Sian inspires Kings to reach fours final

A KINGS rink under inspirational skip Sian Gordon have won a place in the finals of the ladies' fours at the EWBA Championships at Royal Leamington Spa in July.

In baking hot conditions at Bideford's Victoria Park, Gordon was as cool-as-you-like as the qualifiers from Section 6B beat Val Lander (Plymstock) 17-10 in the Group A final.

"Sian played particularly well in all three games," said county secretary Carol Horgan. "She guided her rink in each match superbly."

With the support of Amanda Higginbotham, Sophie Tolchard and Larriane Hackett, England international Gordon was victorious over Section 3A qualifiers Sue Rutter (Seaton) 29-13 before just getting the better of Rosemary Reed (Bradworthy) 17-14.

"The green was a bit difficult and we were always behind," said Sian, who nevertheless went ahead when it mattered to go on and clinch a place in the national finals by beating Lander.

"Val's rink had been sitting around for an hour and were clearly up for the match, but we were never behind and always in control and Amanda (Higginbotham) played so well," added Sian.

"We have a nice four and we all bounce off one another, which is great."

Devon's other representatives will be Jan Roberts, Pat Harris, Jackie Howle and Liz Healy from Madeira – they beat Mo Thomas (Brixham) in the semi-finals before beating former Upston Park player Nicci Wilkins (North Tawton) 23-17 in the final in Group B.

Mo and Brixham clubmates Margaret Dyer, Pam Medlock and Maria Pound qualified through Section 6A and opened with a fine win over Chris Slade, Gill Callaghan, Christina Woollacott and Margaret Sampson (Tiverton West End) 20-17 before coming up short against Liz Healy.

RESULTS

DCLBA Section Finals (Bideford): Fours. Section A: Ruth Voysey, Carol Horgan, Margaret Ewings, Barbara Baker (Topsham) bt Pam Frost, Carole Scott, Pat Lea, Val Strutt (Bitton Park) 23-19. Shirley Bartrop, Sarah Quayle, Linda Jenkins, Val Lander (Plymstock) bt Gloria Jenkins, Shirley Webber, Nannette Peters, Barbara Goss (South Molton) 21-15. Rachel Symons, Christine Cawsey, Lillian Clements, Rosemary Reed (Bradworthy) bt Viv Rogers, Pat Janes, Tina Thomas, Mavis Wellington (Kingsbridge Park) 16-14. Amanda Higginbotham, Sophie Tolchard, Lorraine Hackett, Sian Gordon (Kings) bt Audrey White, Marian Vessey, Rhonda Follenfant, Sue Rutter (Seaton) 29-13. Semi-finals: Shirley Bartrop, Sarah Quayle, Linda Jenkins, Val Lander (Plymstock) bt Ruth Voysey, Carol Horgan, Margaret Ewings, Barbara Baker (Topsham) 28-4. Amanda Higginbotham, Sophie Tolchard, Lorraine Hackett, Sian Gordon (Kings) bt Rachel Symons, Christine Cawsey, Lillian Clements, Rosemary Reed (Bradworthy) 17-14. Final: Amanda Higginbotham, Sophie Tolchard, Lorraine Hackett, Sian Gordon (Kings) bt Shirley Bartrop, Sarah Quayle, Linda Jenkins, Val Lander (Plymstock) 17-10. Section B: Margaret Arscott, Eleanor Hawkey, Muriel Scott, Nicci Jenkins (North Tawton) bt Dawn Woolcock, Kathleen Ollis, Vicky Hingston, Hazel Treleaven (Oreston) 13-11. Dulcie Broughton, Carole Fisher, Joan Heard, Sue Evans (Honiton) bt Sheila Joy, Doreen Durston, Pat Lambel, Jean Townsend (Dartmouth) 31-12. Jan Roberts, Pat Harris, Jackie Howle, Liz Healy (Madeira) bt Val Francis, Joan Meddleycott, Margaret Priscott, Larraine Mullen (Abbrook Park) 17-16. Margaret Dyer, Pam Medlock, Marie Pound, Mo Thomas (Brixham) bt Chris Slade, Gillian Callaghan, Christina Woolacott, Margaret Sampson (Tiverton West End) 20-17. Semi-finals: Margaret Arscott, Eleanor Hawkey, Muriel Scott, Nicci Wilkins (North Tawton) bt Dulcie Broughton, Carole Fisher, Joan Heard, Sue Evans (Honiton) 21-14. Jan Roberts, Pat Harris, Jackie Howle, Liz Healy (Madeira) bt Margaret Dyer, Pam Medlock, Maria Pound, Mo Thomas (Brixham) 26-5. Final: Jan Roberts, Pat Harris, Jackie Howle, Liz Healy (Madeira) bt Margaret Arscott, Eleanore Hawkey, Muriel Scott, Nicci Wilkins (North Tawton) 23-17.