Quite clearly Collingham were up for the challenge with all their members ready at the lush Knaresborough green just before 6pm, the sun had been out for most of the day and I think a few competitors were very surprised when the green seemed to be a little on the slow side and with Wayside giving Collingham 86 points start, a good start was required from the off.
Game 1
Mark Reynolds v Angela Scorfield
Not the start Mark had expected and Angela got off well with the 3 singles, Mark doing his best to contain some very good bowling from the lady from Collingham, following up from her good performance in the merits the weekend before.
At the 13th end Mark finally started to find some rhythm and a couple of 2's had him in the lead 11-9 and with such a big advantage, it was job done for Angela. A bit of jack swapping had them tied at 12 across on the 18th end, this is when Mark stepped up his game, rattling in a 6 break only to be stopped by a single, then Mark ran out 21-13 with a further 3, like I said, job done.
Game 2
Steve Cochrane v Anne Braben
Another lady fast out of the blocks and Steve was shell shocked 8-3 to Anne, back came Steve to bring it within just one, but the lady was on fire 12-8 soon to be 16-9, not much noise coming from the Wayside and Steve was rattled, he managed a pair at the 20th end only to see Anne respond again 18-11, every point counts was the cry, but this was not on Waysides card, 21-14 to Anne, fantastic effort!
Game 3
Malcolm Hamilton v Maureen Burleigh
This game was more of a tight affair with both bowlers never finding a consistent lead, Maureen had the best of the early exchanges, leading 6-3, then 8-7 soon to be 11-7, Malcolm found a little form to bring it back even at 11 across, but Maureen found a couple of singles to take the lead once again 13-11.
The second half of the game went to Malcolm and boy did Wayside need this, a break of 6 and Malcolm had some daylight 17-13, Maureen dragged it back to 16, but once again the job was done despite loosing out 21-16, things were all ready starting to look rather bleak for Wayside.
Game 4
Brad Walker v Ian Jones
Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, up stepped Ian, boosted by his fine performance also in the merits last week, he flew out of the blocks with some fantastic bowling and Wayside were stunned, Brad found his way in with a single followed by a pair only to see Ian respond with a further 5 break, 11-3. At this point you would have though he would take his foot off a little, but no. Brad produced two good pairs to get a little closer and again Ian responded, finally Brad got back into the game 12-13 and believe me, he did well to get this close, because Ian finished it off in fine style 21-12, which rightly gave him the Man of the Match award!
Wayside 68 Collinham 157
Game 5
Chris Rigby v Tony Hoars
If anyone can bridge the difference in this game Chris can and he did his best, Tony got on the scorecard first, but Chris had to get a good win for Wayside and produced some great stuff to race away 10-2, a single stopped the rot, but back with a further 2 pairs and it was soon 14-3. again a single from Tony, but there was no stopping Chris, 21-4, a sigh of relief from the Wayside camp.
Game 6
Barrie Sugden v Dennis Hobson
A bit of confusion in this game, I am led to believe the score was 8-4 to Barrie, however there was a disagreement on the score so they went back to the last time they checked and Barrie was 5-0 up, this soon turned into a nightmare for Dennis as he could not get hold of the block and Barrie turned on the style 18-0, a single and a pair got Dennis on the scorecard, but Barrie sealed it with the same 21-3.
Were Wayside starting to make a comeback?
Game 7
David Singleton v Alan Scorfield
Fortunately Alan kept his eye on his game rather than seeing what had gone on before and this was another case of getting as much on the scorecard as possible, neither player really got away in this game, 6-5 to David by the 7th end but Alan responded with a break of four to go 9-6 up. 3 from David got him back within one and so this continued till the 23rd end when they were tied at 16 across.
With every point now gold dust, Alan led well to get within 3 for the win, David nipped in with a single and Alan soon collected the 3 he needed to wrap up the game 21-17
Game 8
Colin Rigby v Eric Brayburn
Colin got off to a great start, which is just what Wayside needed, 8-3 up and bowling well.
A little jack swapping over the next few ends and Eric was slowly starting to make his way back 6-9 down, a good break of four gave Colin breathing space, but Eric was always hanging in there and chipping in with the odd point just to do enough. A further 3 to Eric and he was only 11-15 down. Disappointingly for Colin, he just started to loose his leads and was giving away too many 2's, but finally he dragged himself over the line 21-15, more important points for Collingham.
Wayside 148 Collingham 200
Could this be the miracle of Knaresborough?
Game 9
Greg Johnstone v John Kinroy
Well Wayside needed a good start and John put paid to that in the early stages 10-3 after just 9 ends, battling spirit from Greg to bring it back within one at 9-10 down, but some fantastic bowling from John soon left another Wayside bowler with battle scars and with 4 pairs (Greg with a single in-between) 18-10 was the score to John.
Again Greg dug in with a four break, but another 2 had John on all but, 2 saving pairs from Greg, but that wasn't enough and John picked off the single he required 21-18.
Game 10
Lee Singleton v Gillian Mobbs
So the message was clear, get off to a good start, which I did 12-3, but with the news going round the green it was all over, I am guessing this may have released the tension somewhat for Gillian as she started to get into the game, I had the feeling that Steve Walker was under the cosh too, as missiles were flying about my feet. A break of four singles form Gillian was only interrupted by one from myself 13-7. Then we both had 3 each followed by a further 3 each leaving me requiring just the 3 to finish it off, which I did with singles 21-13.
Game 11
Brian Walker v Geoff Jones
Brian started the game off also with hope, but with not much consistency from either player and Geoff getting enough on the board early, there wasn't much Brian could do. After 10 ends Geoff had a slight lead 8-6, but Brian started to get into the groove and had a good break of 8 taking him to 14, Geoff grabbed a couple of singles to get him into double figures but a further 3 from Brian and only a single in response form Geoff, Brian ended the game with two fine maximums. 21-11.
Game 12
Steve Walker v John Scrutton
Strong start from John with two pairs, Steve replied with just a single and John continued with a further four, great start from John and just what Collingham needed to cement what already looked inevitable after the first eight games, 8-1. One apiece at the next 2 ends, then the game totally changed with Steve bowling some fine stuff taking him into to a 11-9 lead. John found his way in to make him just one behind, but that was the last time he scored, with Steve putting his foot down to run away 21-10, but the day was done and congratulations have to go to Collingham on a fine team performance.
The gap never really got closed at any time during the evening due to some fine bowling from Collingham and they fully deserved the win.
Wayside 229 Collingham 255
Presentation by Dave Rowson
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