Clarence men won the ‘grudge match’ against the ladies in the first battle of the sexes at Clarence Indoor Bowling Club.

DESPITE a great fightback by the ladies, the men won an enjoyable first battle of the sexes ‘grudge match’ at Clarence Indoor Bowling Club.

Playing triples, the men took a 2-0 lead, then the ladies’ rink, skipped by Ann Ward and including new bowler Janet Anning, hit back before everyone enjoyed a splendid American supper lunch.

In the first game of the afternoon, Mick Edlin’s team, including another new bowler Nigel Martin, put the men 3-1 up, then Pauline Burrough’s trio beat Dick Jackman’s to make it all to play for in the sixth and final game.

Although the ladies, skipped by Irene Hicks, led 5-4 going into the final end, Roger Burrough’s team took the shot to draw, so the men won overall 3.5-2.5.

Rink scores (ladies first); M Woods, V Jones, A Powell 4, R Stacey, T Mannion, D Stott 12; E Stott, L Oldham, J Bishop 2, A Taylor, R Stacey, J Keay 5; J Anning, J Mannion, A Ward 9, J Cope, T Ward, M Skyrme 4; P Fowler, M Woods, P Burrough 8, T Comfort, I Phipps, D Jackman 3; S Bishop, R Hinde, I Hicks 5, A Bishop, T Mannion, R Burrough 5.

Alan Richardson was re-elected for his 16th year as match secretary at Clarence Bowling Club’s AGM.

He was thanked for his tireless work by club president Reg Flicker, who was elected for a third year. The president congratulated Clarence on winning the Bowls England Club of the Year award and also for being champions of the Division 1 North in the Somerset County League.

Dave Thomson stood down after several years in the job of membership secretary and was replaced by Barrie Underwood.

Clarence’s new captain is Hutton resident Mike Clay, while Brendan Duffy was elected vice-captain.

Other principal officers elected - vice-president: Bob Rossiter; Sunday captain: Alan Bishop; secretary: Tony Mannion; treasurer: Jeff Hayes; assistant treasurer: Mike Scoins; house manager: Chris Read.

David Stott and Dick Jackman, who were both on the selection committee this year, were re-elected, while Harry Sparks and Paul Tubb were also voted on to that committee.

Clarence had a close mixed friendly at home to North Petherton, winning one of the two rinks, but going down by two shots overall.

Clarence 25, North Petherton 27: P Fowler, B Difford, L Oldham, V Jones 11-8; M Woods, A Bishop, T Mannion, M Edlin 14-19.

FOUR-time former captain and current vice-president of Clarence Bowling Club Bob Rossiter, has been selected by Visually Impaired Bowls England to represent England at next year’s World Blind Bowls Championships in Worthing, supported by his coach and helper David Stott (also of Clarence).

While other competing nations receive funding, England’s team members are being asked to contribute �900 each for the privilege of representing their country. Former Mayor, councillor Cyril King, has kick-started the fund-raising efforts with a donation of �300 to their costs, but more is required to help fund the duo in England’s bid to become world champions.

Anyone prepared to help is invited to send a donation, by cheque, payable to David Stott at Clarence Bowling Club, BS23 4BN. All donations will be receipted upon enclosure of a sae.

Photo on images: Bob Rossiter.

ISLE of Wedmore men played Taunton at home in the Somerset County Indoor League.

Each side won two rinks, but overall Taunton won a close match by 69-64. Winning rink scores: R Bull, C Panchard, K Pettit, S Eastment 17-14; B Back, K Phillimore, G Anniuk, E Payne 20-19.

Two enjoyable friendlies were played at St Andrews, Weston. The ladies lost two rinks with an overall score of 20-30. In a mixed match, both sides won a rink, Wedmore’s winners led by Colin Moss, with another drawn, but overall Wedmore lost 59-45.

In a mixed friendly at home against Chew Stoke, Wedmore won both rinks with a final score of 44-25. Roy Thurkettle’s rink won 24-11, Dennis Stansfield’s rink by 20-14 - this rink was curtailed to enable the visitors to beat the floods home to Chew Stoke.

Visiting Woodspring for a mixed friendly, Wedmore won 43-32 on two rinks. Mary Ronald’s rink won 24-14. Mary also won with her rink 28-13 in a mixed friendly at home against Wells, with each team winning a rink producing an overall win for Wedmore 42-33.

Shepton Mallett visited for a mixed friendly when Wedmore won narrowly over both rinks, overall score 36-31. Vicky Beard’s rink won 22-19 and Roy Hunt’s 14-12.

Wedmore ladies had a fine win in a home triples match against Weston Victoria. Rosemary Aston’s rink won by 16-4, Maureen Hordle’s by 15-7, with an overall score of 31-11.

WOODSPRING ladies enjoyed a good game against St Andrews, despite winning only one of the three rinks played.

The rink skipped by Arlene Pilgrim won 13 of the 21 ends, winning by six shots.

Woodspring Ladies 47, St Andrews 56: N Urch, S Searle, S Hopkins, S Weaden 12-21; I Miles, M Sell, M Tasker, S Lupton 18-24; S Noyes, C Hedges, J Beat, A Pilgrim 17-11.