Ultimate Triples Series 2020 Episode 1
At last the long-awaited Ultimate Triples League is back albeit in a slightly truncated form with six Teams taking part. Our numbers may be down but the quality is probably better than ever with at least 9 players with first team aspirations on show.
Match 1 - Moody Blues v Simply Red:
The Joymiester emerged from Numptyworld and led the magnificent Moody Blues to a two set win and maximum points over a luckless Simply Red (well they said they were unlucky anyway)! The Skipper really (K)enjoyed himself ably supported by Alan Gamblin and Julian Cooke whilst Terry Lemon bowled brilliantly in a losing cause for the Simply Reds. In all fairness Stuart Stephens and Brian Cookson also bowled well but to no avail. The first set was fiercely contested with the Blues stealing it at the death 10-9. The second set was more of a canter finishing 11-3
Match 2 - Pink Floyd V Black Sabbath:
This was something of a heavyweight clash with 4 potential first team players on show plus the evergreen Tony Jennings and Frank Westfield. For the Sabbath Alan Bliss strode onto the Green like the bowling equivalent of W.G. Grace and left it like D.I.S Grace. Sadly it appears that he was totally outbowled by opposing skip John Pinson who confounded those who say he is well past his best, so well done John we are all happy for you. John was supported by Mike Barron and Tony Jennings whilst Graham Cox and Frank Westfield sort of supported Alan Bliss. The first set finished 8-5 to Pink Floyd and the second 9-5 giving all the points to the Floyd.
Match 3 - King Crimson v Deep Purple:
With the best will in the World this match appeared weighted in favour of Deep Purple who boasted a very strong looking team of the mighty Jim Garner, Chris Hollier whose reputation has proceeded him and Dave Kirkham who isn't a bad player either. They were matched against a Crimson team of Geoff Shand, Bill Harris, and Meg Nicklen who put the Purple under extreme pressure, they are a perfectly decent team but honestly which way would you bet?
Anyway, as we all know no sport is won on paper and the Crimsons performed magnificently to take the first set 8-7 and only lost the second 9-10 after being 9-1 up! They were unfortunate to lose the tie break that really could have gone either way. Congratulations to Meg Nicklen for being the first Lady to officially appear in the Ultimate Triples League and didn't she do well!
So well done everybody for turning up and on time, also thanks to those who just came along to support especially the bi-partisan ladies! I hope that everybody enjoyed the evening although we did miss the bacon baps! A special thanks to Chris Dennis for all his work.
I know that everybody accepts that any observations that may appear here are made caringly and constructively (if you believe that you'll believe anything).
Your roving reporter Alan ‘The Quiz’ Gamblin