Dan misses out in junior pairs

Dan Hughes has had a superb first season at Romford and it culminated in a county semi-final in the junior pairs on Saturday at Westcliff, writes Dave Evans.

The 19-year-old had a stunning run in the county singles, storming into the last eight with notable scalps like England international Steve Mitchinson.

He finally lost out to Andy Squire, while he teamed up with Essex County bowler Michael Coulson for the junior pairs.

They took on Daniel Rodger and Ryan Mann of Silver End and it proved an epic tussle.

“At the start we struggled a little bit, but then we got into some form and got ourselves 9-6 in front I think,” said Hughes.

“They then got a couple of threes to get ahead, before we brought it back, but because the juniors is only 18 ends, it went to an extra end.

“It was tense and we were holding game the end before, so it was frustrating to lose out in the end.”

Rodger and Mann took the game 15-14, but Hughes was happy with the way they had played. “I think out of the under-25s, they are probably the best,” he said.

“We had only played one match to get there, but we played well on a tough green at Colchester West End. It has been a good season for me.”