I had the great pleasure of attending the Counties at the weekend and albeit somewhat partisan (son was bowling for team) I have to say that I was really proud to be from Lancashire.

The team was a credit to the county, Trev was on the lanes in amongst the guys all the time and made some pretty tough calls on keeping with the same line up. We were the noisest (I heard a number of complaints) and from what I saw of the day the most fired up team. Chris' first ever 300 (top man) raised the roof and the whole team buzzed with 1212 (that's a 242 average game across the team).

You know when you look back at why things didn't quite go to plan well the scales were tipped against us from the start:
. The hotel we stayed in witnessed a 12:45 fire alarm being set off by 3 guys in a room that created loads of noise and bagging on walls etc till 3AM next door to one of the team
. Aussie had to work Saturday night so he and Richard drove down at 1AM, so had hardly any sleep
. Lancashire men, there first for registration, were greeted by the news that they had the first bye, and the practice lanes bore little resemblence in oil pattern to what they subsequently played their first game on
. That first game really cost us more than they could have ever guessed given Warwickshire who pipped us, did make the last three
. Peterborough (who won easily, winning just about all their matches) scraped a 4 pin victory over us, last frame stuff
. Bedfordshire, our last game where the home team and we played them last, again last frame stuff.

In fact the majority of the games were down to the wire, and it made for a nail biting finish, as Lancashire gradually throughout the day their way into the top 3 from last place.

Well you can tell that my personal view was that the lads should have been in the finals and would have given any team a real game.

My whole family and I'm sure Kevin's father were somewhat struggling to speak by the end as we had shouted so much.

Thanks guys.

Well done Lancs and great effort.The scoring from other teams if Lancs finnished 5th must of been massive.Well done Chris also.

well just seen the results and i must say it was a great performance you all bowled really well. WELL DONE

To anyone wishing to contact myself or Chris - please note that we are having major PC probs at the moment and can rarely if ever get into e-mail or the forum - please phone us

I wasn't able to be with the teams in Bedford because of illness but I would like to say to say a very big THANK YOU
 to both teams. Chris and I are proud of you all.
The team spirit was brilliant in both teams and once again good performances from the bowlers. Unfortunately (as happens so often in bowling) you need your big games at the right time and that didn't happen for either team this time.
I hope to see the "big guns" back in the trials this year - they will certainly be an asset to the county - but they will also have to fight for their places - if you don't believe me, look at the averages bowled by this years team.

My biggest thanks to Trevor who did an excellent job as team captain and to Richard Beck who kindly helped him in my absence.

No doubt we will get some idiot knockers who will critisize the system, the bowlers, the county and anything else they can think of - to them I say one thing - the teams PROVED IT ON THE LANES - if you can average higher under the same circumstances then get into the trials and show us - you will be in the squad next year if you can.

Despite a super bowling display from Lancashire men, with the exception of yours truly, it wasn't enough to qualify.
We had to win the last game against Bedford to qualify in 3rd place. 999 was not good enough and we were edged out in the last frame and finished 5th.
Well done team on a superb effort you did your county proud today. Highlight was Chris Maughans 300 and Lancashires 1212 game, both the highest of the day.
Lets not forget the other young guns who averaged well,Gary Marcus 202.6, Mark Wiggans 203.37,Kevin Weatherill 218, Chris Maughan 219.12,Steve Ostiadel 224.87.
Lloyd I won't embarass you and me with our rubbish games, but we played our part cheering the others on.
Team games 916, 1053, 1212,970,1068,1115,1056,999.
Thanks again lads it was an honour to captain you.

well done chris, another lefties pit. Did Lancs qualify then?

Congrats to Chris for his 300 game in the Counties and to the whole men's team for a 1212 game - excellent bowling all round - well done lads!

heyyyy Chris that was great congratulations

congratulations to chris maughan on bowling a 300 in the county qualifiers!

Good luck this weekend guys give it um large.

Tournament Schedule For Carlisle:
October 4th & 5th 2003 Scratch Fives.
December 2003 Handicap Doubles
February 26th 2004 Combination Four's
March 2004 Centre Championships
April 2004 Spring Handicap Doubles
May 2004 Scratch Singles

Edited by author 09-05-2003 05:10 PM
Anybody trying to contact or want to know anything from Phil and Chris Aldersley please ring them on their mobile as their ISP has a problem and they have had no access to the internet for the last two days. No is 07713 147893

wont be any easy ones gary thats for sure just dont take any notice of names and reputations...

Phil

Can you confirm what the format is for this weekend and who the other teams are who we will be up against.

I'd like to wish both teams the very best of luck this weekend and bowl your t... off ...well not the ladies of course. I'm sure you'll all do your very best thats all we ask off you