Ladywell bowlers competed in knockout bowls competitions run by the Beckenham, Bromley & District Association (B&BDBA) this week against players from West Beckenham bowls club, with mixed results.
On Wednesday 10th July, Ladywell hosted a tie against a triple from West Beckenham for a place in the quarter-finals of the B&BDBA Triples Knockout competition.
The Ladywell trio of Ian Bradford, Des Marrett and Skip, Phil Welch, got off to a steady start in the 18-end match, picking up two shots on the first end, but their opponents pulled back to 2-2 by the third end. But, in a tightly fought contest, the home team always seemed to have the upper hand, mostly picking up single shots on each end, to build a commanding lead of 14-2 after 13 ends. On the 14th and 15th ends, the West Beckenham team got on the scoreboard again, gaining one shot on each end, but the Ladywell triple gained single shots on each of the final three ends to eventually run out comfortable winners by 17-4 and earn a place in the quarter-finals, where they will play either Forest Hill or Orpington.
On the following day, Club Captain Phil Welch was back in knockout action again at the green in Ladywell Fields, in the B&BDBA Men's Singles competition, this time against the West Beckenham champion, Paul Curran, with the winner being the first to 21 points.
This turned out to be a much closer affair than the previous day's triples match, with the lead changing hands a number of times. The West Beckenham player started strongly, moving into a 6-0 lead after three ends, but Phil got into his stride and pulled back five shots over the next four ends, to be just one point behind. Again, the visitor pulled ahead to lead 9-5 after nine ends, but again Phil closed the gap and eventually took the lead for the first time in the match by 11-10 after 14 ends. Over the next five ends, the lead changed hands three times, and despite the West Beckenham player gaining a 16-14 lead after 20 ends, Phil once again closed the gap. so after 22 ends, the players were tied at 16-16. The 23rd end saw Paul take a one point lead, only for Phil to gain two shots on the following end, to go 18-17 up. But a strong 25th end for Paul earned him three shots, putting him just one point away from victory, 20-18. The 26th end saw yet another fightback by Phil, who gained two shots to tie the scores once again at 20-20. So, it was all down to the 27th end. And, despite Phil's best efforts, it was the visitor who gained the vital point he needed to claim victory after a draining two hours, 10 minute contest.
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