The sport is facing its biggest crisis in years with 15 county associations, including Norfolk, putting their names to a call for a Special General Meeting to discuss a vote of 'no confidence' in the National Management Committee, writes Selwyn Goldsmith.

The sport is facing its biggest crisis in years with 15 county associations, including Norfolk, putting their names to a call for a Special General Meeting to discuss a vote of 'no confidence' in the National Management Committee, writes Selwyn Goldsmith.

The meeting has been scheduled to take place in Northants on March 13. This weekend the National Management Committee suspended ESMBA Minute Secretary Babs Morokutti, an England international, from her duties for her part in calling for the meeting. She was informed of this in a letter handed to her by ESMBA President George Clarke.

Meanwhile, Norfolk County Cup holders Kirby Bedon are through to this season's semi-finals after defeating South Norfolk League giants Hempnall 6-2.

In the first half Kirby's Jill Watson, Janice Hewitt and Phil Watson were 8-1 up after five ends against Russell Davidson, Roger Parker and Neil Davidson and led throughout winning 17-8.

Hempnall's Ruth Penn, Bernie Cudden and Paul Baker started well against Carol Johnson, Peter Johnson and Selwyn Goldsmith and were 5-0 up after three ends but the Kirby triple turned up the heat to win all but one of the remaining 12 ends to win 15-6. After the break Alistair Hunter's triple sealed victory for Kirby with a big 22-6 win to earn them an away tie against Hevingham in the semi-finals.Thurton will face a difficult trip to Coltishall in the other semi-final. Breckland League leaders Banham won 10-0 at Hingham B scoring 102 shots against just 26 as the bottom of the table side were simply outgunned.

Tony Blackburn's triple won 25-5 and Jim Delaney's triple won 32-6 as Banham had a field day. The following evening Banham were brought back down to earth as they lost 8-2 at mid-table Forncett where P Lock's triple inflicted a 23-9 defeat on the table toppers.

The big match in the league was the clash between title chasing Connaught A and defending champions Yaxham. Owen Secker's triple got the visitors off to a flying start beating Derek Lyles' triple 22-7 but Sylvia Parson's triple beat Russell Harris 16-15 to keep the match level on points at the break.

Connaught's all-county team triple of Lee Fallows, Bob Oatway and Ollie Allen beat Yaxham star John Turner 15-9 in the second half while Sheila Bragg's triple beat Robin Amos 15-13 to give Connaught A a 6-4 points win.

Yaxham collected a valuable 8-2 home win against Hingham A with Russell Flint, Denny Cross and Russell Harris winning 23-7.

t In the City of Norwich League Costessey slipped to second place after they were beaten at Thorpe Marriott by 9-5 the shots finished level but Costessey only had one block win. Top scorers were Barry Herman's Costessey triple which won 18-6. Thorpe Marriott also won away at Taverham this time it was a 12-2 win as B McPherson won 22-1 and K Frost won 18-2. Next came Framingham Earl at home and another 12-2 win resulted with only five shots between the teams. Horsford Heroes are top again despite losing 14-0 at home to a rampant First Bus side. Heroes also played Old Bonds at home and beat them 12-2. Old Bonds also played County Council and Sprowston SSC at home and lost 10-4 to County Council and 13-1 to Sprowston.

County Council played away to R G Carter and were beaten 12-2 as M Woods won 25-2 for Carter.

Council then played at new boys Felthorpe and suffered a 10-4 defeat.

R G Carter travelled to Horsford BC and were beaten 14-0 on their tricky mats. D Claxton won 11-8, S Warnes 20-6, E Cheney 16-9 and P Isgate 19-6. Anglian Windows played at home to Framingham Earl and won 13-1.

The City League Shield is down to the semi-finals and the draw is: Sprowston SSC v Thorpe Marriott, Horsford Heroes v Anglian Windows.