Bears keep hopes alive with victory

AFTER last week’s disappointing result in the Middleton Cup, the Bears knew if they were to stand any chance of progressing to the Regional Final they needed to pick up as many points as possible against Herefordshire at Welford and hope Somerset did them a favour against Dorset – and that scenario was exactly how it turned out.

Adam Smith (Avenue Leamington), Jordan Merrett (Avenue Coventry), Craig Carter (Rugby) and Andy Smith (Avenue Leamington) took a fourth end six on their way to a midway 17-5 lead. Smith and co. dominated the second half of the game on their way to a 29-12 victory. Martyn Murley (Avenue Coventry), Mal Evans, Richard Brittan (both Erdington Court) and Alan Apsey (Welford) were down by two after six ends but dug in to reach the halfway stage nine in front. While the visitors had the better of the final five ends they couldn’t deny Apsey’s rink a 25-16 win.

Matt Wells (Rugby), Chris Barton (Kings Heath), Keith Wooding (Avenue Coventry) and Tom Millership (Rugby) dug in to win 24-16, while Liam Pearcey, Brian Boardman (both Rugby), Martin Timms (Welford) and Calvin Wells (Rugby) won 23-15.

Martin Hammond (Three Spires), Steve Taylor (Avenue Coventry), Neil Hancock (Little Compton) and Colin Jacox (Avenue Coventry) reached ten ends leading by six and went on to win 20-14. Mark Smith (Avenue Leamington), Neil Brereton (Welford), Steve Merrett (Avenue Coventry) and Dan Box (Little Compton) were eight shots down after 13 ends. A double and four looked to bring the Bears back into it but a brace of doubles moved the visitors clear by six. Nine shots in three ends gave Box’s rink a three shot advantage with one end to go. A very nervy end saw the Bears drop two but win 21-20.

Completing an impressive 142-93 win, gaining all 22 points gave the Bears a glimmer of a chance of progressing beyond the group stage but they still needed Somerset to do them a favour against Dorset. Luckily they did as they limited Dorset to just two points leaving their final total 56. Warwickshire with a game in hand have 43 points so they need to gain at least 14 points in their final match against Somerset on Saturday, July 8 to win the group.