All match Reviews season 2006.

5-5-06 Llanwern (away).
New Capt No Virgin !!

First game of a new season and 19 players make the short trip to local rivals Llanwern.
New capt Gary Shaw having a bumper turnout to select his first team, with both old and new players.
First leg, first man the winters players player Sean Ahern starts of well with (19), Dean Shaw second up (16), Vice Capt Beryl Merton bowls well for (17) and anchoring the leg steady eddie Keith Bate a solid (20).
A steady 72 leg only 3 pins in it.
Second leg, Lionel Sterry leads the way with an impressive (21), second man Dennis Bieszley unlucky only to score (12) next up a new player but a familiar face, Pat Sterry with a very good (19), showing that it must definately be in the gene's !!Last man John Miles a little fortunate to score (16) only saving himself with a 8 on his last roll.
Only 68 from the second leg and with Llanwern bowling steadily with another 75, 3 pins down becomes 9.
Last leg up and a 9 pin handicap. First man Andy Sterry, completing the sterry trio, scoring (17), next up capt Gary Shaw, perhaps showing his team what he expects from them this season scoring (23) including a 12 spare with his second roll, his first spare thus removing his "" oldest virgin in the ferns "" tag.Very well bowled Gary, lets hope there's more to come.Third man Wayne Jones scoring well with (19) and finally last man Redge Slade, needing a 15 spare to win on his last roll only managed a 6 for a total of (15).

Llanwern winning the game by 10 pins 234 to 224.

Capt's man of the match was Lionel Sterry.
Capt bum of the week was Redge Slade.
Sean Ahern 4 9 6 (19)
Dean Shaw 6 8 2 (16)
Beryl Merton 7 6 4 (17)
Keith Bate 8 7 5 (20)

Lionel Sterry 9 5 7 (21)
Dennis Beiszley 7 3 2 (12)
Pat Sterry 5 6 8 (19)
John Miles 4 4 8 (16)

Andy Sterry 6 5 6 (17)
Gary Shaw 6 12 5 (23)
Wayne Jones 6 6 7 (19)
Redge Slade 6 4 5 (15)

CIVIL 12-05-06.
Home is where the heart is !!

First home game of the season and after a losing start last week a win is needed to get the season going.
First leg and Sean Ahern keeps the first man spot with a steady (17), Mark Healey makes his summer debut scoring (17) vice capt Beryl Merton shows the way with a very well bowled (22) and last man Keith Bate also bowling well (22), a good 78 leg.

Second leg up and last weeks mom Lionel Sterry not reaching the same standard this week only managing (15), Dean Shaw dropping from the first leg last week bowling very well for (21) just missing out on mom, Pat Sterry next up a little unlucky to only score (15) and last man Paul Phelps (16) as usual not happy with himself at all!
A steady second leg doing its job and giving the last leg a 9 pin advantage.

Andy Sterry leading the last leg with (17), Gary Shaw back to earth with a bump (and a sore head probably) with (14), Wayne Jones bowling well for (18) and last man Redge Slade (20).

All in all a good win, never really being under any pressure with each leg playing there part.

Capt's man of the match was Beryl Merton.
Capt bum of the week was himself, Gary Shaw.

S.Ahern 4 6 7 (17)
M.Healey 7 3 7 (17)
B.Merton 6 8 8 (22)
K.Bate 9 8 5 (22)

L.Sterry 4 5 6 (15)
D.Shaw 6 9 6 (21)
P.Sterry 6 3 6 (15)
P.Phelps 4 5 7 (16)

A.Sterry 6 6 5 (17)
G.Shaw 5 5 4 (14)
W.Jones 6 5 7 (18)
R.Slade 7 7 6 (20)

WINDSOR OUTSIDERS 19-05-06
Outsiders let us in !!

Second away game of the season and again a good turn out of 17 players.

First leg and again Sean Ahern leads the way (16),Beryl Merton continuing her good form (21),Mark Healey bowling well (20) and last man Keith Bate also keeping his good form going (20).A very well bowled leg scoring 77, giving the ferns a 14 pin lead !!
Second leg up needing much of the same.Phyllis Johnson leading by example with an excellent three rolls for (23), Dean Shaw (16), Pat Butcher making her debut this season bowling nicely for (17), and Wayne Jones anchoring the leg (16). A steady 72 leg again gaining 9 pins to give the ferns a 23 pin lead going into the last ....

