BACK ON FORM TO OUTFOX DAVE

 Thursday 24th April 2025

LEYLAND & DISTRICT LEAGUE DIV-1

Eagke Reds (190) 7-5- Fox Lane 'A' (167)
v DAVE CHARLESWORTH W 21-11

This was a performance and result that set the bar for the rest of the league season.
Seemingly reserved for Longridge Singles nights until now, the right mix of confidence and concentration returned back on home turf with very little to supply the usual verses of self criticism.
Having said that, my first four bowls had way too much energy behind them. A few nerves perhaps, but the bowler who would have been cursing not so long ago about that could only chuckle at the irony of giving Dave an easy 4-0 head start that a player of his calibre really didn't need against the likes of me.
Staying calm made all the difference, just about winning the next two scruffy ends helped me settle and take a mark that has served me well before in front of the clubhouse, bowling well to go on a further ten point winning streak to lead 12-4. I was buzzing, Mr Charlesworth quite possibly shell-shocked.
That good thing came to an end eventually though and then we shuffled along to 15-8. Realising with jack in hand this was a big end to win I put up a very good lead when Dave struck only to make contact with his own and giving me two.
It was nip and tuck from thereon, breaking a potential comeback to pip Dave's very good lead and seeing out the game leading strong on the next end, not before another strike attempt from my opponent ended up taking out his own bowl again.
Aside from defeats to Dave with various partners on his home green in the Winter doubles, this was actually the second time I've got the better of him at singles during the main season. Last time was a scrappy home game won 21-20 when I was greener and Dave was negotiating a different delivery after back trouble, although I was still chuffed with it at time.
Tonight was fair and square though, home advantage helped but a good win against one of Fox Lane's finest who has been in good form himself.
A number of close games could have gone either way in this local derby match, but we ended up with five winners each and an Eagle victory by virtue of a superior aggregate.