ASCL - the 'tough' division

Bressingham 1, Kings Arms Stowmarket 3 (agg 36-45)  

Same score as last weekend (and the one before that) but still a valiant effort from the team on a glorious sunny day.  Les and Pat pulled off a surprising win.  Good effort from Luke (still only 8) and Darren (still only 30 something).  Well, onto the scores...

Dave/Luke lost 13-7, Darren/Pat lost 13-8, Les/Pat won 13-6, Dave/Darren lost 13-8.  Our opponents (Andy, Tanya, Aaron and the other bloke) have been playing many years and are contenders to win the competition outright.

Slight break from the Suffolk Coastal League but we'll be back on Thursday for another match in the Norfolk & Norwich... stay tuned!

Flyers fall at first hurdle - NCPA KO Shield

The Mutton 4, Bressingham Flyers 1 (Agg 63-36)

The playing surface had only recently been relaid but played pretty well.  The rain held off and there was plenty of nice grub afterwards.

Triples: Darren/Les/Cyril lost 13-6, Dave/Jordan/Pat won 13-11
Pairs: Darren/Les lost 13-6, Dave/Jordan lost 13-1, Pat/Cyril lost 13-10 

We are at home to league leaders Les Garnier next Thursday... should be interesting.

ASCL - Explorer Division (aka A140 League)

Bressingham 1, Gt. Finborough 3  (weather - sunny)

Same result as last year but with different players.  Cyril and Jenny played their first competitive match since joining our club.  Russ, Pat and Les also played while myself, Lindsay, Mike, Mel and Harry watched on.  Even though the match was lost, the team performed fantastically well.  It was only afterwards that I told them that Gt. Finborough (formerly Cotton) were last years finalists.

Cyril and Pat playing on the far side... Russ and Jenny near side.

Pat/Cyril lost 13-3, Russ/Jenny lost 13-8, Pat/Russ won 13-3, Les/Cyril lost 13-7.

Some of the pairings were 'brand new' but you wouldn't have thought it.  A special mention to Pat and Russ who had an excellent win.  We take on another 'top' team (Stowmarket) next Sunday, same bat time, same bat channel.  Thanks again to everyone who brought stuff to eat and drink... and of course Darren and his team for making the trip up.

Flyers off to good start

NCPA Division 3

Norwich Stars 0, Bressingham Flyers 5

Garden gnomes come to mind (sorry - fuzzy pic).

The match was a lot closer than the score suggests with two games going down to the wire and another to 11. The terrain was very dry (the rain showers somehow missed Norwich) and most of us found it difficult to read at first, with boules scattered all over the place.  Jordan (14) has returned to our team in place of Lindsay. Darren and Les were the last to finish and had the whole terrain to play on.  I did my usual trick of losing the scorecard but it magically turned up the next morning.

It was nice to see Tracey and Stuart Ross for the 'Stars' again after some years.  I'm glad to see the Cottage still serve up those delicious fat chips!  We're off to Strumpshaw next week to play The Mutton in the KO shield.

ASCL KO 1st round

Bresingham 1, Framlingham 3

The nice bunch from Framlingham bouled us over in this first round knock out tie.  A good effort all round though with Darren and Luke just missing out by a single point.  Russ did well considering he hadn't played for some time and Les and Pat conceded only two points in their game.  It was quite nice watching a match for a change and the weather was good albeit windy.

Next match Thursday 18th April: Norwich Stars at the Cottage (NCPA division 3).  Talking of the Cottage, I played up there on Saturday in the 'Big C' charity pairs event.  I teamed up with Mike Cushion from the Norwich Reds... he is a mean pointer.  We won two games and lost one... about £160 was raised for the cause.

NCPA result - our first match

Bressingham 3, Diss Duval 2 (48-48 aggregate)

The match seemed a bit low key, however we scraped through, Les and Darren winning both their games.  Luke (8) also had a win.  Good to have Steven back with us (a team mate from yesteryear).

Here's Darren with his rather unusual throwing action.

Triples - Dave/Lindsay/Steven won 13-8, Darren/Les/Luke won 13-5.  Pairs - Darren/Les won 13-8, Dave/Pat lost 13-8, Steven/Luke lost 13-1.

Thank you to all that helped in setting up and others that brought food and drinks... next match on Sunday against Framlingham Shunters in the 'other' league.

Boules - spring colours

I have been colouring my boules again but instead of painting I have been experimenting with staining.  The new colours for spring 2013 are black olive and copper coin (the 'coating' easily lasts a couple of games).

NCPA league season starts

Bressingham 2, Gauloises 3 (friendly - both of us had byes).

Some of our team played under floodlighting for the first time so well done to them.  Graham Beales was in top form for the visitors as usual.

Scorecard has since turned up...
Triples -Dave/Lindsay/Pat lost 13-0, Darren/Les/Luke won 13-3,
Pairs -Darren/Luke lost 13-3, Dave/Lindsay lost 13-8, Les/Pat won 13- 3.

Les, Luke and Darren had a fine win.

Thank you to Cyril for providing the much needed Gazebo (with sides), Diane and Lindsay for making teas and coffees, Marie for baking a delicious cake and everyone else who brought food and drinks.  Thanks also to Graham and his team for making the trip down.

Next match - Home to Diss Duval (11/4).