Week 18 - 2023 Season
Matches this week - Ewhurst (Away) GTL, Horley (Home) NDL, Cheam (Home) NSL, Esher (Home) Friendly, Cheam (Home) ESL, Cheam (Home) Friendly
Ewhurst (Away) GTL
Dorking were away at Ewhurst Tuesday for week 17 of the GTL season and another excellent result was achieved by us with John S., Eric, and Peter R. winning 17-13 and Kevin, Mannie, and Trevor winning 17-9.
So another 6 points to Dorking taking us up to second in the Guildford Section, and guaranteed a final's day team, with one home game against Bookham to play. Congratulations to all that contributed.
Report - Trevor
Horley (Home) NDL
Our final NDL match of the season saw an 8-2 points victory. Charlie, Vicky and Nick recorded a resounding victory of 30 shots to 13. A fine way to end the NDL season.
Paula, John Bo, and Ray very generously ensured Horley would not go home pointless by losing 12-18.
Pat, Martin and Bert finished well by getting a shot on each of the last four ends to overhaul the opposition with a 15-13 win.
Horley we’re great guests as usual and a convivial time was had by all in the bar after the game.
Cheam (Home) NSL
A very close match unfortunately yielded no points for our Dorking team.
Richard, Trevor and Peter R went down by 4 shots. James, Ray and Bert lost by 2 shots as did Mannie, David and John S.
Both rinks were nip and tuck in what was a hot and sunny afternoon watched by a knowledgeable crowd that consisted of Wilf and Brian making use of our great new sun shades.
Liquid refreshment was enjoyed by all, served by Eric, in a very friendly atmosphere with our friends from Cheam.
Report - Ray
Cheam (Home) ESL
This was the last match to be played in the East Surrey League for the season. Grey clouds arrived over Dorking, and a short shower preceded the match. Then, to everyone’s delight the sun same out and play commenced, where Martin S. John B. Dan C. and David M. on rink 3 won their first three ends, establishing an early lead. By the 6th end, Captain Peter’s team (with Richard W. James W. and Paul McA) were drawn with Cheam at 4 all, and Trevor’s team (with Nick R. Graham B. and John S.) were also drawn at 7 all. A change was imminent. The Captain’s rink began to pile on the pressure, adding to their total with a further 14 points by the 11th end to hold 18 against Cheam’s 4. In the end they were unstoppable, clocking up the highest score that Dorking achieved in all the ESL matches this season, with an impressive 40 points, leaving Cheam stalled on the last 7 ends with 7 points.
Meanwhile David Macklin’s team conceded 6 points on the 11th end, putting Cheam into the lead for the first time. Then followed a tight battle up to the 20th end, with scores, Dorking 15 and Cheam 17. On the final end, Dorking were holding one prior to the skips play. David so very nearly increased our score by a further point with his first bowl, and then, to finish the match, produced a spectacular final shot, which succeeded in nudging his first bowl into ‘shot’ thereby securing that vital second point, and delivering a draw at 17 all.
Trevor’s team also played a close match, but by the 14th end found themselves down 7 points, at 13 to 20. Then followed a hard fought return which included a 5 on the 19th end to put them back in the lead. They held on to that lead, winning with a total of 24 to Cheam’s 21.
Although every point was hard fought for, (and well done to all the players) a very good spirit prevailed throughout the match. It was a rewarding end to our season in the 1st division ESL, with Dorking winning two rinks and drawing one, with a shot difference of Dorking 81, Cheam 45, giving Dorking a convincing win, with 9 points to 1.
Report - Martin
A selection of the pictures taken by Mike - thanks
