Yesterday our Men’s under 25 team (double rinks) were in action in the regional finals at Redcar BC. We were due to play Lincolnshire yesterday am, but were given on a walkover on Friday, so it meant we were already in the final against either Lancashire or Yorkshire and one game away from the National Finals at Royal Leamington Spa in September.
Our team was brand new, as in 2019 the format was only 1 rink (of 4) and all but 2 of them yesterday were new to the competition and format (as in playing double rinks – and even new to playing in rinks! – although we’ve had trials / and practice sessions in this format (4’s)).
White Rose Team 2021 L-R: Luke Heard, Alex Simpson, Josh Norris, Alex Scott, Jan Walton, Richard Curtis, George Rogan, Matty Bishop, James Watson
We started off well, and at 5 ends we were 11 – 7 up, with Matthew Bishop leading 4 – 2 and George Rogan 7 – 5. At the 10 ends stage we were 3 behind, with scores being 19 – 22 (Rogan 7 – 17 down, but Bishop leading 12 – 5).
Jan Walton next to Yorkshire players
At 15 ends the game was getting beyond us, with Bishop now trailing 15 – 19, and Rogan 9 – 22 down. As the ends ticked away and with us needing scores to claw the deficit back each rink lost big counts of the 19th and 20th ends and the game was unfortunately done.
Final Score: Northumberland 34 Yorkshire 53
Rink Scores: M Bishop 20 – 25; Rogan 14 – 28.
Despite the result there are so many more positives in this performance, game and overall process involved. We now have a number of juniors, starting from 12 years old upwards, who have played in 2 trials and another practice session before yesterday. All of them will have gained experience from this, despite the defeat and this will clearly help them in their development going forward. After all without the juniors we have nothing. I plan to continue with sessions for the juniors, and will run some competitions through these sessions (as after all we can all roll up to a degree) but sometimes we need a little more competitiveness and edge perhaps!
All of them are not only a credit to themselves, but also the clubs they play out of – well done and thank you.
I would also like to thank all of their parents, for their continued support and help, not just yesterday but the previous weeks – it is very much appreciated. This is the start of their journey for some, and as mentioned to them I hope to enter two under 25 rinks in to the Northern Counties Championships – played on Sunday 15th August at York RI. Again well done to you all and thank you.