Beccles bowlers aid county team

FIVE bowlers from Beccles and Lowestoft have been a part of the Suffolk U25 team this year. Kirsty and Lauren Clarke and Craig Parfitt were part of the first team, with Georgie Marwood and Luke Shaw playing in the reserve blocks.

FIVE bowlers from Beccles and Lowestoft have been a part of the Suffolk U25 team this year.

Kirsty and Lauren Clarke and Craig Parfitt were part of the first team, with Georgie Marwood and Luke Shaw playing in the reserve blocks.

After winning the national title last year Suffolk always knew it would be a tough season again to defend their title having lost two players, however going in to this final game of the season against Lincolnshire at Kessingland Bowls Club, Suffolk only required nine of the 14 points to reach the final again.

After a slow start, Suffolk started to give a good account for themselves with some excellent bowling, especially from our local bowlers and at 25 ends Suffolk had gained a 15-shot lead, however this was not to last as one of the more experienced rinks dropped a six allowing Lincolnshire a way back into the game and they did not look back.

With three rinks finished and one rink left playing, Suffolk found themselves one shot down on the game.

With the Lincolnshire skip having the last bowl of the game, Suffolk were holding two shots which would be enough to win the game and send Suffolk to the national finals, but the Lincs skip had different ideas and bowled a fantastic bowl to get the shot and break Suffolk's hearts.

Final score: Suffolk 106, Lincolnshire 108.

Suffolk now only lead Lincolnshire by five points, with Lincolnshire still having one game to play.