As previous readers will know, we went into this match with our fate in our own hands.
A win by 20 points or better would confirm Suffolk as Eastern Counties League Champions for 2024. a win by 19 points and a big shot difference would give Hertfordshire an outside chance of sneaking the title again. Team Manager Adrian Beecroft's quiet but positive team talk sent the boys out in a determined mood.
As the early stages of the match went on, it soon became apparent that the match win was on the cards but the number of rink wins was in doubt. At the halfway mark Suffolk were up
58 - 44 overall but the rink score was 3-2 to us and 1 rink tied . By end 15 it was 85 - 77 in Suffolk's favour but it was 3 rinks all
Entering the final quarter, it was obvious the match, and the title, hinged on two rinks - Joe Sims' set on rink 1 and the Executive Rink who, strangely given their results during the previous matches, were taking a bit of a battering on rink 5,
Joe and the boys were nip and tuck all the way through the game until end 19 where they picked up a 4 to take a 3 shot lead which they then held and extended to run out winners 25 - 20.
All eyes then turned to the Exec rink who were last to finish. After 15 ends Suffolk Exec were 17 - 5 down when, all of a sudden, they won the next 4 ends 4/6/1/3 to move two shots clear. The Essex set responded with a 2 to tie the score but John Rednall and Co. with the whole team watching, hit back on the final end with a single to take the game, and confirm the title win. What a way to end a match and the League season !!
To put a cherry on the cake, by winning that last end, the Suffolk Exec rink has remained unbeaten all season and wins the Executive Rink Table with 8 points and a shot differential of +25
Final Score: Suffolk 136 - 100 Essex
Points Score: Suffolk 20 - 2 Essex
Top Suffolk Rink: Adam Turner, Bob Sillett, Ben Beamish and Mark Euston
Final League Table: Position - Champions, Played 4, Won 3, lost 1 Shot Diff. 82 Points 62
So, well done to everyone who has played for Suffolk in the Eastern Counties League fixtures this season and thank you to all those that have turned up to support the team.
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