All reviews (2007)

11-05-07 , A V B
The Bragging rights cup, up for grabs.

So a new season in the top Division and the most local of derby's to get us going !!
Capt Gary Shaw with newly appointed vice Lorraine Perkins hoping for a good start.
For the first time (that im aware) in a competitive match the two ferns teams come up against one another !!
First leg of the new season and Sean Ahern leads the way a touch unlucky only to score (13), Andy Sterry in early and bowling very well (24) perhaps a pointer to the other team ? Pat Butcher bowls very well (17) and Lionel Sterry (18) continuing his good form from the winter league and under some pressure from the opposition. A 72 leg giving us a 1 pin advantage.

Second leg and the captain hoping for more of the same in what was always going to be a tight game.First man John Miles rising to the challenge (22) with plenty of back chat to the B side. Beryl Merton next up bowled well (16) even with some badly timed barracking from one of her own !! Fred Perkins steady (15) and last man Dean Shaw (18). A 71 leg good enough to gain another 8 pins, 9 up going into the last.

Last leg and all still to play for. First roll up ,3,3,4,4 (14) was however, not what was needed and the B team took full advantage going from 9 down to 7 up. The next 2 rolls went tit for tat with the B gaining another 3 pins. Chris Bate (15), Stuart Cleaves(17), Gary Shaw (15) and Redge Slade (17) had done ok for the last 2 rolls but the damage had been done by the first very slack roll. Final result the B won by 10 pins, a disapointing result , but for 1 bad roll the result could of gone the other way. next time !!
Capts man of match was Andy Sterry
Capts bum was Sean Ahern

Sean Ahern 5 3 5 (13)
Andy Sterry 8 9 7 (24)
Pat Butcher 7 5 5 (17)
Lionel Sterry 6 5 7 (18)

John Miles 7 8 7 (22)
Beryl Merton 6 6 4 (16)
Fred Perkins 6 3 6 (15)
Dean Shaw 4 6 8 (18)

Chris Bate 3 6 6 (15)
Stuart Cleaves 3 7 7 (17)
Gary Shaw 4 7 4 (15)
Redge Slade 4 8 5 (17)

18-05-07 LYSAGHTS (HOME)

First home game of the season !!
Lysaghts Gwent last years champions welcomed to the ferns. First leg and the capt deciding to show the way (18) nice steady to get things going, Mark Healey next up making his first start this summer again steady (17). This years Vice Capt making her first start, Lorraine Perkins bowling well (16)and last man Lionel Sterry (21) again hitting everything he went for, at least thats what he said !!.
So first leg hitting 72 gaining a 1 pin advantage, exactly the same as last week, hopefully not the same outcome..

Second leg up and John Miles keeping the opening position (15) Beryl Merton next up spoiling a good score with her last roll (14). Chris Stocker making his summer debut bowling very well beating his highest winter score (19) and last man Dean Shaw keeping his winter form going with a 11 spare in his 2nd roll (22). A 70 leg gaining another pin so 2 up going into the last leg.

Andy Sterry opening the bowling back to a more acustomed position (19), Fred Perkins again nice and steady (16), Wajne Jones making his first summer start (14) not quite finding his range and Redge Slade (20). A solid leg all round only for 69 but good enough to see off the Lysaghts who could only manage a 62 giving the ferns a 9 pin victory and first points in the top division.

Capts man of match was Chris Stocker.
Capts bum was John Miles

Gary Shaw 5 7 6 (18)
Mark Healey 9 5 3 (17)
Lorraine Perkins 6 6 4 (16)
Lionel Sterry 9 7 5 (21)

John Miles 6 3 6 (15)
Beryl Merton 6 6 2 (14)
Chris Stocker 8 6 5 (19)
Dean Shaw 6 11 5 (22)

Andy Sterry 7 6 6 (19)
Fred Perkins 3 8 5 (16)
Wayne Jones 3 7 4 (14)
Redge Slade 6 7 7 (20)

25-05-07 Newport Galvanisers (away)

Happy Hunting ground ?

