Fylde 4 Bury Peelers 3

Fylde: Lee Hartley -1.5, Betty Bates 8, Barry Broughton 14, Robert Bentwood 20.
Bury Peelers: Richard Leach 10, Phil Nuttall 10, Margaret Eccles 11, Vi Richards 20

For the first game of the season Fylde were home to Bury Peelers. The weather all week had been glorious so the bitter cold weather and the heavy lawns were a surprise to all. There were a number of club house and car visits needed to add extra layers and summer hats were swapped for warmer ones. Both teams struggled to get the run of the lawns. The first outing for newbie AC player Robert was an easing in, doubling with Fylde's number one Lee. The play against the Bury pairing of Phil and Vi was very cat and mouse, but eventually Fylde won 24-13.

For the first two hours of the match between Margaret and Betty, the Bury player was the favourite, but Betty managed to put together a few breaks later on and eventually won +3. Barry made a great start against Richard getting to one back and broke down unfortunately leaving Richard a great set up for a 4 ball break which he took advantage of going to 2 back having only used 1 bisque. Both players were on and off the lawn but Richard eventually winning with the only 26 pt finish of the morning.

Result at lunch Fylde 2-1.

In the afternoon the weather warmed up considerably and players from both sides removed many layers of clothing. Lee played Richard in the afternoon. Richard got to hoop 2 with his second turn with Lee still to put on his. When Lee had his turn he made light work of going to penult in a wonderful display of finesse in less than 25 minutes. Richard did some lovely roquets and some very angled hoops and broke down late on his turn. A few missed roquets by both players made an exciting ending, Lee eventually the victor, pegging out and winning plus 3. Phil and Betty's game was a scrappy affair with both playing very defensively. With 20 minutes to go Betty was behind by one hoop, but managed to picked up a few later continually separating her opponent. She eventually won plus 3.

Robert versus Vi was a nip and tuck game with Vi eventually winning plus 4. Barry against Margaret was a war or attrition with Margaret finally the victor plus 3 on time. The lawns remained heavy and the scores reflected the hard work by all the players, as only 2 players pegged out in the whole day.

Despite losing Bury remained jolly, and the two teams posed happily for a group photo as one would with good friends. Captain Betty would like to thank all the helpers for setting the lawns, for clearing away and all the helpers who made tea and tidied the club house afterwards, it was very much appreciated.

Posted by, Betty, 28th April