Wots Ganin

Warwickshire took a trip down the M5 to take on Worcestershire, but the match was delayed because some twat decided to roll his f**king caravan over and block the motorway off for a couple of hours! This despite the fact that there were signs splattered all over the place saying, “Beware of cross winds” and “Last year 281 accidents involving caravans” – best make that 282 mate!!!

Paul Willis and Chris Lowe both managed credible 3 out of 4’s with Chris.. Pictured being awarded the player of the match trophy.

Team: Rich Mills, Nige Griffiths, Steve Valentine, Dave Hegarty, Sam Mills, Paul Willis, Craig Sturmey, Chris Lowe, Daz Lee, Baz Hinde and Rob Butterworth

When the match finally got underway, Warks A made a steady start, just being edged out of the 1^st section 5-6. Next section was a nightmare as they lost 3-8 to be trailing 8-14 at the halfway point. An impressive recovery in the 3^rd section saw Warks win 6-5 to take the score to 14-19 going into the final section. Nige Griffiths & Steve Valentine pulled it back to 16-19 before Worcester increased their lead to 22-16. Rich Mills pulled one back for Warks only to see Worcester get the winner in the next frame.

This was a crunch match for Warwickshire B as they were 1 point behind Northants B and 1 point in front of Worcester B, so a lot to play for. A steady start saw Worcester take the 1^st section 6-5 and Warks came back to go 8-6 in front until they lost 5 straight frames in a row, losing the section 6-5 again. Total F**king meltdown in the 3^rd section which Warks lost 9-2 to go into the final section trailing 21-13 and needing a miracle. Unfortunately, miracles weren’t forthcoming and we lost the section 6-5 to lose the match 27-17 overall – our worst defeat of the season.

A couple of players missing for the B team provided openings for Steve Valentine and Dave Hegarty to get their first start in a county match as the team attempted to build on their 2 out of 2 winning start to the 2008 campaign.

Aaron Easson and captain, Dave Collins both got 3 out of 4 with Azza being awarded the Man of the match trophy.

Team: Russ Blinco, Roy Pontefract, Dave Lea, Keith “Mank” Garner, Martin “Benji” Groves, Dave Collins, Craig West, Mark “Chappers” Chapman, Matty Allen, Russ Harding, Aaron Easson, Howard Bailie, Dave Easson, Neil Pincham and Gaz Calcott

In the Ladies match, it was Worcester who were struggling for players as they could only field the minimum requirement of 9. Despite the fact that they gave away 2 frames, Worcester won the 1^st section 7-4 , but Warks took the 2^nd 6-5 to make it 12-10 at the halfway stage. A much better performance from the Girls in the 3^rd section saw them win 7-4 to be 17-16 in front going into the final stretch. Warks were given the first frame only to see Worcester win 5 in a row to go 21-18 in front. Ali Wilkins & Hazel Payne pulled 2 back, Worcester made it 22-20 and it was down to Skye Smith and Kat Jarvis to take the last 2 frames to earn Warwickshire Ladies a draw.

Team: Katie Bonham, Charlie Scarff, Lorna Kernaghan, Wendy Forde, Sally Brazener, Ali Wilkins, Hazel Payne, Kat Jarvis, Skye Smith, Tracey Layfield and Vicky Moore.

Superb 4 out of 4’s once again from Hazel Payne and Ali Wilkins, both of whom have played exceptionally well this season. However, it was Skye Smith’s 3 out 4 performance that was judged by Worcester’s captain to be worthy of the Player of the match trophy.