The Cambridgeshire Ladies team, at the invitation of the President of the English Short Mat Bowls Association, played the England Ladies team at MIBC on Sunday 10 January 2016.
Three rounds were played in the four disciplines of singles, pairs, triples and fours and in the first round singles both Jayne Thorpe and Maureen Fyson won their matches as well as the triples team of June Bridgestock, Joyce Needham and Josie Charter. In round two Maureen Fyson again won her singles and in the last round it was another win for the triples team of June Bridgestock, Joyce Needham and Josie Charter. Several of the other games were quite close and although England won by a wide margin Cambridgeshire will be aiming to cut that down at the return game.
Lynn Dean, the Captain for England, thanked Cambridgeshire for organising the event, providing a buffet lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
This was the first time that a Cambridgeshire Ladies squad had been put together but something that will hopefully mean we can play other counties in the future. We knew that it would certainly be a challenge and so it proved, but the day itself was a resounding success and enjoyed by everyone.
The final score was Cambridgeshire 10 points and 211 shots and England 46 points and 324 shots. A return match has been arranged for 2 October 2016 and will be held in Tamworth.