to be tough opposition, and so it proved. C had their noses just in front most of the way through, but still needed one on the last end to win 8-7. B trailed 6-2 after 4 ends, but won the next 6, taking the game 12-7, while A pulled their game back from 7-0 down to win 12-8, all of which sealed the overall win for Suffolk with one session to spare.

That final session saw Suffolk up against Sunderland. After a sticky start, D took 7 straight ends, to win 15-3, on the other hand E never got going and fell to a 4-13 loss, while F were absolutely rampant, trouncing their opposition 28-2.

Suffolk finished the weekend on 72 points (out of a possible 84), finishing 15 points clear of Cambridgeshire, and 27 clear of third placed Hertfordshire, for a resounding win, to keep their run of victories going.

While every block contributed to the victory, particular congratulations should go to Clint’s team, who were the only team across the event to win all their games, and to Sam’s team who were the only other team to go undefeated.

You can find a copy of the full results here.

2022 Inter-County Play-Off

Having won the Eastern Counties Championship, in the absence of an Eastern Counties League for 2021-22, Suffolk would be representing the East against the Northern League winners, Sunderland, in Friday night’s game, as a prelude to the Nationals.

Most of the Suffolk teams were off to a decent start, and with 2 ends down, all but A were ahead. Unfortunately, they were 5-0 down after 2 ends, and never got going, with the game drifting away to a 4-15 loss.

After winning the first couple of ends, B first lost their lead, and then drew back level, so that with 2 ends to go it was all square at 7-7, but the last two ends were lost, as was the game, 7-11.

It was a good start for C, and they found themselves 6-2 up after 6 ends, but their opposition pulled back to draw the game 7-7 on the final end. That said, holding on for one point was going to crucial for Suffolk.

D had an even better start, they worked their way to a 7-0 lead after 5 ends, but over the next 5 proceeded to lose it, so that with one end to go it was all square at 7-7. But they rallied to pick up one on the last end, take one, and win 8-7. “It was never in doubt.” according to Mr Ford.

There was another bright start for E, 4-0 up after 2 ends, 8-2 up after 5, but 2 ends later it was 8-7. However, that lead was restored 2 ends later, and any hope of a Sunderland comeback was dashed as Suffolk picked up 6 on the penultimate end, finally winning 19-8.

For F, the result of their game was never really in doubt. By the 4th end they were 9-0 up, and although they managed to drop 8 shots over the last 4 ends, they still came home 14-10 winners.

The final result was a 7-5 win for Suffolk, taking the trophy for the 5th time on the trot, but they only just edged the shots 59-58, showing what a difference the two closest games might have made if the odd shot had gone the other way.

Eastern Counties Championship

On Sunday 26th September, Cambridgeshire hosted what was formerly the Six Counties Championship, although this year, with Bedfordshire not in a position to field a team, there were only 5 counties present.

Suffolk 1 (S1): Sally Goodrich, Emma Watling, Andy Gilder, Sam Runnacles
Suffolk 2 (S2): Ralph Sadgrove, Ellen Grube, Sue Gilder, Paul Daniels
Suffolk 3 (S3): Pete Runnacles, Steve Isles, Colin Fellingham, David Ford
Suffolk 4 (S4): Sue Isles, Jim Goodrich, Adam Hubbard, Clint Watling
Suffolk 5 (S5): Sue Davey, Tony Stevenson, Mick Watkins, Neil Jolly
Suffolk 6 (S6): Karen Hubbard, Rita Runnacles, Ally Hobbs, Tom Runnacles

Session 1
Suffolk had all their blocks playing while the other teams had only 3 blocks competing.

Against Norfolk S1, S2, and S3 all had very close games, but each was able to come home in front, 6-3, 7-5, and 7-6 respectively. The other games were against Suffolks most likely rivals for the win, Cambridgeshire, but things didn't go quite so smoothly. S4 ran out to a 9-0 lead, before dropping a 6, but came back to win 15-7, S5 were always in touch, but never quite managed to get their noses in front, losing 4-5, while S6 were in a similar position until they dropped a 5 on end 7, losing the game 6-10.

Suffolk led the way on 8 points, 4 ahead of Essex and Cambridgeshire, but everyone else had games in hand.

Session 2
Just 3 games this time, and it was against Hertfordshire, who were missing some key players, and had been off to a slow start.

S4 were behind early on, but got ahead in the second half, and took a 9-5 win. S5 were always just in front, winning 7-3, and S6 started slowly, but grabbed a 7-6 win on the last end.

Suffolk now led Cambridgeshire by 8 points, but they had 3 games in hand.

Session 3
Essex were the oppostion this time, and S1 were struggling right from the start, eventually falling to a 3-13 loss. It was better for the other two, though, S2 took 5 on the first end and never looked back, winning 14-3, while S3 had the luxury of being able to drop a 4 on the last end, and still win 11-8.

That session saw Cambridgeshire use up their games in hand, and close dramatically on Suffolk, who now led by just one point.

Session 4
This time it was the other half of the Suffolk team who took on their Essex counterparts. While S6 ended up 6-3 ahead in a tight game, the other two results were resounding, as S4 won 18-5, and S5 won 18-0.

Maximum points for Suffolk, but Cambridgeshire could only muster one win against Herts, and had now falled 5 points behind.

Session 5
Norfolk were next up, and this time all the teams came home to very comfortable wins, S4 won 14-3, S5 13-3, and S6 10-3. Another maximum points haul, and another session in which Cambridgeshire faltered, taking just 2 points.

With all the teams having just 6 games left to play, Suffolk now led on 30 points, while nearest rivals Cambridgeshire were on 21.

Session 6
With Cambridgeshire sitting out the session, Suffolk could seal the deal with one set of games still to play.

And they did just that, S3 were never in any trouble, winning 14-3, S2's game ended up closer that they might have expected after being 7-0 up after 2 ends, just edging the game 11-9, while S3 were never in their game, quickly going 12-0 down, they rallied somewhat, but still lost 9-16.

That put Suffolk 13 points clear, and with Cambridgeshire only having 12 points available in the final session, the title was sealed.

Session 7
Suffolk's final game were against Cambridgeshire, and it was a mixed bag. S1 fell to a 4-9 loss, S3 ended up drawing 6-6, while S2 cruised to a 13-1 victory.

The final standings saw Suffolk on 37 points, Cambs on 30, Norfolk on 22, Essex on 16, and Herts on 15.

The key to the win was undoubtedly Suffolk's performances against Norfolk, Essex and Herts, losing just 2 of the 18 games, although it should be noted that they were only able to take 5 out of the 12 available points off Cambridgeshire.

Special mention should go to S4 who were the only team from any county to win all their games, while S3 were the only other team, with 3 wins and a draw, not to lose a game.

In the absense of an Eastern League this last season, Suffolk will now go forward to represent the East at Potters, in the East v North match, which is the prelude to the Nationals.

You can view the full set of results here.