Clarence inflict heavy defeat on St Andrews

ST ANDREWS went down heavily to neighbours Clarence Blues in their second game in the Over-60s Triples League Division 1 match.

The only winning triple was that skipped by Gordon Wride, ably supported by Bob McCleod and last season’s Clarence player George Cooper at lead.

Brian Reeves’ triple was edged out on the final end of their game, going down by just one shot. Clarence dominated the other four rinks, running out comfortable winners by an impressive 18 points to two.

St Andrews 96, Clarence Blues 111 (Over-60s Triples): K Rodgers, J Ling, A Steer 13-20; D Price, G Webber, B Forse 16-22; R Smith, T Day, B Reeves 17-18; G Sims, A Ware, D Favis 11-19; B Rogers, B May, G Guest 10-20; G Cooper, B McCleod, G Wride 29-12.

Rebecca McMillan and Barrie Forse eased through their first county mixed pairs game against Jane and Gordon Sansom from Ashcombe Park, winning by 36 shots to eight.

In their first venture into the Over-60s double rink national game, the Saints were beaten by Congresbury by a total of seven shots.

St Andrews 32, Congresbury 39: J Forse, L Blight, G Webber, B Forse 14-19; M Wride, D Favis, G Wride, M Favis 18-20.

In the first round of the national mixed fours, R McMillan, V Buick, S Davies and B Forse beat a four from City of Wells 18-13.

VICTORIA Bowling Club had a busy week with seven matches, but after the earlier dry and sunny weather, the cold wind and rain returned to force curtailment of three of the away matches at Ashcombe, Somerset Masonic and GB Britton in Bristol.

In the Weston & District Over-60s League, the Vikings were doing well until the rain came. The Knights edged ahead to win by 18 shots as the game became restricted to 15 ends. The only winning rink for Victoria was Richard Hollier, John Griffiths and skip Graham Hodge.

Victoria Vikings 72 (3), Ashcombe Park Knights 90 (17): J Turton, J Mingo-West, E Sage 11-11; R Hollier, J Griffiths, G Hodge 16-7; R Jacobs, R Austin, G Frost 11-13; T Gilbert, C York, A Shattock 5-23; S Thynne, G Thorne, D Jones 6-18; I Linham, T Farmer, J Downing 13-18.

The match against Somerset Masonic was abandoned after just 11 ends when Victoria were fortunately in front. Mike Taylor again skipped his rink to an excellent 11 shot victory, supported by Richard Austin, John Griffiths and Mike Fletcher.

Victoria 49, Somerset Masonic 43 (friendly): R Austin, J Griffiths, M Fletcher, M Taylor 16-5; D Beard, J Smart, D. Jones, A Uccellini 10-8; M Milliner, E Sage, N Sell, B Stock 2-12; J Mingo-West, A Waygood, M Campbell, K Curtis 8-11; P Wyatt, C Chudley, G Frost, J Newman 13-7.

Victoria travelled to Bristol to play GB Britton in a mixed friendly, but the inclement weather caused another match to be curtailed, as only 18 ends were managed.

The rink wins were three each, but GB Britton won the game by 13 shots. The Stocker family managed an emphatic victory, and new bowler Tiffany Ellis enjoyed being on the highest winning rink yet again.

Victoria 87, GB Britton 100 (mixed friendly): S Milliner, J Mingo-West, S Newman, C Gazzard 4-23; C Sage, K Holland, D Hurst, D Fairhurst 14-17; R Austin, R Cleeves, T Gatehouse, J Newman 19-10; D Owen/A Austin, E Sage, M Chudley, M Taylor 16-20; P Wyatt, M Milliner, A Holland, C Chudley 14-20; T Ellis, L Stocker, N Stocker, M Stocker 20-10.

Victoria were slow off the mark in this North Somerset Knockout Cup match against Clevedon Promenade. Victoria slowly got on top and in the end, won in a canter.

Mike Stocker skipped his rink to another emphatic victory, this time supported by Pete Wyatt, Hugh Gibbs and Derek Hurst. They are away to Banwell in the next round.

Victoria 133, Clevedon Promenade 77: J Newman, A Uccellini, B Stock, M Cooper 28-17; D Fairhurst, N Sell, D Williams, C Gazzard 31-15; M Campbell, K Curtis, S Evans, W Harrison 26-17; P Wyatt, H Gibbs, D Hurst, M Stocker 31-13; P Lunn, M Manning, A Bray, M Taylor 17-15.

In the Somerset County League, the A team did not have a game so it was left up to the other three teams to fly the flag.