Last leg just having to match there man/lady to secure first away win this season.Andy Sterry (18), Lorraine Perkins making her debut for the ferns and bowling very well (19), capt Gary Shaw putting the icing on the cake securing his second spare of the season (26) and last man Redge Slade (19).Leg score of 82, adding another 9 pins to win by 32..

A good solid performance from the team and with 5 good players on the bench as well !!!

capts man of the match was Phyllis Johnson.
bum of the week went to Sean Ahern.

S.Ahern 4 6 6 (16)
B.Merton 9 5 7 (21)
M.Healey 7 5 8 (20)
K.Bate 6 7 7 (20)

P.Johnson 7 8 8 (23)
D.Shaw 6 6 4 (16)
P.Butcher 7 4 6 (17)
W.Jones 5 5 6 (16)

A.Sterry 6 7 5 (18)
L.Perkins 6 6 7 (19)
G.Shaw 6 8 12 (26)
R.Slade 7 7 5 (19)

NEWPORT COUNTY (away) 2-06-06
All mouth and no trousers ????

After a bye last week and a solid away performance before that hopes are high going into this game.

First leg up and all bowling steady but nothing spectacular, Sean Ahern (16), Beryl Merton (17), Mark Healey (17) and Lionel Sterry (19). A 69 leg giving the ferns a 11 pin lead after a stuttering start from the home team.

Second leg and Dean Shaw promoted to opening man and responding with a good (20), Alan Butcher getting his first start of the season, bowling quite well, when the ball stays on the alley !! so with 4 balls off the alley and 2 bolters a score of (10) with 3 balls wasnt so bad........!!!!, Phyllis Johnson showed the men the way with (20) and the missed chance of a spare on her last roll. Last man John Miles struggling for his form in the league (14). So a score of 64 somehow gained 3 more pins to give a 14 pin lead going into the last.

Last leg and Andy Sterry upto the alley, now with the county's first man starting them off with a spare and scoring 25 across the game was up for grabs, unfortunately the old adage "" it can happen to the best of them "" came very true tonight when Andy scored (10)....... a score i doubt will be repeated for a long time, second up Lorraine Perkins bowling well for (17) showing she is a good new signing for the ferns, third up the capt Gary Shaw who is now under a bit of pressure as the last 2 players need 16 to win...gary scores (15) with a last roll of 6 leaving last man Redge Slade requiring a spare for victory and with a 6 as last roll for (18) across the ferns had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory !!!!!!!!!.

Not a good result considering away matches are hard enough to win without throwing away a 14 pin lead.
Capt's player of the match was Phyllis Johnson
capts bum of the week was Andy Sterry.

S.Ahern 7 4 5 (16)
B.Merton 6 5 6 (17)
M.Healey 6 7 4 (17)
L.Sterry 5 7 4 (19)

D.Shaw 7 7 6 (20)
A.Butcher 5 4 1 (10)
P.Johnson 7 4 9 (20)
J.Miles 5 2 7 (14)

A.Sterry 4 3 3 (10)
L.Perkins 7 5 5 (17)
G.Shaw 4 5 6 (15)
R.Slade 5 7 6 (18)

