BOWLS: SUFFOLK'S Adams team who played North Essex at Haverhill, knew they had already secured enough points to take them to the national final at Skegness, but were determined to go there having played six and won six.

SUFFOLK'S Adams team who played North Essex at Haverhill, knew they had already secured enough points to take them to the national final at Skegness, but were determined to go there having played six and won six.

Unfortunately, the rain took its toll and with water standing on the green both sides decided to call it a day after the required number of 24 ends had been achieved.

A five on the first end for Jimmy Summons, Nimbus Bunn and Joe Bugg saw them off to a good start and after 19 ends had an eight-shot lead (20-12) but they failed to score on the remaining five played and lost the rink 20-21.

The score was 19-14 after 19 ends for Mark Moore, Stephen Creasey and Andrew Burch. They then scored on the remaining ends to win 22-14.

Brian Thorpe, Peter Plummer and David Rayfield took the lead on the first end and kept it as they had a comfortable 28-15 win.

A tight game emerged for Ian Anderson, David Cattermole and Rob Felgate but they managed to hang in and win 25-21.

It was presentation spoon time for Stuart Ayers, Ray Utteridge and David Brown with a 36-13 win which only saw their opponents score on eight of the 24 ends played.

David Cattermole (Thorndon), Brian Whatling and Kelly Farman were trailing by one shot after 18 ends 11-12 but they managed six shots to two in the remaining ends to win 17-14.

Suffolk have now played six, won six with 119 points out of a possible 132.

They will play in the final on Sunday, August 19 to defend the trophy they won last year on the Sun Castle Greens at Skegness where their opponents will be Nottinghamshire.

Ends summary (Suffolk First): 5 ends 36-19, 10 ends 65-44, 15 ends 101-59, 20 ends 129-79, 24 ends 148-98.

Suffolk 20 pts North Essex 2 pts.

n The Newton team, playing at Sudbury, knew that even a good win would not qualify them for Skegness but they were able to complete their game as the Sudbury green took the water very well and credit must go to the greenkeepers.

Neil Whitlock, Chris McIntrye and Aran Whatling were determined to record their first win as they had lost two games by one shot and drawn one.

They made no mistake and ran out worthy winners by 33 shots to 24, a coutn of five on the tenth end brought Dennis Ayers, Nigel Coote and Lee Garwood back on level terms (11-11) they took the lead from then on and won by two shots 30-28.

Stephen Utterige, Gerald Coles and Billy Elliston playing together for the fourth time recorded their fourth victory with a 48-22 win and the presentation spoons for the third time.

John Nixon, Clive Baker and David Canfer were 11-15 behind at 15 ends but they managed to pull back and win the rink by tow shots 29-27.

Although not playing badly and at times holding two or three shots, Mark Cole, Mick Page and Willy Wright could only stand and see P Bennet produce some excellent bowls to rob them time and time again to win his rink for North Essex 20-44.

A late call off saw reserve Jimmy Elmer come in for only his second game teaming up with Alan Brunton and Peter Milbourne and recorded a comfortable 34-20 win.

With Suffolk having both the Under 25's and the Adams team at Skegness playing on both the Saturday and Sunday August 18 and 19 a coach will be leaving Ipswich on both days.

For the Under-25s on the Saturday and the Adams on the Sunday, any supporters wishing to travel to Skegness for either day should contact the Suffolk match

secretary Mr R Gathercole on (01359) 240571.

Ends summary (Suffolk names first): Five ends 25-36, ten ends 55-54, 15 ends 99-75, 20 ends 123-109, 25 ends 151-136, 31 ends 194-165.

Suffolk 20pts North Essex 2pts