The Courtyabella had been a good alley to the ferns of late, it was hoped that that run would continue tonight.
First leg and first man Chris Bate in his preferred place bowling very well (22) perhaps sending a message to the capt!.Second up Mark Healey going along very nicely till a "zero" on his last roll left more than his averages dented (14). Third up Pat Butcher again showing that her bowling is much improved (18) and last man Lionel Sterry again scoring very well (20). A good 74 leg even without marks smilie face !! Galv responded with a 75, 1 down then.

Second leg and Dean Shaw moved from last to first and responded with a very good (21) Phyllis Johnson gets her first game of the season (15) Stuart Cleaves steady (17) and John Miles changing position also responds well (19). A 72 leg with galv getting 68. Some good bowling giving the ferns a 3 pin lead going into the last.

Last leg and Andy Sterry leads the way (20), Fred Perkins again nice n steady and a touch unlucky not to score more (19) Gary Shaw hitting the winning pins on his last roll to secure the win (21) and Redge Slade spoiling his averages with a 1 off his last roll for (11). Ferns win by 11 another 2 points.


Capts man of match was Pat Butcher.
Capts bum was Redge Slade

Chris Bate 6 8 8 (22)
Mark Healey 8 6 0 (14)
Pat Butcher 6 5 7 (18)
Lionel Sterry 7 6 7 (20)

Dean Shaw 8 7 6 (21)
Phyllis Johnson 6 5 4 (15)
Stuart Cleaves 8 6 3 (17)
John Miles 8 7 4 (19)

Andy Sterry 5 9 6 (20)
Fred Perkins 9 7 3 (19)
Gary Shaw 6 8 7 (21)
Redge Slade 4 6 1 (11)


8-06-07 Gaer Park Rollers (away)


After last weeks blank week it was hoped to continue the 2 run winning streak...
Well with players missing through holidays or illness then a quick phone call to drag wayne from the shower gave the ferns the 10 players req !!!

First leg and Andy Sterry leading the way slightly unlucky not to score more (17) Pat Butcher unable to find her range on the wooden alley (12) Keith Bate was welcomed back after his operation and passed himself fit to play, i think everybody was glad to see keith back on the alley, slightly rusty to be expected (15), Lionel Sterry again anchoring the leg very well(18). Only a 62 leg but the gaer not taking full advantage with a 69.

Second leg, and with the two lowest scores having to play again the pressure was on. First man John Miles bowling well and deserved more (17) Beryl Merton finding her old form (17) Redge Slade moved from last leg bowling well (22) and Gary Shaw only let down by a 3 in his last roll (17). A 73 leg that could of been 5 or 6 pins better, but with gaer scoring 71 at least 2 pins pulled back.

Last leg and 5 pins down so all to play for. Wayne had dried himself off but couldnt get to grips with the alley (13) though not from the want of trying, Alan Butcher made his first start of the summer and was unlucky to only score (15) especially with a 4 on his last roll that had 2 bolters. Keith and Pat had to play again as the 2 lowest scores and Keith responded with a excellent (22) unfortunately with Pat being the lowest score she had to play as last man as stated in the rules, this isnt pats position although again she was unlucky not to score a few more (14).A low scoring game a 64 in the last with the gaer scoring 66 to win by 8.


Capts man of match was Redge Slade.
Capts bum was Wayne Jones.

Andy Sterry 5 7 5 (17)
Pat Butcher 3 4 5 (12)
Keith Bate 4 5 6 (15)
Lionel Sterry 4 7 7 (18)

John Miles 5 7 5 (17)
Beryl Merton 6 6 5 (17)
Redge Slade 7 8 7 (22)
Gary Shaw 7 7 3 (17)


Wayne Jones 1 3 7 (13)
Alan Butcher 4 7 4 (15)
Keith Bate 7 8 7 (22)
Pat Butcher 4 3 7 (14)


15-06-07 Ocean II (Home)


Home to the Ocean and after lasts weeks bare 10 this week the capt had 15 players available for selection.
First leg and capt Gary Shaw deciding to lead the way (14) not what he had hoped for with a couple off target !, Mark Healey up next bowling well (19) Pat Butcher continuing to improve (15) again a little unlucky not to score a few more. Last man Keith Bate also suffering (15).A poor 63 but the ocean not really taking advantage only managing 66, so 3 down going into the second.