8-06-06 (home).
GAER PARK SENT PACKING !!!!!!!
with gaer park 2nd and ferns "A" 3rd in the league and the ferns previous week last leg 19 pin capitulation fresh in the mind both teams were showing nerves.gaer park bowled 1st and after stating "we beat llanwern by 40 pins on their alley" the score board after the 1st leg reads a shocking gaer total 49 pins ferns 71, a good 22 pin lead to the ferns well bowled.1st leg again led by s.ahern making this spot his with an impressive (21) closely followed by m.healey and then summer vice captain mrs b.merton both bowling well and scoring (19) each, beryl beating her opposite player by 10 pins. l.sterry supporting the leg and feeling the pressure!!!!!!!! with a disappointing (12) across.2nd leg 1st up and keith "boring" bate excelled with (24) across including a 10 pin spare in his 2nd roll, not so boring anymore, in the winter keith will normally guarantee 17 across but with his summer shirt on he has'nt scored less than 20, perhaps a new position for the winter ???. keith was followed with great bowling from d.shaw (17), mrs p.butcher (17) and j.miles (19) all players unlucky not to score more but 2nd leg 77 plays gaer 71 another 6 pins added to our lead.the 3rd leg now with no pressure on them, just needing steady scores up and down to complete the win and maintain the ferns 28 pin lead (we've been here before) start with winter capt. a.sterry leading the leg and scoring (20) across, losing to his opponent by 1 pin he will be disappointed with this but after last week a definite improvement. 2nd up w.jones returning to the last leg after bowling in the 2nd leg in his last game and scoring (21) across unlucky not to get a spare on his last roll but beats his man by 6 pins restoring the last leg lead. 3rd up a.butcher was unlucky scoring (12) across losing to his player by 8 pins last leg scores so far, ferns 53 gaer 56 1 player left from either side summer capt. g.shaw steps up in his new role of last man having seen his opposite number score 666 for 18 across with the game won will the ferns lose the last leg or can gary save them...........he bowled well 757 and (19) across leg scores ferns 72 gaer 74, ferns win the game by 21 pins 220 199.

captain man of the match keith bate.
captain bum of the week lionel sterry.

s. ahern 8 6 7 (21)
m.healey 6 6 7 (19)
b.merton 5 6 8 (19)
l.sterry 1 5 6 (12)

k.bate 7 10 7 (24)
d.shaw 3 8 6 (17)
p.butcher 6 6 5 (17)
j.miles 5 7 7 (19)

a.sterry 8 6 6 (20)
w.jones 6 6 9 (21)
a.butcher 5 1 6 (12)
g.shaw 7 5 7 (19)
22 -06-06 Saints (away)
Due to the saints being unable to play last fri the game took place on a thursday evening.
First leg and first appearance of the summer season for mr first man, Chris Bate (18) nice steady start, second up Mark Healey bowling very well (21), Sean Ahern consistant as ever (18) enjoying himself in the first leg in the summer and finally Keith Bate (15) dropping down a bit from the high standard he set himself this summer.
A steady 72 leg falling 7 short of the saints 1st leg.

Second leg, Dean Shaw leading the way, but not the right way (10) some poor bowling from dean who is so much better than tonights performance, second man Wayne Jones a little disappointed with(21) after 10 spare to start, Pat Butcher (10) and finally John Miles (19). A total of 60 and with only 2 bowlers performing and the saints again bowling well, a 25 pin lead has been gained by the saints.

Last leg just bowling for pride and of course averages.Paul Phelps makes his second start of the season (19), Fred Perkins makes his debut (11), Gary Shaw (18) and Redge Slade (19), again steady leg but another 12 pins lost !!!.

With the Saints bowling 78,79,78 legs a good old fashioned thumping was given out, although with 3 sub 12 scores the ferns didnt help themselves.

capts man of the match was Wayne Jones.
capts bum of the week was Dean Shaw.

C.Bate 7 6 5 (18).
M.Healey 8 5 8 (21)
S.Ahern 6 6 6 (18)
K.Bate 6 6 3 (15)

D.Shaw 3 4 3 (10)
W.Jones 10 8 3 (21)
P.Butcher 4 2 4 (10)
J.Miles 6 6 7 (19)

P.Phelps 9 5 5 (19)
F.Perkins 2 4 5 (11)
G.Shaw 4 5 9 (18)
R.Slade 5 7 7 (19)

23-06-06 Saints (home)

After last nights thrashing a quick chance to reverse the score at home.
First leg C.Bate (19), second man Mark Healey bowling well again (21), Lorraine Perkins unlucky only to score (12) and Sean Ahern having an off night with (11). only a 63 leg but matched by the saints for level pins.

Second leg up and a good solid leg needed. First up Wayne Jones (20) a good score considering both his eyes were ""shut !" second up Beryl Merton (17), Keith Bate (19) and last man John Miles (16). A 72 leg and with saints replying with a 73, only 1 pin down..