The C and D teams were both narrowly beaten each picking up just two points for a sole winning rink. The rink of John Codrington, Keith Holland, Graham Rain and Derek Jones for the B team and Richard Hollier, Bill Nicholls, John Mingo-West and John Kerr for the D team.

The B team recorded a significant victory at home against Yatton B, with Pete Wyatt and Hugh Gibbs again in a highest-winning rink with this time club captain Mike Manning and skip Brian Stock.

Victoria B 64 (10), Yatton B 37 (2): H Whyte, P Fisher, A Bray, M Taylor 14-20; G Richards, M Richards, J Howell, D Hurst 21-10; P Wyatt, H Gibbs, M Manning, B Stock 29-7.

Victoria C 47 (2), Congresbury B 55 (10): R Austin, M Milliner, A Shattock, S Evans 13-21; J Codrington, K Holland, G Rain, D Jones 20-16; M Campbell, E Sage, T Gatehouse, G Frost 14-18.

Victoria D 61 (2), Clarence B 65 (10): R Jacobs, N Stocker, N Sell, D Avery 19-26; K Leahy, A Webb, A Waygood, J Griffiths 17-21; R Hollier, W Nicholls, J Mingo-West, J Kerr 25-18.

CLARENCE Blues won on five of the six rinks to register a highly-satisfying 15-shot away victory over local rivals St Andrews in Division One of the Weston & District Over-60s League.

Captain Mike Clay, Mick Edlin, Gerald Barlow, Paul Tubb and David Stott were the winning Clarence skips, with Stott notching up his second victory in 10 days over the formidable St Andrews skip Barrie Forse, an ex-Clarence member.

St Andrews 96 (2), Clarence Blues 111 (18): B Rossiter, T Mannion, M Edlin 20-13; L Lakey, I Phipps, G Barlow 18-17; R Flicker, J Keay, M Clay 19-11; T Ward, R Crawford, P Tubb 20-10; R Dodson, B Underwood, R Burrough 12-29; A Bishop, M Adams, D Stott 22-16.

One-shot victories in both singles helped Clarence to a 3-2 victory over Prattens at Midsomer Norton in the first round of the Bowls England Top Club competition.

Trevor Pritchard took the two-wood singles 14-13 after an extra end and, with the triple of Mick Edlin, Jim Keay and Roger Burrough having a huge lead, Clarence needed club champion David Stott to win his four-wood singles to put them through. At 20-20, he drew the shot on the last end, which meant that the pairs and fours, who were both behind, did not need to finish their games.

Two-wood singles: T Pritchard 14-13; four-wood singles: D Stott 21-20; pairs: R Flicker, M Clay 11-15 (unfinished); triples: M Edlin, J Keay, R Burrough 28-14; fours: T Ward, M Adams, R Crawford, P Tubb 11-28 (unf).

Clarence A, the newly-promoted north champions, made a poor start to their Premier Two campaign in the Somerset County League, losing by 14 shots at home to Chew Stoke A.

They began well, with Paul Tubb’s rink 8-0 up after a six on the second end, but only Roger Burrough’s team won for the home side as both teams found the strong wind a hindrance.

Clarence A 51 (2), Chew Stoke A 65 (10): R Flicker, T Pritchard, D Towie, P Tubb 18-23; B Rossiter, R Crawford, G Aldridge, D Stott 11-27; M Edlin, T Mannion, M Clay, R Burrough 22-15.

In Division Three North of the County League, Clarence B did well to win by four shots away to Victoria D in their first game.

Although Barrie Underwood, Mike Scoins, Martyn Adams and John Edwards formed the only losing Clarence rink, the seven shots they picked up over the last two ends proved decisive. Brian Ballinger and Gerald Barlow-the latter’s team scored nine shots on the last four ends - were the victorious skips for the visitors.

Victoria D 61 (2), Clarence B 65 (10): A Bishop, D Jackman, M Davies, G Barlow 26-19; T Ward, R Dodson, B Duffy, B Ballinger 21-17; B Underwood, M Scoins, M Adams, J Edwards 18-25.

The Golds, Clarence’s second team in the Over-60s League, were at home to Clevedon and found the visitors, newly relegated, too strong. John Kellaway, Jim Hicks and John Edwards formed the only winning rink for the Golds and that was by just one shot.

Clarence Golds 76 (2), Clevedon 136 (18): J Hawkins, John Hayes, M Davies 9-29; J Norris, K Marshall, M Phillips 11-24; J Kellaway, J Hicks, J Edwards 19-18; J Larvin, J Atkins, G Phillips 13-19; J Stewart, B Cheffers, D Jackman 12-20; C Tippett, M Scoins, B Duffy 12-26.

