Gorsley Chapel Oaks claimed their maiden Summer League title in a nerve wracking final held at Upton Bishop Village Hall on Thursday 31st August, defeating defending champions Lea S.M.B.C 7-3.
The Lea were looking to become only the second team to defend the Summer League and had stormed to the top of the Swallows Division whilst Gorsley faced a tense final game against Woolhope to get them to the final, taking 4 points away at the Winter League champions to book their place.
The Singles saw Gorsley strike first, with Joe Loveys beating Merion Attwood 16-12. This was counteracted by a 12-5 victory for Lea in the Fours, putting the overall score at 2-2 at the halfway stage with Lea 3 shots up overall.
The second half saw both Gorsley teams start strong. In the triples, Jason Chester, Anthony Chesterton and Dean Rudman reached a 10-3 lead by the halfway stage before a strong comeback from Lea’s Bradley Kite, Adrian James and Steve Kite led to a tense final end that saw Lea holding the 3 shots required to secure a draw before a final bowl draw from Rudman gave Gorsley the points and put them 1 shot up overall. At this stage the Gorsley pairing of Sophie Heather-Warner and Joe Loveys were up on John Clapson and Merion Attwood 7-6 going into the final end. Only holding one of the three shots required, Attwood saw a final bowl fire brush the holding wood, with a 7-7 draw enough to give Gorsley an overall 7-3 victory by only 1 shot at 41-40.
To view the final standings please visit the Summer League page.
The association’s thanks as always goes to League Secretary Ian Roe for his hard work throughout the Summer as well as Competition Secretary Becci Cox for organising the final. Congratulations to Gorsley Chapel Oaks on their victory and we now look forward to Presentation Evening on 30th September and the season ahead.