Second leg and John Miles hoping to get things going on what seemed to be a very quiet, subdued friday night, (14) for John, next up Lorraine Perkins on her third appearence, her third (16). Stuart Cleaves back in the team (16) and last man Andy Sterry bowling very well (22). A 68 leg matched by a 68 from the ocean, so still 3 down.

Last leg and only 3 pins down, but.... first roll and a repeat of the first game of the season, a 14 roll with 7,1,3,3 scored, a gift given to the ocean to surge ahead which they took with a 27 roll so the 3 down became 16 !! The next two rolls again as earlier in the season were a lot better but the damage had been done. The only high point to come from the last leg was some excellent bowling from Fred Perkins (24). Wayne Jones just cant buy a score at the moment (11), Chris Stocker bowled well to recover from his 3 to start (16) as did last man Redge Slade (17). But as stated the damage had been done in the first roll and although 6 pins were pulled back in the next two rolls the game was lost by 10 pins !!.
Again in this game a familiar pattern was shown regardless of the team line -up. All three leg scores were in the 60's this is never going to be enough to win in most games, so as a leg whoever that may be and as a team as a whole we need to up our scores by a few pins each !!!

Capts man of match was Fred Perkins
Capts bum was Gary Shaw.


Gary Shaw 6 4 4 (14)
Mark Healey 8 5 6 (19)
Pat Butcher 5 7 3 (15)
Keith Bate 5 6 4 (15)

John Miles 4 6 4 (14)
Lorraine perkins 6 6 4 (16)
Stuart Cleaves 5 5 6 (16)
Andy Sterry 8 8 6 (22)


Fred Perkins 7 8 9 (24)
Wayne Jones 1 4 6 (11)
Chris Stocker 3 7 6 (16)
Redge Slade 3 7 7 (17).


20-06-07 Lysaghts cup Qtrs v Ocean II (Home)


Home to the Ocean midweek after last fridays loss a chance for quick revenge.
Only eleven to choose from so 1 player would need to double up. First leg and John Miles got the ball rolling a steady improvement on his last score (17) Stuart Cleaves bowling well (19) Fred Perkins let down by his second roll of 2 unable to keep his good run of scores of late going (12) and last man Gary Shaw bowling well (20). A 68 leg against the oceans 71, 3 down.
Second leg and first man Wayne Jones getting back to form after a very slow start to the summer season (23) leaving the winter blue suede shoes at home may be the answer ? Second up Beryl Merton also showing form of old (19) bowling well. Third up Lorraine Perkins ......with a (2) to start and the fact that lorraine had left her glasses at home nobody even thought that that was the end of her scoring but unbelievably it was !!! Last man Redge Slade not helping matters (11) equalling his lowest score with some pretty poor bowling. A poor 55 leg got deservedly punished by 14 pins. 17 down going into the last.

Last leg and with the lowest scorer having to go again ,( lorraine with 2 !),things were not looking good to say the least.
First up Alan Butcher recovering a little after a 1 to start (10), Pat Butcher next continuing her good form (17), Andy Sterry bowling well (21) and last up Lorraine Perkins managing a better score (14) all of which meant the ocean didnt require there last roll !!
A poor show from the ferns on there own alley and surely the only way from here is up...

Capts man of match was Wayne Jones
Capts bum was Lorraine Perkins.


