The Hammers are all off the mark as Hampshire completed a clean sweep against a spirited Bedfordshire side, marking the first time Hampshire have won all 7 matches on the day in some time.
Hampshire Open ‘A’ 21-15 Bedfordshire ‘A’
Mick’s ‘A’ side made it 2 from 2 with a comprehensive victory. They raced into a 5-0 lead thanks to Benno, Swaffy, Houston, Gareth Harris and Chris Collings. Bedfordshire got one back, Bit Mick, Kev Vane and Wayne Lee-Buckland took the remaining three to take the first set 8-1.
Set two started by sharing the first 4 frames, before Rubin Ball got off the mark. Vaner got his first of the day, and another from Wayne saw us take a 14-4 lead at the halfway stage.
Set three started well with Benno and Swaffy both winning, however, victory was halted as we lost 3 on the bounce, but Rubin and Mick stopped the mini-comeback to put us on the hill. The last two of set three went Bedfordshire’s way to leave us 18-9 up.
Hampshire Open ‘B’ 20-16 Bedfordshire ‘B’
Neil Brooker’s side also made it 2/2 with a battling performance. Nick Chilton and Nick Roberts took the opening two, but Beds’ hit back to level it up. Oli Davies, Liam Cheverton and Alex Wadmore took 3 on the bounce, before Callum Russell claimed the last frame to seal the set 6-3.
Set 2 again saw the first 4 frames shared, as Brooker and Murgy getting off the mark, but a run of 3 losses saw Beds’ clam their way back into the match. Ian Eggar and another for Cal Russell saw the set end on a positive, with the ‘B’ taking a 10-8 lead at the halfway point.
Beds to the first frame of the third set to get within one, but Howes, Murgy, Brooker and Chilton took the next 4 to increase the gap to 5, and despite Alex Wadmore dropping a frame, Oli Davies and Ian Eggar help the ‘B’ claim 2 of the last 3 to go into the final set 16-11 up.
A strong start to the 4th set saw us split the opening 4 frames with Roberts and Cheverton putting us on the hill. Beds got one back but Nick Chilton sealed the win. Beds rallied to claim 3 of the last, but another win for Brooker’s side.
Hampshire Open ‘C’ 22-14 Bedfordshire ‘C’
After losing their opener to a strong Central London side, Richard Clarke’s side were looking to get on the board. After losing the opener, they rallied as James Hammond, Frazier Miller, Callum Mcdougall-Bell got 3 on the board. Beds levelled up, but Alex Morgan and Pete Hopkins picked up wins to ensure we led 5-4 at the end of the set.
Marc Anderson got the ‘C’ off to a winning start in the 2nd set as the first 8 frames were shared. Phil Capel, Xander Carter getting off the mark, and another in the bag for Alex Morgan saw the ‘C’ lead 10-8 at the halfway point.
The 3rd set saw Beds get on level terms after taking the first two frames. Logen Harper open his county account, before Phil, James and Captain Clarke swung the momentum once again. Beds claimed another, before Sam Edwards got his first frame of the season to leave the ‘C’ 15-12 ahead.
Martin Locock gave the team the perfect start, but Beds hit back taking the next 2 frames to make it 16-14, but from then on, the ‘C’ kicked on, as CMB, Phil, Marc Anderson, Hammond, Hopkins and Clarke rattled off 6 in a row to take a well deserved victory.
Man of the Match – James Hammond
Hampshire Female ‘A’ 20-8 Bedfordshire Female ‘A’
Kirsty Warner’s side were another looking to go 2/2 and build on their impressive first win. Rachael Micallef and SueFletcher got them off to a perfect start. Beds hit back to level up, before Vicki Turner, Aimee Firkins and Chloe White sealed the first set 5-2.
Beds took the first frame of the 2nd set, before Rachael claimed her second of the day, with Carla Mullan getting off the mark. Sue Fletcher claimed her second, but 3 defeats in the last 4 saw Beds close the gap to 8-6.
