CORNERED BY AVENGING CHRIS

Thursday 27th July 2023
Leyland & District League Div-3: Hoole Village Hall 'B' - Eagle Reds

v CHRIS COXHEAD L 12-21

I'm growing to like Hoole's green and was looking forward to playing there, but on the night I just didn't roll sufficiently against this chap who chucked long to the corners very well and consistently mopped up my sloppy leads when I had a chance to make more of a game of it.
After losing the first end, Chris was difficult to break down and scored four more singles before I managed to land something perfect.
However, possession of the jack was short-lived and my opponent ground more points out of me with continuous long marks on this big square green. An extremely disappointing opportunity to score when Chris finally sent two duffers got my heckles up a bit. I seemed to squander every little window of opportunity.
I don't think I played poorly overall, just not well enough or consistently enough on the night. More or less every point I scored required a very good bowl.
Trailing something like 8-14, I sent two round peggers towards the clubhouse that I was almost smug about, then Chris rolls up with a touch more pace and licks the sandwich filling of my efforts (the jack) and tapped on to it perfectly. A cracking bowl. What can you do? It was at this point I said out loud, "What the f*uck do I have to do to get summat 'ere?"
I don't recall keeping hold of the jack for more than one end, perhaps twice on one occasion, so with that in mind it was a worthy effort to score twelve. Inadequate lead bowls let me down and a few cheap two's tossed away only served to fan my opponent's confidence.
Chris played really well and kept the pressure on throughout the game. This left us equal on aggregate over two matches, having met in the reverse fixture at the Eagle earlier in the Summer. But given my similar margin of victory at home was a little flattering, no flattery here. I got done over.

NERVES CREEP BACK IN BUT IMPORTANTLY, A WIN

Monday 24th July 2023
Chorley & District League Div-2: Eagle &Child 'A'  -  Coppull 'A'
v MARK RIDING W 21-14

Another chance beckoned in Steve Marginson's double promotion chasing side.
A recently floated statistic is that no Leyland team has ever got to the top flight of the Chorley & District League. With this maiden season in Division Two becoming more successful than anticipated, a real opportunity has arisen to maintain a place in the top two and make a little bit of history.
Our captain's priorities have had to change this season accordingly. There's no room for sentiment or experiment. Choices made are based on getting results.
This was another chance to stake a claim, but knowing full well I would have to sit out the following week's away match at Hoghton with no experience of their green. That's how it is and I fully appreciate the situation. I think Steve has grown in the role of captaincy. I certainly know where I stand and couldn't ask for more than that. It's up to me now to play well enough.
I didn't have a great game as it turned out and nervousness returned as we started the match. Feeling pressure to get the win for this team and make a positive impact.  It was an inconsistent mix of sublime and ridiculous against Mark, but thankfully enough against this opponent who himself blew hot and cold throughout the match.
Once again home turf felt like a real challenge and particularly on finding a good length. I missed a chance for two on the first end which wrankled with me straight away, but early on I kept my nose in front and just about stayed there.
Two ends on the trot when Mark's first bowl sat less than inch off the jack, I rolled up even closer and without contact. The callipers were out, but my bowls were in and were crucial to keeping a steady lead. That was the sublime, but the ridiculous was one of the worst shots I've ever played on home soil on a mark I know well towards the entrance corner. Overshot and completely missing the land to the point were it looked like I'd sent wrong peg.
It was a strange match and I probably wouldn't have got away with a victory against one or two other Coppull players on the night, but importantly it was a win and also another one for the team to hold on to that second place.