Two significant team victories saw Gildredge Park Ladies bowls team continue their run of good form in July as they notched up wins in County and National ‘Top Club’ knock-out competitions. The club are now East Sussex champions with hopes of winning the all-Sussex final and have reached the final stages of the ‘National Top Club’ championship.
In the ‘National ‘Top Club’ on July 24th Gildredge Park pulled off a stunning victory against a strong side from Polegrove Bowls Club. The match was played out over four rinks of singles, pairs, triples and fours. Action pictures below courtesy of club member Heidi Emery.
Cath Greenwood played superbly and relentlessly to win her singles 21:12.
Another close one. Umpire Dorothy Bromily prepares to rule as the tape comes out
Jenny Townsend and Gill Seymour won the pairs 24:16 including a six when 10:16 down which gave a knock-out blow to their opponents who didn’t score again.
Gill Seymour lines up another winner as she and Jenny Townsend win the pairs rink
The triples of Ros Pickering, Mal Rossell, and Ellen Strevens pulled through in a close match to win 15:12. The fours of Mary Bowley, Carol Forge, Marilyn Doust and Eve Goldsmith, although losing 10:21, pushed right to the end to minimise the deficit in case the game came down to the total score.
"It's all on your weight" cries Ellen Strevens as she skips the triples
As the final bowl went down the green, victory on three rinks and an overall shot score of 70 to 61 saw Gildredge take the match.
"Here's your line" advises Eve Goldsmith, skip to the fours
The team now play in the area finals in August and are just three wins away from the English national finals to be played at Leamington Spa in September.
The previous week saw the ladies team win the East Sussex Zone of the County ‘Top Club’ knockout competition with victory against local rivals Eastbourne Bowls Club on July 17th . They will now play Burgess Hill, West Sussex champions, in the Sussex County final in September. A total of 34 clubs had entered the County Top Club competition so to get to the final is an outstanding achievement.
Champions!!!!!!! The victorious Gildrege team after victory against Eastbourne makes them Sussex East zone champions and takes them to the all-Sussex final against Burgess Hill. The match was played at the neutral venue of Hampden Park. Also shown are umpire Dorothy Bromily (in dark blazer) and team coach Denise Smith (in red shirt)
Club captain Carol Heasman said “Every member of the team has bowled wonderfully. There is such a great team spirit and determination to do well. I am so proud of our team”
The ladies team would like to give a big thanks to our Coach Denise Smith, to President Dorothy Bromiley for her umpiring duties and support, to Jet Tait and Carol Heasman who either played in previous rounds or were reserves. To those of you that marked for us and to all of you (ladies and gents) that helped provide and serve the refreshments for the home games. All these people played a huge part in the success of the Top Club team. Thank you so much, this was a superb team effort.
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