Andover wins John Ash Trophy

Over the weekend 8/9 February, Andover Bowling Club took part in the John Ash Trophy at Five Rivers indoor bowling centre, Salisbury. The competition is for outdoor clubs with nine teams taking part, the format being two mixed rinks with two points for each winning rink. The top four teams based on the Saturday results would progress to the semi-final/final on the Sunday.

On Saturday, we played four matches, all comprising six ends. First up was Castledown – we won both rinks - followed by Alderbury 1 – again we won both rinks. Next up was Fordingbridge 2, with one rink win, and finally Salisbury with another one rink win. Out of the 16 points available we amassed 12 with a shot score of 82-35. This meant we finished third and would play Wilton (who finished second) in the semi-final of ten ends on the Sunday morning.

Against Wilton, Sue Milton’s rink, consisting of Cathy Hopwood, Steve Baker and Mick Corden, won 14-4 while Gordon Bazley’s rink, featuring Les Reeves, David Hamilton and Cynthia Hamilton, lost 7-9: an overall win of 21-13.

The final in the afternoon was a full length game of 18 ends against Fordingbridge 1. Sue’s rink lost 14-21 against a very strong side. Gordon’s rink were a couple of ends behind due to a dead end but, going into the last end, Andover were 3 up on aggregate. However, Fordingbridge were holding five shots before Cynthia drew shot, which remained until the very tense finale, with the rink score being 20-9 and an overall score therefore of 34-30 to Andover.

This is the first time that Andover have won the Trophy since 2006.

We would not have reached the Sunday games without the efforts on Saturday of Jackie Kingston, Lesley Taylor and Brian Minall who were unable to play on the Sunday. Overall a great team effort.

Gordon Bazley

Andover Men's Team Captain