On Sunday 15 February 2009 Suffolk hosted Norfolk at Bildeston in their penultimate league match of the season.

Suffolk were looking for their third consecutive victory following impressive wins away at Essex and Bedfordshire in their last two matches. Prior to the match Suffolk and Norfolk were tied for second place in the league. The winner would be favourite to finish runners-up, with Cambridgeshire having a comfortable lead at the top.

The first session set the scene for the day, with close and low scoring games. Unfortunately the Suffolk rinks could not take full advantage of being the home team and all three games were not decided until the final ends. By the finish the spoils were shared, Suffolk winning a game 7-6, Norfolk winning a game 9-7 and the other was drawn 6-6.

The second session followed a similar pattern, but this time two of the Suffolk rinks started better and were able to hold on to early leads, winning 10-2 and 12-7. In the final game after a low scoring start the Suffolk rink were unable to recover a early deficit, losing 7-5.

The third session was Suffolk's worst of the day, securing only the one win. In that game the home rink took an early 7-0 lead and went on to win well 10-5. The other two Suffolk rinks were both behind after five ends and were unable to claw back the deficits, losing 12-5 and 9-6.

At half way Suffolk had a slender 9-7 lead in the match, but their performance so far had been far from convincing. An improvement was needed if they were to hold on to, or hopefully increase on their overall lead.

In the fourth session of the day the Suffolk rinks picked up another two wins with impressive scores of 11-3 and a very convincing 18-2. Unfortunately the other Suffolk rink lost 7-4 in another low scoring game.

The fifth session games started as many of the earlier games had, with low scoring. However as the session progressed two of the Suffolk rinks began to control their games and held on to their leads to win 8-5 and 12-5. The other game was lost 10-3.

In the final session it was the Norfolk rinks that got off to the better starts. Two of the Suffolk rinks then recovered well to take leads which they were able to protect, winning 11-6 and 10-6. The final game was lost 10-7.

Suffolk had won a very close match 21-15.

It had been a day with many tight games between two evenly matched teams. Whilst Norfolk had bowled well the Suffolk team had not taken full advantage of being the home team, allowing their opponents too may end winning opportunities.

To finish their season Suffolk are again at Bildeston, in a match against Hertfordshire on Sunday 15 March 2009.

Neil Jolly (County Captain)

The latest Eastern Counties League table is available on the ECBA website.

Suffolk County Team: Supported by Portmak Joinery