BASSINGBOURN survived a downpour last Tuesday to pick up six of the seven points against Chesterton. The successful pairing of Don Slater and Sid Manning continued on rink one, but even with their consistent bowling the score after eight ends was 5-5. Bi

BASSINGBOURN survived a downpour last Tuesday to pick up six of the seven points against Chesterton.

The successful pairing of Don Slater and Sid Manning continued on rink one, but even with their consistent bowling the score after eight ends was 5-5.

Bill Manley then upped his game at skip and the pressure started to tell on Chesterton and Bassingbourn only lost a further three ends, winning 18-9.

Ken Cleaver and Ron Ingrey did not have a good night on rink two and Graham Parrish was often left with a lot to do at skip.

Even so after 10 ends Bassingbourn were up 7-5. A dropped three and four won the rink for Chesterton, but Bassingbourn were encouraged from adjoining rinks to keep the game tight to ensure a chance of an overall win. This they did and a final score of 9-17 could have been much worse.

Ken Clark at skip on rink three had another commanding night at skip with Jamie Stewart and Dave Lester.

The team did very little wrong for the first nine ends, with Dave drawing extremely well, and built up a lead of 13-4.

Chesterton then swapped skips and Bass' went slightly off the boil when it got to the 15th end Bassingbourn found themselves trailing16-15.

The 16th end proved to be a turning point when Clark came to the mat, he was five shots down but with his first wood he killed the end.

This raised the sides spirits. They scored a two on the next end and on the last end Stewart put a wood right on the jack which sealed the game 18-16.

Ian Stewart skipped with Maureen Hammond and Anne Brown on rink four against well known and good bowlers from Chesterton.

It looked like it was going to be a case of damage limitation on this rink with Stewart on the first few ends having to produce some very heavy woods just to save shots.

The hosts grew in confidence and Bassingbourn started to develop some good heads. This allowed Stewart to draw to add to the count or deliver take/trail shots when Chesterton was holding to give them a 15-5 lead

Chesterton then changed skips and they did achieve a mini come back but once the rain became heavy Bassingbourn became more determined.

The final woods were gingerly bowled on a slippery mat with an umbrella in one hand knowing that only a very large count would save Chesterton.

The final score was 21-13, giving Bassingbourn an over all 66-55 victory.