Last leg and all to play for, first roll of 24 loses another 2 pins, second roll of 21 wasn't going to be enough to put enough pressure on the saints who score another 26 so going into the last roll we are 8 down.
Andy Sterry scores 5 for (17), Dean Shaw, struggling for his form, also a 5 (14), Gary Shaw only a 2 (13) and Redge Slade 7 (20). a last roll of only 19...the saints wrap it up with a man to spare...
Another loss (two nights running), hard to take but on both occasions ferns team score only 199.and too many players scoring less than 16...so with the chance of promotion gone for another year a few wins needed to secure our place in the division ready for next season and perhaps for the team as a whole to start performing.

Capts man of the match was R.Slade
capts bum of the week was Gary Shaw.

C.Bate 7 7 5 (19)
M.Healey 6 8 7 (21)
L.Perkins 2 5 5 (12)
S.Ahern 4 3 4 (11)

W.Jones 8 7 5 (20)
B.Merton 4 5 8 (17)
K.Bate 7 7 5 (19)
J.Miles 5 6 5 (16)

A.Sterry 8 4 5 (17)
D.Shaw 3 6 5 (14)
G.Shaw 6 5 2 (13)
R.Slade 7 6 7 (20).

LYSAGHTS CUP (AWAY) WINDSOR
WOBBLE AT THE WINDSOR
Ferns having lost their last 2 league games were looking forward to a change and playing a midweek cup game against a side they whitewashed 3 legs to 0 a few weeks ago, hopes were high.

With 7 players missing including the top 4 performers, the captain only had 11 players turn up, so a chance for some fringe players to shine and force their way into a regular team spot.

1ST LEG. S.AHERN back leading the leg in the absence of c.bate and scoring a good (18) let down by his last roll of 4. 2nd up MRS P.BUTCHER promoted to a 1st leg spot and after a dodgy 2nd roll of 3 did well to recover with an 8 and (17) across. 3rd man J.MILES bowling an excellent (21) and very unlucky not to score more hitting 7 down with his 1st ball but missing with his next 2. Anchoring the leg L.STERRY back to his usual standard and bowling well (19). FERNS 75 WINDSOR 68, 7 up all going to plan.

2ND LEG. again led by W.JONES unlucky with pins not falling but bowling well scoring (19) will be disappointed needing to score 20+ to keep him in the top 4 averages now dropping to 5th. next up MRS L.PERKINS a new player to the ferns started well scoring 19 in her 1st game but not her night a disappointing (13). 3rd up F.PERKINS playing his 2nd game for the ferns and following his partner (13) across. finally D.SHAW struggling for the 3rd game in a row scoring (15) after setting high standards in previous games more expected from dean. FERNS 60 WINDSOR 79. 7 up turned into 12 down.

3RD LEG. after the 2nd leg losing 19 pins the 3rd leg need to perform to rescue the game
1st man A.STERRY under pressure showing some of his old form a well bowled (21). 2nd up A.BUTCHER playing 3rd game of the season scoring (11). 3rd P.PHELPS after answering an sos and rushing to the windsor to give the ferns 12 players bowled well (19). last man CAPT G.SHAW (18) very unlucky but left needing 20 pins with his last 3 balls. FERNS 69 WINDSOR 72. windsor win by 15 pins WINDSOR 219 FERNS 204.
Come on 2nd leg lets leave the last leg glory hunters needing as little to do as possible friday.



S.AHERN 6 8 4 (18)
P.BUTCHER 6 3 8 (17)
J.MILES 7 5 9 (21)
L.STERRY 4 6 9 (19)


W.JONES 8 5 6 (19)
L.PERKINS 4 5 4 (13)
F.PERKINS 3 6 4 (13)
D.SHAW 6 4 5 (15)


A.STERRY 8 7 6 (21)
A.BUTCHER 4 4 3 (11)
P.PHELPS 8 5 6 (19)
G.SHAW 6 8 4 (18)


30-06-06 GAER PARK (away).
After the midweek disapointment of going out of the cup back to league matters and points a must !!

First leg away started by Sean Ahern regaining his opening spot and bowling very well (19), Vice Capt Beryl merton (16), Dean Shaw just making it into the team surely on his final chance, showing a bit of grit and bowling quiet well for (19) although 1 ball going "off the alley" before it even really got on the alley in his second roll could well have lost him a man of the match !! Lionel "Nash" Sterry anchoring the leg with a solid (20) just before he shouted bye and legged it down the street chasing the bus !!
So a 74 leg giving the ferns 2 pin advantage.

