INDOOR BOWLS: Suffolk 124 Lincolnshire 125. ALTHOUGH going down by one shot overall Suffolk put in a far better performance in their second Eastern Counties League match of the season.

Indoor Bowls

Suffolk 124, Lincolnshire 125

ALTHOUGH going down by one shot overall Suffolk put in a far better performance in their second Eastern Counties League match of the season.

Winning on four of the six rinks Suffolk could justifiably feel that they should have managed a much needed victory.

Suffolk's downfall was at the away venue of Long Sutton where the rinks of Bill Gathercole and Ian Platford both went down heavily.

The Lowestoft rink never really mastered the Lincs rink skipped by Billy Jackson and although picking up seven shots over the final four ends only manager to score on three other ends to lost by 14 shots.

Not the best of matches for Bill Gathercole's rink who only managed to win six of the 21 ends against Trevor Bannister and went down by 20 shots.

Better news though for Jon Nixon, Derek Loram, David Revell and John Chalk who picked up two counts of four, a six and also a count of seven in their match against Mike Smith to record a 14 shot victory.

It has been quite a while since Suffolk have managed to win on all rinks at the home venue, Mid Suffolk.

A remarkable first win for skip Andy Phillips, against new England international Dean Aukland, by one sot after the umpire was called on to measure the last end which ended in a tie. Phillips was more than ably supported by Steve Botten, Charles Clarke and Mark Stannard having his first match as number three.

After getting off to a flying start it was a nail biting finish for the home rink of Stuart Fuller, Richard Leeder, Bob King and Carl Finbow, after the Lincs rink came within 3 shots of them, but Finbow managed to draw the shot and add another on the final end to secure a five shot victory.

Always full of enthusiasm for the game belying the fact that he is now a great-grandfather Alfie Chambers led his rink in typical fashion to secure a 13 shot victory over Mark Dolby.

Rink details: At Long Sutton: Jon Nixon, Derek Loram, David Revell, John Chalk 30, M. Smith 16; W. Lyon, J. Rushmere, T. Cunningham, I. Platford 12, B. Jackson 26; N. Pallant, D. Wright, P. Haylock, B. Gathcole 11, T. Bannister 31. At Mid Suffolk: S. Fuller, R. Leeder, B. King, C. Finbow 21, G. Draper 16; S. Botten, C. Clarke, M. Stannard, A. Phillips 22, D. Aukland 21; J. Shave, B. Firman, R. Maskell, A. Chambers 28, M. Dolby 15.

Under 25s

Suffolk 26, Lincolnshire 43

TWO very good matches saw the Suffolk under 25's just losing out to Lincolnshire by 17 shots.

A dreadful start by the Suffolk rink at Mid Suffolk saw them 14-1 down after ten ends, but to their credit the Suffolk rink hit back in the second half to score 12 shots to their opponents 8. The rink is gaining in experience after every match and with the Lincolnshire side containing four under 25 internationals the Suffolk side put in a very good performance.

Matching the Lincs side for most of the match, Michael Hawes, Bill Watkins, Sean cook and Stuart Gaught were one up after 12 ends, but in a final flourish Lincs stole the match by 6 shots.

Rink details: M. Hawes, W. Watkins, S. Cook, S. Gaught 15, R. Ayers 21; L. Botten, O. Welton, M. Thorrington, J. Bloom 13, S. Dumaam 22.