monp1

Cool heads see Lesley and Co through

Wednesday, July 01, 2009, 07:00

AN inspirational Ian Lesley (Shaldon) helped see off clubmate and England international James Webber 18-17 in the Section 5a final of the county fours.

"He really did play some great bowls," said team-mate Ian Foster.

"We got out of the blocks quickly and built up an early lead and we led 16-10 after sixteen ends before Webb's (Webber) rink won three ends on the trot to go 17-16 ahead."

But cool heads from Ted Collins, John Pierce Ian Foster and Ian Lesley saw them square up the match before a super shot from Pierce saw him trail the jack into the ditch for an unbeatable shot."

Middleton Cup players Gareth Foster and Simon Haywood had been favourites to win alongside county team-mates and England senior stars Lee Haywood and James Webber but they failed to outscore their clubmates with Ian Lesley, affectionately known as 'Beak', just keeping his nose in front at the close.

In Section 6 of the county triples, Stoke Fleming's Paul Lobb, Mark Jordan and Tony Andrew came from behind to beat Mark Hopkins, Alec O'Neill and Shaun Johnson (Kings) 14-13.

"They won on the extra-end and it was the only time they were in front," said section secretary Mike Huxtable (Totnes), who also saw Roy Johnson's rink win through.

Johnson had Dave Kenward at two and John Brady at lead to beat John Brothers, John Fowler and Matt Matthews (Kingsbridge Park) 28-11.

"Ernie Knight will be returning for John Brady (sub) in the county play-offs," said Huxtable.

In the pairs, Phil Hackett and Griff Sanders (Kings) beat Paul Lobb and Tony Andrew (Stoke Fleming) 22-10 to set up the crucial victory over Dave Kenward and Roy Johnson (Totnes) 29-10 to reach the county play-offs.

In the singles, Jeff Tolchard beat clubmate and England under 25 international Craig Down 21-11 to join his nephew, Sam, in the county play-offs.

















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