Second leg or "crumble leg" as its becoming known, Wayne Jones continuing his good summer with (18), Pat Butcher keeping her place a little unlucky only to score (16), Fred Perkins proving that its third time lucky as he bowls very well for (20) and a little under par John Miles only managing (15).
A 69 leg, steady but nothing great, but on the other hand no crumbling !!, with the Gaer only rolling 62 another 7 pins gained. So well played the second leg.

A 9 pin advantage for the final leg to hold onto or even build on, first up Andy Sterry finally starting to show some form (22) very well bowled, Lorraine Perkins a little hit n miss (14), Gary Shaw steady for (17) and last man Redge Slade (18).
A 71 leg only losing by the odd pin.
Job done and the double done over the Gaer Park, important points and also a good team performance.

capts player of the match was A.Sterry
capts bum of the week was L.Perkins

S Ahern 7 8 4 (19).
B Merton 6 6 4 (16)
D Shaw 8 4 7 (19)
L.Sterry 8 6 6 (20)

W.Jones 4 7 7 (18)
P Butcher 7 4 5 (16)
F.Perkins 7 7 6 (20)
J.Miles 6 6 3 (15)

A.Sterry 7 8 7 (22)
L.Perkins 7 2 5 (14)
G Shaw 6 6 5 (17)
R.Slade 7 4 7 (18).


Newport County (home) 7-07-06.
A home game and the chance to get back to back wins ????

First leg and Sean Ahern a little unlucky for (14), Beryl Merton (17), Dean Shaw (12) and last man Lionel Sterry bowling excellently for (22) pushing the first leg score up to 65. With the county not getting going at all with a 56 a 9 pin advantage gained .

Second leg ......again the team holds its breath....Wayne Jones leading the way a little unlucky to only get (15), Pat Butcher (13) not helped by a 3 on her last roll, Phyllis Johnson losing her top average spot with (14) and John Miles still not getting the breaks this summer (15).
So again a second leg that doesnt score 60 never mind 70 !!, but the county themselves have a middle order collapse managing a 55 to the ferns 57 ....so unbelievably another 2 pins gained !!

Last leg in the ideal position having to just hold there own to win.
First roll of only 17 starts to get the nerves twitching as the county score 24 to close the gap to only 4 pins.!
Second roll of 19 doesnt do much to calm the nerves as the county claw another 2 pins back to only be losing by 2 !!!!
So county roll a 21 leaving the ferns 20 to win..

Third rolls and Andy Sterry saves himself with an 8 (14), Alan Butcher doubles his score with a 5 (10), Gary Shaw a 4 (16) leaving Redge Slade just 2 pins to win ... a solid 7 (20) seals the victory.

In the end a 5 pin victory that could of slipped away.... back to back wins and even with a very low scoring game some good performances.

Capt player of the match was L.Sterry
Capt bum of the week was D.Shaw.

S.Ahern 4 6 4 (14)
B.Merton 8 4 5 (17)
D.Shaw 1 4 7 (12)
L.Sterry 7 8 7 (22)

W.Jones 6 4 5 (15)
P.Butcher 4 6 3 (13)
P.Johnson 3 5 6 (14)
J.Miles 2 7 6 (15)

A.Sterry 2 4 8 (14)
A.Butcher 4 1 5 (10)
G.Shaw 5 7 4 (16)
R.Slade 6 7 7 (20).

21-7-06 Windsor (home).
Home fixture against the bottom team in the league and a real chance to get 3 in a row !!

First leg and Pat Butcher leading the way only let down by her final roll (12), Vice capt Beryl merton stepping into the capts shoes for the evening with gary away on holiday, leads by example with an excellent (20), Dennis Beizley getting a rare start also let down by his final roll (13) and finally Lionel Sterry continuing his very good season starting with a 12 spare for (26).Solid 71 leg giving the ferns a 8 pin advantage.

