Sixteen top clubs from across England competed in the ESMBA / TLH event held in Torquay. Churchill and Blakedown SMB Club was the only club from Worcestershire competeing, having qualified for the event in July 2018. The club’s team consisted of – Terry Clifford / Richard Rose / Sandra Felton / Trish Clifford / Alan Walters / Dave Grove / Rob Franklin and Malcolm Saunders.
In the group stage of the tournament Churchill and Blakedown was drawn against strong opposition from clubs located in Cornwall, Wast Midlands and Dorset. Churchill and Blakedown were disapppointed not to have won one of the individual games against the Cornwall and West Midlands clubs, but fared much better against against the Hazelbury Bryan team from Dorset.. The Fours team ( Trish/Rob/Malcom/Terry ) won their game, as did the Triples team ( Dave/Sandra/Alan ). Rob and Malcolm drew their Pairs game. The team finished the day in much better spirits but failed to qualify for the main trophy knockout series. The team were drawn against ” Magic Circle ” from the West Midlands in the quarter final ” Plate” knockout series. Churchill and Blakedown lost narrowly in the Singles and Fours games. The Triples team also lost, but Malcolm and Terry won their Pairs game 9-6.
Having had a disappointing tournament the club is looking forward to regaining their winning ways when the qualifying fixture for next year’s tournement is announced later this year.