There will be a different name on the David Cornwell under 25 double rink trophy in 2009 after our Nottingham team were beaten at the semi-final stage by Wellingborough today (25 January 2009).

 

Playing at Melton Mowbray IBC, Nottingham team manager Alistair Hansen was forced into 1 change from the previous round with Daniel Shields coming into the side to replace Adam Pearce. Daniel came in to lead on Matt Vickery's rink, Dan Smith's rink remained unchanged.

 

Right from the outset Dan Smith's rink pushed out into an early lead and Matt Vickery's rink struggled and this trend continued for the rest of the game.

 

Wellingborough always kept their noses in front and despite some nervy moments towards the end as Nottingham pushed for shots, Wellingborough maintained their grip on the tie and claimed the victory by 8 shots.

 

Daniel Shields, Sam Muir, Matt Chambers, Matt Vickery

12-22

 

Jonathan Holmes, Helen Mason, Matt Kime, Dan Smith

16-14

 

 

Wellingborough go on to face Torquay United in the final, to be played at Lawson Park IBC on 28th February 2009.

 

With 5 ends across the board, Nottingham trailed narrowly 22-20, in spite of only Phil Dickens' rink being up (9-3). Ian Griffin's rink were drawing 5-5, Phil Broughton was 2-6 down and Duncan Robinson trailed 8-4.

 

The game remaind tight through to 10 ends, with both sides equal at 37-37. Phil Dickens' rink had pushed on to go 15-8 in front whilst Phil Broughton went in front 9-7, Ian Griffin also led 9-7 but Duncan Robinson's rink continued to struggle and trailed 4-15.

 

Blackpool had the better of the next few ends across the rinks and pushed into a 9 shot lead at 15 ends, Nottingham now trailing 54-63.

 

However, Nottingham's players dug deep and clawed back the 9 shot deficit to bring the game all square at 18 ends, 66-66.

 

With Nottingham on the charge now, having picked up 12 shots to Blackpool's 3 in the previous 12 ends (across the 4 rinks), Nottingham had the momentum and picked up a further 14 shots to Blackpool's 8 to clinch the game 80-74.

 

 

 

Nottingham now face Desborough Maidenhead on Sunday 1st February, in the Egham Trophy semi-final - Further details of venue & start time will be posted here when confirmed. The other semi final is Torquay United v Egham.

 

The winners of the two semi-finals will play the final on 7th March 2009.

 

Finally, on behalf of all of today's players, I'd like to thank the Nottingham supporters who made the trip to York today to cheer us on - we do appreciate it!

Nottingham's England under 25 International Dan Smith helped England lift the Joyce Brimble Trophy over the weekend of the 10th/11th January 2009.

 

The quadrangular series featuring England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales was played at Abbeyview IBC in Dunfermline (Scotland) and England regained the trophy after defeating holders Scotland in the final game of the series on Sunday morning.

 

Dan's rink, playing with Chris Moore (Barwell), Ean Morton (Peterborough) and skip Rob Chisholm (Stanley) had a 100% record throughout the series, winning all 3 games.

On Dan's rink, victories against Wales (20-14), Ireland (21-17) and Scotland (22-14) helped England on their way to a fantastic win.

 

England 92-59 Wales

England 93-62 Ireland

England 73-68 Scotland

 

To view the full England team click here.

 

Congratulations to Dan Smith from everyone at Nottingham IBC.

Nottingham's ladies, competing in the Lingford Trophy, slipped to an agonising 1 shot defeat to Rugby Thornfield on Sunday 11th January 2009.

 

The last-16 tie started really well for Nottingham, with both rinks up at the midway point and looking comfortable.

 

However Rugby Thornfield finished strongly and picked up 5 shots across the 2 rinks on the last end to clinch the tie 33-32.

 

Congratulations to the Nottingham ladies for reaching this stage - they were Helen Mason, Sue Mart, Lynn Murden, Sarah Jenkinson, Jackie Turner, Elisa Griffin & Denise Pearl (reserve).

Nottingham's Egham team have progressed into the last 8 of the national competition after beating Northampton & District today (Sunday 4 January 2009).

 

Nottingham trailed by 10 shots at the 5 end mark (17-27).

 

However, a spirited run between 5 and 10 ends on all rinks turned the 10 shot deficit into a 15 shot positive, with Nottingham picking up 29 shots to Northampton's 4 over the 5 ends, pushing Nottingham into a 46-31 lead.

 

Phil Broughton (14-5 up) and Duncan Robinson's (13-7 up) rinks showing the way, ably backed up at home by Ian Griffin's rink (11-4 up) and Phil Dickens' rink reducing their deficit to 7 shots (8-15).

 

That 15 shot difference was roughly maintained by Nottingham for the next 8 ends across all rinks. At 15 ends, Nottingham led by 13 shots (61-48) and 18 ends Nottingham had increased the lead further to 18 shots (72-54).

 

In the latter stages between 18 and 21 ends, with the game becoming scrappy & stretched, Nottingham picked up a further 19 shots to Northampton's 6, culminating in Nottingham completing a resounding, and impressive, 91-60 victory.

 

Nottingham now face Blackpool Newton Hall on Sunday 18th January (venue & start time TBC).