BEDFORDSHIRE 2ND TEAM WIN NORFOLK BOWL 2007

The four East Anglian counties' second teams compete for the Norfolk Bowl over the season in a round robin league. Matches are 8 a side with 4 foursomes in the morning and 8 singles in the afternoon. The final fixture sees all four counties playing on the same day at the Jamboree.

V Cambs & Hunts (Leighton Buzzard 26/07/07)
Bedfordshire's 2nd team began the season with an emphatic 8-4 win over rivals Cambs & Hunts at Leighton Buzzard on 26th July. Conditions were atrocious but the team battled through, taking the morning foursomes 3 1/2 to 1/2 and then winning the afternoon singles 4 1/2 to 3 1/2. Lin and Megan fought back from 4 down to claim a vital half point.
Soggy but happy winners were:
Sharon Allen (Bedfordshire); Megan Birdsey (Caddington); Lin Gunn (Wyboston); Cecilia Holden (John O'Gaunt); Lizzie Sweetnam (Leighton Buzzard); Helen Taylor (Aspley Guise); Gill Westgate (Beds & County); Kate Wright (Leighton Buzzard)

V Norfolk (Swaffham 06/08/07)
 Fresh from their triumph over Cambs & Hunts the team travelled to Swaffham for the Norfolk match. A practice round the day before proved vital, as the greens were very tricky and chipping was tough. Accommodation proved to be even tougher, but the team are hardy individuals and made it through the night (just!) A tough battle saw the team 3 - 1 down after the morning foursomes, with Pippa and Alison winning a crucial point on the 18th and giving the team hope for the afternoon. Well done!
The team dug deep for the afternoon singles, winning 6 1/2 to 1 1/2, giving an overall score of 7 1/2/ to 4 1/2 matches. This was a great performance - the team knew every point and every result mattered. Joc and Cecilia each fought back from 2 down with 3 to play for a win and a half, and Helen, ever aware of the countback situation, clawed back from 5 down after 13 to take her match to the last.
5 Star Travellers winning for Bedfordshire were:
 Sharon Allen (Bedfordshire); Alison Corke (John O'Gaunt); Jocelyn Faris (Beds & County); Cecilia Holden (John O'Gaunt); Helen Taylor (Aspley Guise); Gill Westgate (Beds & County); Pippa Willis (Colmworth); Kate Wright (Leighton Buzzard)

V Suffolk (Cromer 13/08/07)
 With everything to play for, the Bedfordshire 2nd team made the long journey to Cromer. Practice was curtailed to 6 holes for just 5 of the team. However, the course (and accomodation!) was magnificent, and the team was ready for battle.
Morning foursomes was split 2 - 2, and a close eye was kept on Norfolk v Cambs and Hunts, who also finished 2 -2. Sharon led the team out for the afternoon singles, winning her match on the 18th for her third singles victory of the season. Megan took the course apart with  a great display of ball striking to bring home another point, and Pippa added another point to the total. Suffolk were strong and triumphed 5 - 3 in the singles for an overall score of 7 - 5.
Games won now came into play, with Norfolk, Suffolk and Bedfordshire all having won 2 matches.
Bedfordshire - 20 1/2 games; Norfolk 19 1/2 games; Suffolk 18 games
BEDFORDSHIRE WON BY 1 MATCH, a sweet win for County Captain, Jocelyn Faris, as the 1st team have been edged out by 1/2 a point in each of the last 3 County Weeks.
 Bedfordshire team were:
 Sharon Allen (Bedfordshire); Megan Birdsey (Caddington); Jocelyn Faris (Beds & County); Cecilia Holden (John O'Gaunt); Christine Jones (Dunstable Downs); Helen Taylor (Aspley Guise); Gill Westgate (Beds & County); Pippa Willis (Colmworth)

CONGRATULATIONS TO 2ND TEAM CAPTAIN, LESLEY MAY, AND THE ENTIRE 2ND TEAM SQUAD.

Thanks too to County President, Cicely Goldsmith, who has travelled all over East Anglia and supported the team throughout the season. It makes a huge difference to the players.

               
The team contemplates tactics at lunchtime.....                                                                        ....which clearly work, as team and captain celebrate victory in the evening  

The winning team:
L - R: Jocelyn Faris; Pippa Willis; Sharon Allen; Lesley May (2nd Team Captain); Helen Taylor; Cicely Goldsmith (County President); Cecilia Holden; Gill Westgate; Megan Birdsey; Christine Jones