Kentish Express Ashford & District
KENT’S MEN A ND WOMEN REACH SEMI-FINALS OF CUP COMPETITIONS AT LEAMINGTON SPA
Kent’s men are through to the final stages of the Middleton Cup for the third successive year. A 120-108 win over Buckinghamshire on a neutral green at Egham on Saturday earned them a semifinal place against Bedfordshire at Leamington Spa on Saturday week. Devon meet Derbyshire in the other tie. Kent led by 19 shots after 18 ends, only for the advantage to be reduced to four with four ends to play – the outcome depending on the final two. Sandwich’s Gordon Charlton saw his penultimate bowl run the jack into the ditch earning Kent five shots and with two gained on the other, victory was assured, The county will be hoping for a double success as Kent ladies face Gloucestershire in the semi-finals of the Johns Trophy on the same day. Ashford Rail pair Mo Hayes and Anne Rutland are both in the team. Rail’s Belinda Williams was a member of the winning trio in the Wilmoths Mixed Triples hosted by Cheriton Bowls Club. She partnered Michelle Latham and Jason Avery from Folkestone Park, winning with six points and 22 ends. Rail won 109-90 in a six-rink mixed triples at Faversham on Sunday. The rinks were shared, with Alice Varley, Dick Neaves and Chris Knapp best scorers, 24-6. Varley, Sean Farmer and Tony Mapstone were top rink (19-10) in the 85-67 defeat at Sellindge on Saturday. Tenterden hosted their annual match against Rochester Blind Bowling Group. They have been visitors since 1990 and were led by captain Brian Mason in a four-rink contest. The club’s A team won 57-51 at Marden in the Weald League. Ann Walker, Peter Drury and skip Malcolm Nelmes were best rink (25-13). Hamstreet’s Mermaid League match against Peasmarsh was abandoned after 10 ends. The club beat Gateway 87-54 in a friendly – skip Len Scott, Anita Heida and Gerald Gilbert winning 28-12. Hamstreet won 80-46 at Winchelsea – skip Roger More, Janet Warman and Ella More recording a 31-6 victory.