Saturday 12th March saw Dorset and Devon U18’s play off for a place in the National finals at Nottingham. Dorset needed a win or a draw whilst Devon needed a win.
After the first 5 ends Dorset had a slender lead 6 – 4. The next 5 ends held different fortunes for each rink. Liam, Emma and Millie forged ahead 14- 5 whilst Holly and Austin and Nathan all of whom were playing well, found themselves 4 – 12 down. It could hardly have been any closer.
The second half of the game was even more nail biting. With one rink dropping a count and the other picking up a count in turn, keeping the combined score close all the way through. Both Dorset and Devon fought hard and played some incredible bowls, with leads drawing close and the back end changing the heads with nearly ever bowl.
Going into the last end of the match it was all square at 38 – 38. Nathan’s rink were the first to finish, picking up 2 shots. Liam and Emma started with good bowls then Devon managed to move the Jack and held 2. So, the game was all level again and stayed this way until the last bowl of the game. C. Fielder stood on the mat with the last bowl of the match, knowing that if the match remained a draw, Dorset won. Without hesitation he bowled to draw in within a foot…. And did it!
Both teams need to be congratulated on a first class game of bowls, with every one contributing to a fine display by young bowlers in the South West.
Good luck to Devon at Nottingham.
We look forward to a rematch next year!