John Miles 4 7 6 (17)
Stuart Cleaves 8 7 4 (19)
Fred Perkins 5 2 5 (12)
Gary Shaw 6 6 8 (20)

Wayne Jones 8 8 7 (23)
Beryl Merton 7 6 6 (19)
Lorraine Perkins 2 0 0 (2)
Redge Slade 3 2 6 (11)

Alan Butcher 1 4 5 (10)
Pat Butcher 6 6 5 (17)
Andy Sterry 8 7 6 (21)
Lorraine Perkins 6 5 3 (14)


22-06-07 Columba (Home)


After the poor mid week cup display a good chance to put things right.!!
First leg and Beryl Merton opening up for the ferns with a well bowled (19), Lorraine Perkins with her glasses, ! again for the fourth time in the league scoring steadily (16), Pat Butcher again showing her much improved skittling (17) and Mark Healey anchoring the leg (16). A 68 leg, which raised a few smiles, was good enough against the columba's 55, thirteen up a good start.
Second leg and John Miles showing the way (19) followed by some good bowling by Phyllis Johnson (19).Next up Alan Butcher getting his second league start, scoring (7) but the main problem being that on each roll only 1 ball out of the 3 was on target and with 6 from the first roll off 1 ball, but bolters from the other 2 good balls Alan was always struggling to get a good score. Keep them on the alley Alan give yourself a chance !!.Last man Andy Sterry as reliable as ever (21).Again a leg score in the sixty's, 66 and with the columba scoring 72 the thirteen pin lead was down to 7.
Last leg and all the players had to do was hold there man....First up Fred Perkins back to his best after lasts week blip (21), Stuart Cleaves again showing his consistancy of late (18), Wayne Jones also bowling well (19) and Redge Slade (17). Finally a leg score in the seventies, 75 beating the columba by 7 and securing the win.
As a team a much better bowling performance with only the 1 score below 16, but still only 1 leg score in the seventies !!

Capts man of match was Andy Sterry
Capts bum was Alan Butcher.


Beryl Merton 7 7 5 (19)
Lorraine Perkins 6 5 5 (16)
Pat Butcher 5 7 5 (17)
Mark Healey 3 5 8 (16)

John Miles 6 6 7 (19)
Phyllis Johnson 5 6 8 (19)
Alan Butcher 6 1 0 ( 7)
Andy Sterry 6 7 8 (21)

Fred Perkins 9 7 5 (21)
Stuart Cleaves 6 7 5 (18)
Wayne Jones 6 7 6 (19)
Redge Slade 4 7 6 (17)


29-06-07 Columba (away)


The turnaround in the league so first chance to do the double....
First up and John Miles up (14), Mark Healey (15), Chris Stocker picking up a good score matching his highest so far (19), Lionel Sterry steady as ever (17). Again a leg score in the sixties (65) fortunately the columba only hitting 62, a 3 pin lead.

Second leg is taken over by the ladies, Beryl Merton leading the way a little under par (14), Pat Butcher again bowling well (17), Lorraine Perkins struggling on the alley (10) and finally Phyllis Johnson bowling well (17).A 58 leg let off by the columba as they only hit a 61 making it all level going into the last leg.

Last leg and the first 2 rolls went back and forth with it still all to play for with one roll to go . A disputed no ball that was called and then ignored by the columba and then replayed left the ferns wanting 27 to win. Fred perkins rolled 6 in the last (19), Stuart Cleaves bowled well with a 8 in the last (20), leaving 14 wanted to win from the last two players. Andy Sterry hit a 5 (20) leaving a 9 to win unfortunately Redge Slade could only hit a 3 (16). the game was lost by 4 pins. A very bitter taste to the end of the game as the points were there to be won, but some loose bowling cost the game, again only 1 leg scoring in the 70's...!!

Capts man of match was Stuart Cleaves
Capts bum was Lorraine Perkins.


John Miles 3 2 9 (14)
Mark Healey 4 6 5 (15)
Chris Stocker 5 7 7 (19)
Lionel Sterry 6 4 7 (17)

Beryl Merton 4 5 5 (14)
Pat Butcher 5 7 5 (17)
Lorraine Perkins 1 7 2 (10)
Phyllis Johnson 5 5 7 (17)

Fred Perkins 6 7 6 (19)
Stuart Cleaves 5 7 8 (20)
Andy Sterry 8 7 5 (20)
Redge Slade 7 6 3 (16)