February 2009 Nottingham have clinched 3 of the 4 qualifying slots from Area 8 for the 2009 EIBA National Championships, with World number 16 Simon Skelton qualifying in two competitions. Skelton, with team-mates Michael Bowley and Ian Griffin, will kick-off Nottingham's representation in the Triples on 29th March at 6.30pm. They defeated Alfreton's Shepperson, Langham & Clipstone in their recent area final. In the pairs, Nottingham's Alistair Hansen and Phil Broughton, after overcoming Alfreton's Sharpe & Spragg, will play on Tuesday 31st March at 6.30pm. Simon Skelton, who recently defeated team-mate Duncan Robinson in the singles area final 21-20, will also play in the National Singles on Thursday 2nd April at 7.00pm. Gedling's Nic Eatch, Chris Nicholson, Tony Mitchell & Phil Epton qualified in the fours. Club News, 22nd February 2009 
Nottingham’s Over 50’s triples team of Bob Rose, Dave Adams and Russ Pearce have clinched the EIBA National over 50’s Triples title at Northampton. The Nottingham trio, who won 5 local rounds to get into the last 32 in the Country, then won through a further 5 rounds to win the title by beating the Huntington trio of Will Day, John McKee and Brian Brett in the final. Nottingham thumped Leicester 21-3 in the first round, and then squeezed by Bridgwater BCL 18-17 in their second game of the day. Their second day was also successful, beating Colchester 16-8 before winning through to the final by beating Thornbury 20-8 in Wednesday’s semi-final. In yesterday’s tense final (played over 18 ends), Nottingham trailed narrowly for long periods in the game but clawed their way in front at 14 ends (10-9). However they dropped 3 shots over the next two ends and trailed 12-10 after 16, but picked up two one’s on the final two ends to force the extra end, with the game finishing 12-12 after the 18 ends. Nottingham managed to win the extra end to win 13-12 and lift the trophy. Nottingham’s Helen Mason, Margaret Lomas, Alistair Hansen and Phil Broughton lost 23-16 to City of Ely in 2nd round of the Mixed Fours. Nottingham had beaten West Berks 20-14 in the first round. Club News, 22nd February 2009 Nottingham's England Internationals Brett Morley and Pam Cutts will be looking to extend their run of form into the National Mixed Pairs Championships, which start on Saturday at Northampton IBC. Morley and Cutts, having beaten Ian & Elisa Griffin in the Area 8 final, now face Thornaby's Paul Mosely and Lauren Copeland on Saturday 14th February 2009 (9.30am start) in the last 32 of the Golden Charter National Mixed Pairs Championship. Then five days later, Nottingham's Helen Mason, Margaret Lomas, Alistair Hansen and Phil Broughton start their campaign in the National Mixed Fours Championship against West Berks. The Nottingham quartet play at 9.30am on Thursday 19th February 2009, also at Northampton IBC. Nottingham IBC plays host to stage 3 of the English Indoor Bowls Association National Championships, featuring some of the Country's best players, from Friday 27th March 2009 to Sunday 5th April 2009. Club News, 10th February 2009 Nottingham failed to make it though to the Egham Trophy final after coming second best to a strong Desborough Maidenhead team at Wellingborough today. The Nottingham team had only one enforced change from the previous round, with Brett Morley coming in for Ian Griffin, who was on holiday. Desborough came out the traps quickly and went into a 13 shot lead after 2 ends across the board and maintained that lead to 5 ends, where they led 16-30. Dickens’ rink led 7-5, whilst the other three trailed (Broughton 4-6, Robinson 0-10 and Morley 5-9). Desborough maintained their good form through to 10 ends to lead by 33 shots (52-29). Duncan Robinson’s rink struggled for form and some inspired bowling from Desborough’s England International John McGuiness meant they trailed 19-0 at 10 ends. With 15 ends on the board, Nottingham had made some inroads into the deficit, but still trailed by 22 shots (46-68). Phil Broughton’s rink had started their run of fine form and led 19-11, however they were Nottingham’s only leading rink with the other rinks still trailing (Dickens 12-17, Robinson 6-19 and Morley 9-21). Nottingham pushed their opponents hard for the next few ends and, at one stage, reduced Desborough’s lead to only 8 shots. By the 18th end Desborough had halted the Nottingham charge and led by 19 shots (80-61). Phil Broughton’s rink, who had won 8 consecutive ends and picked up 25 shots (including a 7 on the 16th end), now led 31-11 but the other 3 rinks still trailed (Dickens 13-20, Robinson 8-22 and Morley 9-27). Desborough closed out the game well and kept Nottingham at arms length to run out winners by 12 shots. Sue Mart Elisa Griffin Stuart Smith Phil Dickens Lost 19-20 | Pam Cutts Helen Mason Alistair Hansen Phil Broughton Won 31-11 | Lillian Fletcher Lynn Murden Mark Roe Brett Morley Lost 12-28 | Jackie Turner Audrey Pinder Ronnie Cowan Duncan Robinson Lost 8-25 |
Nottingham 73 – 85 Desborough Thanks again to all the supporters that made the trip to Wellingborough to watch, it is appreciated by all the players. We've had a tremendous run in the competition and i'm sure all the players will be out to make sure we go one step further next year. To read the story in the Nottingham Evening Post, click here. Club News, 3rd February 2009 | 
