County Fours Get Underway: Extra-End Thrillers Headline a Dramatic Opening Night
By Your Green-Side Insider
The prestigious County Fours championship took to the turf on Friday night for an action-packed opening session. While the official schedule focused on the four Round 1 fixtures, a couple of eager rinks gave us an early taste of Round 2 action.
The evening was defined by incredible, high-wire drama, with two matches requiring an extra end to separate the teams. The remaining 15 Round 2 fixtures will take to the greens next week to complete a highly anticipated set of ties.
The Extra-End EpicsRay Rallies Past Clough: In the match of Round 1, W. Ray (G) and D. Clough (CN) put on an absolute masterclass in tactical shot-building. Neither side could be separated after the 18 ends, leaving the scoreboard locked at 16–16. With the tension on the bank palpable, Ray’s quartet kept their composure beautifully in the high-stakes extra end to secure a sensational 17*–16 victory.
Ross Pips Cooper in Early Round 2 Clash: Looking ahead to the next stage, D. Ross (BD) and M. Cooper (G) elected to play their Round 2 encounter early—and they treated the spectators to a fantastic contest. It was a beautifully balanced affair that sat dead level at 14–14 after the 18 ends. With everything riding on the critical extra end, the Benfield rink found the perfect weight to pick up a decisive 3 count, sealing a memorable 17*–14 win.
Assured Performances on the Turf
Away from the extra-end nerve-shredders, two more rinks booked their passage into the next round with very solid, structured team displays:
Duffy Navigates Tricky Away Trip: P. Duffy (G) traveled to Forest Hall to face a dangerous C. Coan (FH) side. The Gosforth unit settled into their length quickly, building a comfortable cushion mid-match and holding off a late charge to advance with an impressive 22–16 win.
Curtis Controls the Green: J. Curtis (G) put together a beautifully disciplined performance to overcome D. Henderson (C). Curtis’s front two laid excellent foundations all night, restricting scoring opportunities to close out a highly efficient 15–10 victory.
With G. Milroy (M) safely earning a spot in the next round following a withdrawal from T. Russell (P), the stage is beautifully set for next week’s bumper card of 15 remaining Round 2 ties!