Secretary' s Shield Nottingham 4 Fylde 3

Nottingham: Omied Hallam Sue Wilemen David Gunn Dan Greenaway

Flyde: Terry Vernazza Ian Theakstone Ken Harper Alan Morton

Format: Handicap rules, bisque difference, time limit 3 hour 30 minutes.
After an early start, the Fylde team arrived in good time to be greeted by leaden skies and persistent rain. In the singles, Ken received 3 bisques from Dave Gunne and made good use of these to score some hoops. However, Dave was in good form and regularly hitting in from long distances. He took control of the match and eventually won by 15. Alan gave six bisques away to his opponent, Dan Greenway. Dan is a relative newcomer but, with the aid of his bisques, kept control of the game. Alan' s efforts were in vain, Dan winning +17. In the doubles Terry and Ian were playing Omied and Sue. After a few early skirmishes, Terry got a good rush to Hoop 1 and took his ball round, electing to stop as 4-back. The game then developed into a see-sawing tussle with Ian and Omied advancing their balls. Omied then took control of the game, shutting the Fylde pair out and aiding Sue to make hoops. Omied then completed the peg out, with a couple of minutes to spare, Nottingham winning +5. Lunch and both the match score and the weather were looking bleak. In the afternoon singles, Ian faced Sue having 2 bisques in his favour. He quickly raced round the hoops, completing a rover peel, before pegging out +26. Ken had to give six bisques to his opponent Dan Greenway. Dan continued his good form shown in the morning and managed to keep Ken out of the game, eventually winning +26. Terry faced Omied Hallam, who quickly established a lead, taking his first ball to rover in the first 20 minutes of the game. Terry did not make much progress with his bisque and Omied hit in from long distance and started his second ball. However, a failed hoop allowed Terry back in and he took his ball to rover. Another mistake by Omied allowed Terry to pick up and go on to win the match +12. Alan was playing Dave Gunne . Alan used his bisques well and took control of the game. He made steady progress, as Dave struggled to get into the game, and won the game by 23.

Morning Games:
Omied Hallam and Sue Wilemen Beat Terry Vernazza and Ian Theakstone +5
Dan Greenaway beat Alan Morton +17
David Gunn Beat Ken Harper +15
Afternoon Games
Omied Hallam lost to Terry Vernazza -12
Sue Wilemen lost to Ian Theakstone -26
David Gunn lost to Alan Morton -23
Dan Greenaway beat Ken Harper +26

Posted by Terry, 28th April

Fylde 3 Chester 4

Fylde: Terry Vernazza (7), Peter Hallett (9), Ian Theakstone (12) and Ken Harper (14)
Chester: Alan Clare (8), David Guyton (9), Janet Davies (14), Gareth Edwards (16)

Fylde welcomed the Chester team for the opening match of the season. The weather was cloudy with a brisk wind but the promised showers held off. In the doubles match, all four players struggled in the early stages of the game, with few hoops being scored. However, despite the best efforts of Terry and Ken, the Chester pair of Alan and Gareth slowly inched ahead and ran out eventually winners +15 on time. In the singles, Ian used his bisques well and quickly took his first ball to rover. The rest of the game was much more even, Janet and Ian both scoring hoops, until Ian won +3 on time. Peter and David also had a close game, neither player gaining the upper hand. The game was tied after the final timed turn, David going on to win by scoring the golden hoop. In the afternoon, the sun came out and play warmed up. David Guyton found good form and beat Ian +23. Terry had a good tussle with Alan but slowly inched ahead to win +11. Ken played much better in the afternoon, and built up a good lead over Gareth. However in the final minutes, Gareth put a good break together and went on to win +1 on time. Peter and Janet also had a close game, both players taking their two balls to an advanced position. After pegging out Janet's first ball, Peter took control in the final stages and won +2.

Terry Vernazza and Ken harper lost to Alan Clare and Gareth Edwards by 15
Ian Theakstone beat Janet Davies by 3
Peter Hallett lost to David Guyton by 1
Terry Vernazza beat Alan Clare by 11
Peter Hallett beat Janet Davies by 2
Ian Theakstone lost to David Guyton by 23
Ken Harper lost to Gareth Edwards by 1

Posted by Terry, 21st April