Atherley anguish for Dorset (From Dorset Echo)

Atherley anguish for Dorset

8:55am Wednesday 6th January 2010 in Sport By Echo Reporter

KENT 121 DORSET 117

IN a quarter-final match of pulsating excitement and drama, Dorset put up a magnificent fight in defence of their Atherley Trophy crown but crashed out of the competition by just four shots at the hands of Kent.

The game, played at Lodden Vale, Basingstoke, had no less than eight players who were on view at the recent England Senior Trial at Lincoln.

Kent’s players created strong heads early on, but Dorset converted them to good effect, which enabled them to take a 9-1 lead and extend it to 14-4.

The early psychological advantage was certainly gained by Dorset, who had the three top Kent skips – Sandy Hazel, Wendy King and Sian Gordon – under wraps and unable to make progress.

After six of the scheduled 21 ends had been played, Dorset’s combined score for the six rinks was 33-29, but the overall lead then disappeared when a net loss of seven shots on the next end put Kent into the lead for the first time.

Kent got the bit between their teeth and began to build on their recovery, giving Dorset a torrid time trying to keep their opponents in check.

With 16 ends completed, the gap was 22 shots in favour of the Kent side at 95-73 and Dorset seemed to be heading for a heavy defeat and an embarrassing exit from the competition.

But end by end they found new inspiration as they produced a spell of bowling that was reminiscent of their dramatic comeback in last year’s famous victory over Norfolk in the final.

The 19th end produced a net haul of 11 shots to Dorset as the Kent lead tumbled to just four while one more was gained on the penultimate.

Almost unbearable tension descended over the final set of ends as Dorset looked to complete a remarkable turnaround and the Kent supporters were silenced as the scoreboard read 117-115 in favour of Dorset with just one rink to finish.

The rink left to play was skipped by Viv Mansell, who had battled back from 18-13 down to lead 27-19.

Mansell played her final two bowls against a difficult head and although the first made contact with the head it failed to change the situation, with her final delivery also off target.

The game was concluded amid scenes of great jubilation from a very relieved Kent contingent, and abject agony for the gallant Dorset side.

The Dorset quartet of Julia Eatwell, Brenda Streater, Julie Saunders and Joan Halliwell recorded the top rink score of the day as they defeated England captain Hazel 24 –14.

Bridport skip Sue Hosking and her rink of Lyn Howard, Elizabeth Messer and Wendy Brown also gained a scalp when winning 21-18 against up and coming England player Gordon.

The third rink to gain a win was Julie Hudson, Freda Yates, Kathy Desmond and Mansell, who won the battle on her rink 27-25 but lost the war on the final agonising end.

Val Baxter, Margaret Clapp, June Searle and Sheila Baker; Joy Tappin, Edna Cumberland, Annie Bowden and Annette Hallett; and Sally Williams, Frances Hewett, Sue Dadson and Penny Cresswell were the three rinks to suffer defeats.

“To reach two quarter-finals and land a championship in the past three years is no mean achievement,” said manager Frank Gwatkin.

“Dorset have proved that they can live with the best and display fighting qualities that bring success.

“We could so easily be lining up in the semi-final, but nevertheless I was proud of the calibre of the players’ performance in our bitter defeat.”