THE men of Isle of Wight Indoors Bowls Club (IWIBC) have reached the semi-final of a national competition.
The Denny Plate is a game for four rinks of men — two rinks of four playing at home at the same time as two playing at an away venue.
The opponents in the quarter finals last Saturday morning were from Bromley Bowls Club.
The Islanders were up against a tough team, which comprised several leading bowls figures, including former world champion, Andy Thompson, and Paul Gallagher, a member of the England Deaf team — a team-mate of the IWIBC’s John Pearce, who coincidentally faced each other on the same rink.
The IWIBC knew they were in for a close game, with some excellent bowling at both venues — IWIBC were leading at the half-way stage on three of the four rinks, 17 shots ahead.
One of the Island's away rinks were struggling, but the other three games gave them a lead of 14 shots after 15 ends.
With the scores coming in from Bromley every few ends, the large crowd of more than 70 supporters from both sides, was kept intrigued by the intensity of the competition, and which produced a tremendous atmosphere.
The lead was then reduced to 11 shots after 18 ends and, going into the final end, IWIBC were still in front by 11 shots across the four rinks.
Bromley were unable to recover, with the final score ending 85-75 in favour of the Island team.
Winning five rounds means their opposition has been from further afield each time.
By reaching the semi-finals, it means the IWIBC will now face either Torquay or Gloucester on Tuesday, February 14.
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