NICOLE IN CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Yesterday morning at Leamington, Nicole Rogers continued her quest to become the National Champion of Champions when, in the round of Last 16, sho took on Kent's Yvonne Chidwick. Nicole was in command for most of the game and she emerged victorious by 21 shots to 10. The quarter final was to be a different matter. Up against four times Commonwealth Gold Medallist and twice World Championship winner Ellen Faulkner, who, in winning the title in 2017 had beaten Nicole in a close semi final, it was expected to be a close game and so it proved. Dropping two on the first end, Nicole stormed away winning 8 of the next 10 ends to lead 13-4 and after 15 ends Nicole was in a very strong 16-7 lead having outplayed her illustrious opponent on medium to full length jacks. It was then the momentum changed. Using all her experience, Ellen switched to a minimum length jack and at 17-9 to Nicole, Ellen suddenly soon found better line and length with three successive threes followed by a two bringing the game to 17-17. The next four ends were shared and at 19-19 a large crowd waited for the final outcome. Back on longer jacks Nicole had a toucher with her first bowl and, with both players having a bowl each left, Nicole lay one shot. Her final bowl was close and from the bank it looked as if, with a measure, Nicole might lie game. It was not good enough. The target was too big and with the last bowl Ellen moved the jack for two shots to claim victory. Nicole will be disappointed to have lost for a third time to Ellen in close matches but she should be proud of yet another excellent performance. It is no mean feat, at age 20, to reach the Last EIght of this event twice in three years.