Second leg, deep breaths everyone......
Gareth Butcher gets a call up due to a bare 12, bowls well (15), Mark Healey has just one of those nights where nothing falls except his average (9) !!!, John Miles still struggling for form (13) and finally Paul Phelps nice and steady (18).
Again the second leg is very disapointing only managing 55 with the windsor scoring 69 the 8 pin advantage becomes a 6 pin deficit !!

So the last leg have it all to do. After the first roll another 2 pins are lost 28 to 26. Second roll and the windsor open the door only managing 17 and with the ferns scoring 28 suddenly the ferns are 5 pins up..last roll the windsor score 26 including a 10 spare to put some pressure on 22 needed to win..
Phyllis Johnson bowls very well 8 on last roll for (21), Wayne Jones 5 (18), 9 more pins needed.... Andy Sterry suddenly decides to find his form and hits an excellent 13 spare for (29), game over, Redge Slade (15).
So the game is won by 6 pins and 3 wins in a row!!!

Capts player of the match was Andy Sterry.
Capts Bum of the week was Mark Healey.

P.Butcher 7 4 1 (12)
B.Merton 4 7 9 (20)
D.Beizsley 6 5 2 (13)
L.Sterry 12 7 7 (26)

G.Butcher 8 3 4 (15)
M.Healey 4 3 2 (9)
J.Miles 7 3 3 (13)
P.Phelps 5 7 6 (18)

P.Johnson 7 6 8 (21)
W.Jones 5 8 5 (18)
A.Sterry 8 8 13 (29)
R.Slade 6 6 3 (15).

28-07-06 Civil Service (away).

Tricky away game, First leg Fred Perkins gets to lead the way, a little unlucky (14), vice capt Beryl Merton shows ""that it CAN happen to anyone"" scoring (6) with rolls of 1,2,3 !!!!!!
Third up Dean Shaw back of holidays (15) and finally Lionel Sterry (15). So only a 50 to start !! and already 18 pins down, looks like it could be a long night.

Second leg Wayne Jones (16), Lorraine Perkins (14), Phyllis Johnson (17) and John Miles (15) any other night and the second leg would have done ok but with the civil going for the kill another 17 pins lost .....35 down going into the last leg .

Last Leg Andy Sterry unable to repeat last weeks heroics (16), Pat Butcher (12), Gary Shaw also back from holidays (18) and Redge Slade (16). Last leg top scoring for the ferns with 63 !!!!.... but there was no let up from the civil scoring a 81 !.
A thoroughly good thumping, eventually losing by 53 pins !!!!!!!!!!!. With 11 of the 12 ferns players losing against there man, only capt gary shaw drawing with his man with 18, then nothing but a defeat was deserved.

Capts player of the match was P.Johnson
Capts bum of the week was B.Merton.

F.Perkins 3 6 5 (14)
B.Merton 1 2 3 (6)
D.Shaw 5 4 6 (15)
L.Sterry 5 5 5 (15)

W.Jones 5 6 5 (16)
L.Perkins 3 5 6 (14)
P.Johnson 4 7 6 (17)
J.Miles 7 2 6 (15)

A.Sterry 4 5 7 (16)
P.Butcher 4 3 5 (12)
G.Shaw 6 6 6 (18)
R.Slade 5 6 5 (16).

04-08-06. Llanwern (Home).
Last game of the season ?!?!?! ...or not ....
A win definately needed for any outside chance of a playoff ...

First leg away Sean Ahern back from his holidays and back with a very good (20), Beryl Merton back to her usual standard after last weeks blip (18), Mark Healey keeping the leg score up bowling well (18) and finally Lionel Sterry losing his average on his last roll (10). A leg score of 66 giving the ferns a early 5 pin lead.

Second leg ..... Keith Bates also welcomed back after his hols unfortunately keith left his bowling arm on hols (11) the top average suddenly a lot closer for a lot of players and with Phyllis Johnson following Lionel and keiths lead (11) the top 3 players in the averages all disapoint. Dean Shaw only manages a 1 on his last roll (13) and last man John Miles (18). Again the second leg struggle only scoring 53...with the Llanwern scoring a 69 the 5 pins up become 11 pins down !!!!

