Suffield Park Bowls round-up

The season has kicked off with a packed fixture list for Suffield Park's bowlers, who opened with games in all leagues.

Playing against Holt in the EBA League, Suffield Park claimed a close win with 47 shots to 44, with winning rinks for skips Stan Hayward and Adie Nobbs.

Adie's rink were winners also in the Federation A League, with a one-shot win against visitors Tungate. Eric Brickell skipped his block to a 20-9 win, giving Suffield Park an overall win by 10 shots.

Following on in this league, Suffield Park were away to Holt Barn Owls, coming home with a six-shot victory.

Adie Nobbs, aided by Phyllis Potter and John Filby, swept to a 26-9 win on his rink, and Ronnie Potter's rink turned in an eight-shot victory to clinch the result.

In the Federation B League, visitors North Walsham fielded a powerful team who soon overcame Suffield Park, who nevertheless managed a winning rink skipped by Val Hunting.

This year, the president, Val Hunting, has chosen Help for Heroes as her preferred charity for the club's Charity Shield Day on June 12. There will be various activities at the club including a match, and visitors will be made most welcome.

n Suffield Park held their annual open day. The club's senior bowlers were on hand and they were soon giving advice and guidance to newcomers wishing to try their hand at bowls.

There was a good response from the public, with potential members enjoying the warm sunshine and getting the hang of the game.

Light refreshments were on offer, and with the bar open and the clubroom at their disposal the visitors were made very welcome.

Val Hunting, club president, ceremoniously delivered the first wood to open the green.

n Suffield Park Bowls Club's players experienced an amazing turnaround in the local Coleman Cup tournament.

This two-legged competition saw Suffield Park drawn against Swanton Abbott with the first leg at Swanton's ground.

The Park's lads just could not find line and length, losing on all three rinks for a 44-shot deficit.

Doom and gloom prevailed as no-one comes back from so far behind ... or do they?

A week later, the two teams met at Suffield Park for the second leg. Undeterred, Suffield captain Adie Nobbs took his rink into an early lead on which they rapidly built to win by eight shots.

Ronnie Potter was not to be outdone on his rink, skipping his players to a five-shot win. So far, 13 shots in the bag, 32 needed.

The spotlight turned on Roger O'Leary, skipping Mike Baggally and Eric Brickell. By the fourth end they were 11 shots up with no reply from their opponents, and with fours and fives they rocketed to a final score of 40-5. Sweet victory!

The club's ladies had their own prestigious tournament when they entertained a crack team from RG Carter Club in the Top Club competition,

This is played in a singles, pairs, triples and fours format, and a good crowd of visitors and guests enjoyed some excellent displays of bowling.

Although Suffield Park could only manage an overall second, Chris Turner put on a splendid display in the singles against England an U25 champion, losing by just one shot.

Afterwards all enjoyed a splendid bowls tea, the bar was busy, the sun shone throughout to round off a great day.