Balcomb Trophy

DORSET 41 beat DEVON 40 after extra end

BARRY Patterson showed all his experience as Dorset pulled off a major shock in the Balcomb Trophy at Greenhill.

Devon were many people’s favourites to win the double-rink competition ahead of this encounter but they came up against a determined home outfit who pushed them all the way before snatching victory on the extra end.

Dorset’s Danny Steadman told Echosport: “To win 41-40 was an unbelievable result.

“Not only were Devon favourites for the whole thing but they also had a team containing six current England internationals, including world number nine Robert Paxton and Commonwealth Games medallists Sam Tolchard and Jamie Chestney.

“Barry Patterson drew two incredible bowls under pressure to force the extra end which his rink won to see us through.

“It was just a fantastic all-round performance.”

Middleton Cup

WILTSHIRE 135 (20pts) beat DORSET 85 (2pts) by 50 shots

DORSET slumped to a 50-shot defeat against Wiltshire in their opening West Group Section B match in the Middleton Cup at Wootton Bassett.

Wiltshire, who were group winners last year, took the honours on five of the rinks with the biggest victory coming from England international Graham Shadwell’s quartet, who chalked up a huge 33-5 success against Martin Puckett’s rink.

Mark Toberry’s four were the only success story for Dorset as they overcame Mike Jackson’s men 27-15 although Barry Patterson’s rink also went close, going down 17-16 against Mel Biggs’ team.

At five ends, Wiltshire led just 24-21 across all the rinks but by 10 that lead had stretched to 61-46.

The visitors tried hard to turn things around but Wiltshire continued to show their dominance to move 97-58 up at 15 ends before finally securing a 120-76 success.

Dorset resume their Middleton Cup campaign today with a home match against Gloucestershire at Greenhill (2pm).