Bowls

The latest news from the Budleigh Bowling Club rinks

Following the disappointment of an interclub match against Morchard Bishop having to be re-arranged due to – yes, that’s right, the dreadful weather casing a flooded green – Budleigh had all fingers crossed that the rain gods would allow the next Grace Matthews Top Club match against Madeira to be played as planned, writes Pat Pearson.

This time all went well, the rain held off just until the game finished and the result proved to be a win for Budleigh by three disciplines to two.

First to finish was Bobbie Vanstone, who played the 2 Wood Singles, and it was first blood to the visitors as Bobbie ran out of ends to catch up and the game ended 7-16. That loss was quickly balanced when Angie Fish won the 4 Wood Singles in style, leading all the way to a 21-4 victory.

Avril Barrett and Celia Mangeng (skip) had quite a battle in the pairs when, after leading at the start, their opponents caught up and the score was level half way through the game, but it was the Budleigh pair who piled on the shots in the last few ends to finish 24-15.

The triple of Dianzee Howe (skip), with Margaret Ratcliffe and Joan Shaw were able to complete the three disciplines-win required by taking an early lead and moving steadily ahead to a 23-13 result.

So it was a great win for the home team - quite a relief to the rink, skipped by Ann Cottle, with Pat Pearson, Susan Blackwell and Diane Dixon, who were rally struggling and quite happy with not being required to finish.

The Open Day held at the club was a great success. The weather was kind and many visitors called for information and tuition from the coaches. Several had roll-ups and new members joined the club, so it was well worth the effort. All we need now is the summer to arrive so that the club competitions can be caught up with a no more matches cancelled. Some members have been heard muttering that indoor bowls does have its advantages.