Sheffield City Centre came to a halt on Monday evening, not because of the rush of fans travelling to the north of the city to watch the bottom of the table clash between Steel City and Meersbrook Park in Division E of the Sheffield Social League, but because Def Leppard and Motley Crue were playing at Bramall Lane.
Jim expertly rerouted about 6 times to navigate the traffic – something he and I failed to do at the end of the evening when our doubles partnership got crowded out at 20 across on the final end of the final game to round off a disappointing finish to the evening.
Once Jim had got us there, the night had begun promisingly. Cai was on fire, maintaining her sparkling form from The Abbey the previous week. Re-uniting with a well-holidayed ,Linda, the two women took a commanding opening lead. Terry also started well and had an 8 point cushion while Andrew was landing some great bowls in a close match. Cai and Linda held off something of a fightback, but Terry wasn’t able to do the same and went down, narrowly. Andrew, however, got stronger and stronger, and secured and excellent win.
Jim and I went onto the green with Cai and Linda about to win – so Meerbrook Park held a 2-1 lead at the change-over. Jim and I started well, as did Nick, although Tucker was up against arguably their best player in the final singles and he failed to find his best form. Still, with Jim and I opening-up a large lead and Nick also well ahead, it seemed that the MP’s were heading to our first victory of the campaign.
Alas it wasn’t to be. Our otherwise hospitable hosts mounted some great comebacks. They won both singles to put them in command of the match, while Jim and I truly looked like a motley crew and a poor support act as we threw away an enormous lead to go home empty handed. Next gig on our World Tour is at Hollinsend next Monday. We will be the main act!