1st Win in 1st SL Match v Sutton

SL Match Report

04/10/2026

Vs Sutton

The mighty Donyngs Dragons visited Sutton in the first game of the 26/27 season, having spent summer in the heat of “El Nino”. The boys looked healthy, relaxed and tanned, as if they had all been to a tanning convention in Essex…. There was an air of excitement amongst the team for the start of the new season, and with season debuts for George Hopper and Hayden Thornton, everyone was rearing to go! Sutton always poses a huge challenge at the start of the season, and Donyngs were looking to repeat their 14 points to 4 win over Sutton last year. The rink scores were as follows:

Rink 3 – David Hu (L), Ted R (2^nd), Wayne T (3^rd) & Paul D (Skip)                            Score 21 – 16

Rink 4 – Alex G (L), John H (2nd), Keith M (3rd) & Ian M (Skip)                  Score 14 – 15

Rink 5 – Goerge H (L), Hayden T (2nd), Steve W (3rd) & David H (Skip)               Score 15 – 17

                                                                                                                                                      Score 50 - 48                              

Donyngs won on one rink, lost on two and won overall, 10 points to 8

Rink 3 (Top rink) – Donyngs got off to the worst possible start, dropping a seven on the second end. However, this rink of dragons was not going to give up that easily, and slowly clawed their way back into the game, trailing by only 8 shots to 6, after six ends, winning four of the first six ends. Things then settled down for Donyngs, and the rink found some momentum, winning five of the next six ends, to lead by 15 shots to 11 after 12 ends. The last six ends saw a mini revival from Sutton to draw level on the seventeenth end at 16 all. Needing to win the last end by four shots to claim the rink win and overall win for the club, Donyngs picked up five shots and claimed victory! Despite only winning two of the last six ends, Donyngs won by 21 shots to 16, winning eleven of the eighteen ends played, with an average score of 1.2 shots per end won.

Rink 4 – The rink got off to a steady start, in what turned out to be a very close fought contest with some great bowling from both teams. Sutton held a slender lead of 5 shots to 4 after six ends, with Donyngs winning three of the first six ends. Donyngs then came under pressure from Sutton who were looking to extend their lead. Sutton managed to establish a lead of 12 shots to 8, with Donyngs winning three of the next six ends. Unfortunately, despite a great effort from the dragons, winning four of the last six ends, Donyngs were unable to clinch victory in the game. The final result of 14 shots to 15 in favour of Sutton showed how closely fought the game was. Donyngs won ten of the eighteen ends with an average score of 1.4 shots per end won.

Rink 5 – Donyngs got off to a steady start on this rink as they sparred with the Sutton team over the first six ends. Donyngs won three of the first six ends to trail by 4 shots to 5 after six ends. Sutton then found some momentum and applied some pressure on the dragons over the next six ends, with Donyngs winning two of the next six ends, and trailing by 8 shots to 13 after twelve ends. The last six ends were a tough battle between both sides, each jostling for dominance. Despite a valiant effort from our boys, and a great comeback, Sutton won the game 17 shots to 15, with Donyngs winning three of the last six ends. Donyngs won eight of the eighteen ends with an average score of 1.9 shots per end won.

Overall, Donyngs won 29 (54%) of the 54 ends played at an average of 1.7 shots per end won.

Sutton led overall after ten ends, by 30 shots to 28. They maintained their lead and were ahead by 43 shots to 39, after fifteen ends. However, all three rinks dug deep in the last three ends fighting for every shot, and managed to outscore Sutton by 11 shots to 5. Just goes to show, it isn’t over until the Dragons say so……   

Great team effort everyone and well done!!