It was unlikely. It was tense. It got more unlikely. And then it happened. Meersbrook Park have pulled of a truly Great Escape from what seemed certain relegation from Division D of the Hallamshire League with an extraordinary 7-3 win over Nether Edge B (on Tuesday 15th August).
A month ago, your humble reporter conceded that survival chances had all but expired after a 10-0 loss at Forgey was followed with a 3-7 home defeat to Fulwood. Nether Edge won 7-3 themselves that mid-July evening, extending their lead over Meersbrook Park to 11 points.
With just 4 matches left, and averaging barely 3 points a match, it felt like Nether Edge were already out of reach. However, 4 weeks, 4 matches, 3 wins, one draw and an incredible 24 match points later, the MP’s have done the impossible and secured another season in Division D.
Nether Edge B brought a handy team, featuring all their top players, and the visitors started the night well. They knew a draw would ensure their survival and, although all games were tense, Nether Edge pulled ahead in two of them. Jim faced their highest-ranking performer but was playing near the top of his game. Even so, his opponent’s lead kept extending. Our talisman, Rodney wasn’t having it all his own way and Terry was grittily hanging-on, despite not being at his best. Mick, however, was playing perfectly. Against a very strong opponent he opened a terrific lead, landing wood after wood within a couple of feet of the jack.
Jim continued to play some great bowls – but on more than one occasion his opponent sent down deadly strikes to disturb them. Jim’s deficit became perilous – something like 19-13. Meanwhile, Mick completed a brilliant win despite a spirited display from his opponent. Mick’s accuracy proved just too consistent. What a moment for his second win of the season!
Terry did well to reach 16. He swapped lengths and marks but it was not quite working for him and his experienced opponent had a horrible habit of finding killer second bowls. It was 1-1.
We needed at least 3 more wins. Like all of us, I was counting on Rodney to bring home one of them. But he didn’t. Rod played well but his opponent just a tiny bit better. If the game had gone on another end, the lead may have changed again, but Rodney lost to 20. We were 2-1 down with Jim about to lose also.
Butch entered the green knowing he probably not only had to win, but win well. He delivered. All the near misses of the season dissipated, and he shot to a 21-6 victory playing like a hurricane. It was his second victory of the season – a stat that hides just how well he played in the second half of the summer after losing his woods in the second game of the campaign. Butch’s win was huge lift towards the vital aggregate points and with Jim heroically fighting back to 20 across, before dying at the very last, Meersbrook Park were ahead on the aggregate despite being 3-2 down in wins.
We still needed to win at least 2 of the last 3 and hold our aggregate advantage to save the match. Jon brought the comeback closer with a rapid (by his standards) win over an opponent who was unfortunate to run past Jon’s woods or the jack by just millimetres on several occasions. It was 3-3. The margin of our wins and the closeness of Jim and Rod’s defeats meant the aggregate was assured. We just needed one more win.
When your humble reporter left the green two games were in play. Agnes led by 2 and Tucker trailed by 2. I could not watch. I even did the washing up. The applause, the gasps and groans grew louder and louder from the pavilion.
It wasn’t for my washing up.
Cries of, “well bowled Agnes” increased in frequency and volume. I edged outside and witnessed a truly masterful display. Her opponent bowled excellently, but Agnes kept finding the land between his bowl and the jack. She extended her lead and then, showing absolutely no nerves, landed a final wood to secure the handshake and survival.
Nether Edge were sporting in their acknowledgment of her play despite the consequences for them next season. Celebrations began. Terry had to be held back from dancing. That would have spoiled everything. Spectators were holding back tears. Butch nearly smiled.
Meanwhile, under the lights Tucker battled to another victory. His 8th of the campaign. What a great season he has had. He lost 21-0 at Fogey but, like the team, had done everything right since and fully deserved to finish on a high.
From 3-1 down we won 5-3 and added the bonus aggregate points to make it 7-3. In aggregate points it was our highest scoring team performance of the season – just when we needed it. Once again everybody contributed. Only 7 points were dropped from eight 21 maximums! At 9.01 p.m. Meerbrook Park moved out of the relegation zone for the first time in the whole season! What timing! What a team! 13 players contributed to this effort during the season. Mike, Barbara, Lindsay Andrew and Paul J secured 11 of the points (with contributions to aggregate as well) and although they didn’t play in the final fixture they gave us this opportunity. What a club!
We’re still standing!
Celebrating at the pub soon after, Terry showed us this video shot on a “Club Weekend” in Scarborough in 1972. The club were celebrating a run of 3 wins to survive a relegation. Terry is in blue. Apparently.