Over the weekend our White Rose Team (Men’s Under 24’s) were in action. As per previous post the format had changed – so instead of double rinks it was singles, pairs, triples and fours.
The pairs and triples were 6 end sets, with a maximum time of 75 minutes including trial ends; fours was only 5 ends over 2 sets, and singles was 2 sets of 7 ends.
We started our campaign with a game against Cumbria – with the pairs and triples sessions. Our junior pairs champions of Paul Shilton and Alex Scott. The 1st set we lost, as Cumbria settled on the rink better. The second set was all to play for and we were one down in the game but lay 2 or 3 good shots, unfortunately the Cumbrian skip got 2 wicks and finished on the jack. So instead of being in the lead we were chasing the set, but despite our best efforts we could not retrieve it – and lost 2 sets to nil. Over in the triples – and our team of Alex Simpson, Luke Jameson and Matty Bishop started well and we took the first set; Cumbria hit back to take a tight second set. Next session was the singles and fours. Matty Bishop played in the singles and drew a tight first set 5 all, the next set was equally tight – and going in to the final end the score was 4 all, but Matty could not secure the shot and lost the set 5 – 4. The fours didn’t start well and we lost the first set 13 – 0. The next set was better and we won 8 – 3. But with Cumbria scoring more shots the collected 12 match point plus 3 points from the singles, pairs and shared points of 1 point from the triples and fours – so Northumberland 2 Cumbria 20.
Next up was Lancashire, but we waited 4 hours to play – due to Durham B withdrawing 2 weeks ago, and BE not re-doing the schedule. This was not good at all for anyone concerned. Also Durham benefited from this as they finished at this time, and there other bye was first thing on the Sunday. And we only played Lancashire in pairs and triples, with singles and fours scheduled for 9:30 on Sunday. The games started well, in the pairs this time leading was an impressive Luke Jameson, with clubmate Matty Bishop taking on Lancashire’s main player in England Junior International Lloyd Milligan. Our lads took the first set 9 – 4, the second set the Lancashire duo hit back and led 5 – 2, but Matty had a chance with his last bowl to remove the solitary Lancashire bowl to win the set, unfortunately it did not happen. On the triples, like the pairs we started well and won the first set 8 – 3, but lost the second set by the same scoreline – losing a 3 on the last end. So all was to play for the following morning.
In the Singles Matty played Lloyd Milligan, and lost first set 8 – 3. Matty regrouped in the second set, which was nip and tuck and playing the final end the score was 4 all. Matty had one bowl to play and turned his bowl over in to the head, with a measure for shot, and Matty scored this vital one shot to win 5 – 4 (1 point each). In the fours we started well and won the first set comfortably 7 – 1. With all disciplines being shared 1 point each, the overall shots was vital. Going into the last end we were 3 – 2 behind, so 1 shot would gain us the victory and 3 points, along with the additional match points, and as long as we didn’t lose a 3 or more then we would be okay. Unfortunately we dropped a 3, which meant a tied match 10 all.
Next was Yorkshire (with pairs and triples) – the impressive Luke Jameson continued his good form leading for Matty Bishop; and despite lying most ends the Yorkshire skip of Marcus Moseley turned heads each end, and Yorkshire won in straight sets 2 – 0. Over in the triples we won the first set 5 – 4, and we looked on course to secure a two sets to nil victory, being 6 – 3 up playing the last end. However it was not to be, and we dropped a four, so not only to not take the victory, and the points were shared. This end along with other key moments across the two days seemed to sum it up really, just missing and small margins. In the singles Alex Scott played this time, lost first set 8 – 5, but hit back to take set two 11 – 4. On the triples we won the first set 5 – 4, and trailed 7 – 5 on the last end, we needed a 3 on the last end to tie the match overall, unfortunately we could only score a single and Yorkshire took the victory 42 – 40 (3 points to 18 points).
The last session we played Durham, and this time in the pairs was Luke Jameson playing with Alex Scott, taking on Liam Brodie, and we won on both sets (11 – 1, 9 – 3). In the triples Paul Shilton, Alex Simpson and Matty Bishop winning both sets 7 – 2, 11 – 2. In the final session Luke Jameson took the singles berth, and played Northern Counties U25 current champion in Alex Wood, and Luke won 8 – 2, 5 – 3. In the fours with Alex Scott skipping and the Bish playing in his last White Rose game at 3, we won in both sets (9 – 3, 8 – 2).
Cumbria qualified winning all 4 games – with 74 points, 2nd was Yorkshire with 45 points, ourselves were 3rd on 39 points, Lancashire 4th on 36 points and Durham 5th on 24 points.
I know the result is not what we hoped for, but there were many positives throughout the two days, we have a young team, with a few years left in them. Although not as young as Durham, as they had a 9 and a 13 year old playing – which was great to see – as without our youngsters we will have nothing.
I would like to thank all the players over the weekend, for their time, play, hard-work and commitment. A four wait or so on the Saturday was not good for anyone or acceptable. I would also like to thank parents, and girlfriends/partners for their support throughout the weeekend; as well as Chris McGready who come along on Saturday am. The support for our youngsters and growth in our sport is vital – this is not just for the White Rose but also across the Amy Rose (Women’s under 24’s).
Final comment to thank Matty Bishop, Matty has played in the White Rose over the last few years and it was Matty’s (or the Bish’s!) last game yesterday – thank you Matty, it is much appreciated the support you have given to Bowls Northumberland.
We of course congratulate Cumbria on their success and qualification to the BE National Finals. But also a note of thanks must go out to Northallerton BC – who ran the two days – not an easy task at all – well done.
