Middleton Cup disappointment but Nationals a success for Bears

The last day of the Bowls England Nationals saw Warwickshire’s Bears beaten by Lincolnshire in the semi-final of the Middleton Cup.

But elsewhere the Bears did the county proud.

Poor starts have been a long term issue for the team, usually countered by their ability to claw their way back into the game, but the difference proved too great as they went down 101-91 in the semi.

Keith Avery (Avenue Coventry), Lewis Gardner (Whitnash), Keith Wooding and Graham Ashby (both Avenue Coventry) didn’t score for the first three ends but hit a five to go ahead.

At the midway stage the scores were level, Ashby and co picked up a double but dropped a four and single to trail by three with six ends to go.

A strong finish cleared the deficit and gave Ashby’s rink a 19-12 victory.

Aiden Maries (Avenue Leamington), Will Brundle (Welford), Mark Ireland (Avenue Coventry) and Andy Walters (Welford) dropped a first end five but levelled the scores after six ends.

A good spell took the Bears seven shots up, Lincolnshire cut it to two with two ends left, and the sides swapped singles, Walters and co winning 17-15.

Ewan Mason, Josh Tiffin (both Rugby), Adam Shuttleworth (Whitnash) and Craig Carter (Rugby) started with a brace of trebles but only led by four with eight ends gone then dropped two fives on their way to trailing by 11 with two ends left.

A five and treble cut the deficit but Carter’s rink lost 21-18.

Mark Smith (Avenue Leamington), Jordan Ward (Rugby), Luke Horne and Adam Smith (both Avenue Leamington) recovered from a poor start to be level after five ends but slipped eight down at the halfway stage.

In the second half of the match Smith and co managed to halve the deficit, losing 20-16.

Andy Prickett (Welford), Sam Shuttleworth (Whitnash), Alan Prew and Dan Box (both Welford) were a shot down after seven ends but could never get level with their opponents, eventually going down 15-10.

Jacob Mills (Rugby), Steve Merrett (Avenue Coventry), Andy Sparkes (Whitnash) and Tom Millership (Avenue Coventry) briefly led against Lincolnshire on the fifth end but couldn’t get ahead again, losing 19-11.

While the Nationals finished poorly the start of the competition was excellent for the Bears, especially the first week.

Welford’s Chris Brereton won the Mens Two Wood Singles, Emily Kernick (Royal Leamington Spa) took the Ladies Two Woods, Keith and Ewan Mason (Rugby) won the Family Pairs while Phil Birch, Keith Wooding, Mark Ireland and Graham Ashby (Avenue Coventry) claimed the Senior Fours crown.

The Warwickshire juniors also won the White Rose Trophy for the second time in three years.

Later in the tournament Royal Leamington Spa’s Ladies retained their Top Club crown while Michelle Meadowcroft, Jacqui Ashley, Emily Kernick and Kirsty Richards (also Royal Leamington Spa) ended up as runners-up in the Ladies Fours.