Cath Vane took the opener in set 3, and although Beds took the next, the Hammers kicked on. Carla won her 2nd of the day, Rach took her 3rd, whilst there were wins for Tucky, Sue and Aimee as Hampshire took a 14-7 lead into set 3.
Kirsty got herself off the board, with Cath, Carla, Tucky, Vicki and Chloe all registering wins to take the final set 6-1 and seal another big win.
Hampshire Female ‘B’ 18-10 Bedfordshire Female ‘A’
Nickie Boyd was another Captain looking to get her team on the board this season, and she lead by example taking the first frame. Beds hit back and took a 2-1 lead, before Dani Sutherland and Alisha Pengally put Hants 3-2 up. Beds levelled up, but Su Kirkland ensure Hampshire went into set 2 with a 4-3 lead.
Nickie continued to lead off with another win, backed up by Shelly Harrington meaning Hants wouldn’t be behind at the halfway point. Wins for Dani and Keira Hiscock ensured a 8-6 lead at halfway.
Another ‘W’ for Captain Boyd, as she, Su, and Ashleigh Turner opened up a 5 frame lead. But Beds hit back again, with 3 frames out of the next 4 with only Keira getting a ‘W’ in win column to see set 3 finished at 12-9.
Nickie made it 4/4 as opening bat, and when Su, Shelly and Keira backed up that win, it ensured the Ladies ‘B’ would be taking the spoils. Ashleigh and Kelly Butler claimed 2 of the last 3 and sealed the win.
Player of the Match: Su Kirkland
Captains Comments: Congratulations, Su Kirkland. That is a serious shift on the table. Walking away with 5 wins out of 8 frames across her games is impressive for anyone, but doing it while transitioning to a brand-new rule set? That takes genuine talent and a high cueing IQ.
Adapting to new rules usually messes with a player’s natural rhythm and decision-making. The fact that Su is already dominating and showing off that level of skill and technique speaks volumes about her foundational ability. She’s clearly a natural.
Best of luck to Su Kirkland and the rest of the team for the next match – keep that momentum going!
Hampshire Seniors 17-11 Bedfordshire Seniors
Mark Benzey was another Captain looking to collect a 2nd win and remain unbeaten. Richard Swaffield gave them a good start, but Beds took the next 2 before Benzey, Mick Warner and Kev Vane turn the tie around and put Hants 4-3 up.
Beds took the first 2 frames of the 2nd set, before another win for Mick, followed by wins for Neil Brooker and Rubin Ball. Kev Vane took the last from of the set to give Hampshire an 8-6 lead at the turn.
In set 3, Swaffy extended the lead to 9-6 before Beds closed to within 1 again, but wins for Houston, Brooker and Rubin saw Hampshire take 3 of the last 4 for a 12-9 lead.
Another Swaffy win saw the opening two shared, and after Wayne Lee-Buckland put Hampshire on the hill, it was left to Brooker to seal the win, with further contributions rom Mick and Houston to complete the victory.
Hampshire Masters 17-11 Bedfordshire Masters
Despite the absence of Captain John Randall, the Masters were looking to bounce back from an opening day defeat, and they got off to the perfect start, winning 6 of the first 7 frames thanks to wins for Antony Buss, Tony Stone, Martin Locock, Pete Shaw, Ian Eggar and stand-in Skipper, Dave Howes.
The 2nd set didn’t start as well as Beds took the opening 3 frames, but wins for Shaw and Eggar made sure the Masters held a lead going into set 3.
Hants came flying out of the blocks in set 3, as Locock, Jimmy Ely, Shaw and Dave Howes clinched 4 of the first 5. Antz Buzz added another to put them 2 from victory.
Jimmy Ely opened the 4th set with a win, putting Hampshire on the hill, and despite a mine comeback, it was left to stand-in Captain, Dave Howes to seal the win, with Antz Buss and Tony Stone adding to the win column.