Last leg with it all to do....first roll of 28 manages to pull 4 back ..only 7 down ...second roll ferns manage a 24 but the Llanwern have a collapse only managing 16 , so ferns 1 up.
A strong final roll to really put the pressure on, Andy Sterry gets a 8 (19), Wayne Jones 5 (18) Capt Gary Shaw a 6, to go with his two 9's from the first two rolls (24) bowling very very well unlucky not to have a least 1 spare and last man Redge Slade hitting a 9 (19) for a last roll total of 28, leaving the Llanwern wanting 30 to win......
only a 19 scored so victory to the ferns in the last game of the season........an excellent fight back lead by the capt in the last leg and whether its enough for a playoff place or not a good way to end the season .....

Capts player of the match S.Ahern
capts bum of the match L.Sterry.

S.Ahern 6 8 6 (20)
B.Merton 5 7 6 (18)
M.Healey 5 6 7 (18)
L.Sterry 4 5 1 (10)

K.Bate 2 3 6 (11)
P.Johnson 1 5 5 (11)
D.Shaw 5 7 1 (13)
J.Miles 6 5 7 (18)

A.Sterry 5 6 8 (19)
W.Jones 7 6 5 (18)
G.Shaw 9 9 6 (24)
R.Slade 7 3 9 (19).

THE PLAYOFF 08-08-06
FERNS V CIVIL V GAER @ RINGLAND LAB

So it all comes down to a 3 way playoff, winners taking the title and promotion, second place also promotion and nothing for 3rd.

With only the vice capt Beryl unable to attend due an illness all of the ferns players put themselves forward for selection and made the trip to Ringland.

Opposing capts made the toss and running order was civil 1st up then ferns followed by the gaer.
First leg up the civil started with a 57 leg Ferns replying with 73....Chris Bate first man a steady (16), Mark Healey bowling very well after a 10 spare to start for (21), Phyllis Johnson (17) recovering after a 3 to start and Lionel Sterry again bowling well for (19)....the gaer start with a 63 leg.
So 1st leg done ferns 16 up on civil and 10 up on Gaer, much more than anyone from the ferns could of dreamt off the perfect start.

Second leg civil roll a 59, ferns respond with a 61.....Sean Ahern leading the way again bowling nice n steady (17), Keith Bate keeping his good season going till the end (18), Dean Shaw struggling for form on this alley (11) and last man John Miles having a quiet season (15).....Gaer roll 60 leg.
So second leg, which for has been a struggle all season for the ferns manage to gain more pins on both teams...20 up on civil and 11 up on gaer.

Last leg and the capt sticks to his tried and tested last leg.
Civil roll a 19 on the first roll and put themselves out of contention, its simply a 2 horse race.....
Ferns first roll 6, 5, 6, 6 for 23 nothing spectacular but a solid roll. Gaer respond with a 25 cutting the lead from 11 pins down to 9.
Second roll, again the ferns nice and solid rolling 4 sixes for 24 but again the Gaer manage to cut the lead by 2 pins scoring a 26, the lead down to 7 pins.

So last roll and with a 7 pin advantage a steady 24 would force the gaer into the 30's.
First man Andy Sterry follows his 2 sixes with a 5 for (17), Wayne Jones after 5, 6 start finds his first 2 balls go straight through.....suddenly the atmosphere has changed..... he manages to avoid the dreaded zero catching a pin with his last (12). Third man Capt Gary Shaw follows his 6,6 start with a 5 to match andys (17) last man Redge Slade knows even with the 7 pin advantage the ferns only lead by 18 ....Redge follows his 6, 6 start with a 8 (20) giving the ferns a 26 pin lead leaving Gaer 27 to win !!
The Gaer start strong with a 8, 7 third man rolls a 8 to give them a 23 with there last man needing a 4 to win....he scores a .....6.
A last leg 80 from the Gaer to secure the Title and promotion by 3 pins from the Ferns who finish as runners-up 20 pins ahead of the civil.
Congrats to the Gaer

In the clear light of day after the big disapointment on the night, promotion was the main aim at the start of the season and it was achieved.
As a team it was a good season with some new players coming in and playing well as well as the older established ones.
Capt and Vice have to be thanked for the way they both lead from the front both bowling very well all season ( we wont mention away to the civil, ok beryl...).
Look out the first div next season and a very very local derby....up the fernettes !!!!