Eighty players from Clarence and tourists Chippenham battled through horrendous traffic for a 10-rink mixed friendly, which the visitors won by four shots.

Mick Edlin, David Stott, Richard Crawford and John Edwards were the victorious Clarence skips in an enjoyable and closely-fought match.

Clarence 168, Chippenham 172: Lesley Phipps, C Tippett, M Scoins, R Burrough 15-20; Lucy Oldham, J Hawkins, R Stacey, M Edlin 20-11; Elaine Stott, B Difford, Pat Phillips, M Clay 9-22; Brenda Hayes, J Stewart, D Jackman, D Stott 20-15; Ann Crawford, A Kermack, B Cheffers, M Phillips 10-22; Irene Hicks, Pauline Burrough, John Hayes, R Crawford 21-13; J Norris, D Gilbert, Joan Duffy, T Mannion 15-17; B Rossiter, R Dodson, A Bishop, June Allard 21-25; Verlie Edwards, M Skyrme, J Hicks, M Davies 13-15; R Flicker, Shirley Searle, T Ward, J Edwards 19-17.

Clarence 98, Cheltenham Whaddon 156: Shirley Scoins, T Cockcroft, Irene Hicks, R Stacey 11-22; F Al-Hinai, Elaine Stott, Ann Crawford, M Phillips 16-29; Marlene Woods, A Bishop, M Scoins, Veronica Jones 18-8; Pam Fowler, B Rossiter, J Larvin, D Jackman 11-25; L Phipps, J Hicks, K Marshall, Audrey Powell 11-30; R Dodson, Pat Phillips, I Phipps, Carol Edlin 17-20; J Kellaway, Pauline Dunn, Carol Marshall, B Duffy 14-22.

Clarence are holding open days for prospective new members, both men and ladies of any age, throughout May on Sundays (10am-4pm) and Wednesdays (10am-1pm). The sessions are free, with all equipment supplied, and qualified coaches.

Junior coaching sessions for younger players have started and will continue every Thursday evening (from 6pm) for the rest of the season. For more details, phone the club on 01934 632748 or coaches David Stott 01934 625404 and Roger Burrough 01934 627407.

WINSCOMBE started the week with a good 35-shot win at Bath, winning on five rinks to one.

The first home Clevedon and District Evening League match gave visitors West Backwell their first win in the league. This result was the exact reverse of Winscombe’s win at Bath. They won just one rink and lost by 35 shots.

The friendly at Taunton was a close game with Winscombe winning by three shots and by three rinks to two. Mike Nash’s rink dropped a six to lose by one shot and Tony Watts’ rink picked up a six on the penultimate end to secure victory.

For the first time Winscombe fielded three teams in the Somerset County League. They have two teams in the Division 1 North League and their third team is entered in Division 3.

All three teams lost, but both the A and C sides picked up valuable rink wins and points. The A team were at home to West Backwell and after 16 ends the match was tied, although the captain’s rink was in arrears. In the end Winscombe won two of the three rinks, but West Backwell won by shots shots overall.

The B team lost on all rinks, while the C team picked up points for one winning rink. This rink unfortunately lost their skip, Ray Freegard, after eight ends as he was feeling unwell. Paul Hopes took over and even after 25 per cent deduction, still managed to win.

Winscombe A 52 (4), West Backwell 60 (8): R Lowman, C Westlake, L Collier, T Ellis 21-18; S Easterby, K Whatling (c), R Lacy, R Birmingham 10-28; G Lloyd, R Kibble, R Feltham, M Adams 21-14.

Winscombe B 40 (0), Burnham 80(12): G Hill, M Hunter, A Dudley, A Watts 15-23; A Pye, G Matthews, P Fredersdorff, G Neville 16-30; N Hansford, J Sprouting, M Dorrington (c), M Nash 9-27.

Winscombe C 45 (2), Chew Stoke B 64 (10): D Johnson, K Headford, R Weller, R Knight 14-19; D Beaverstock, C Bailey, P Hopes, R Freegard 18-16; D Rush, J Smith, B Paul, G Coombe (c) 13-29.

Winscombe 97, Taunton 94 (friendly): B Paul, R Freegard, P Fredersdorff, M Nash 22-23; D Owen, D Rush, G Hill, G Neville 16-20; K Whatling (c), J Smith, A Dudley, M Adams 21-13; P Hopes, M Hunter, L Collier, A Watts 22-14; R Knight, R Weller, R Lowman, R Feltham 16-24.

Winscombe 90 (1), West Backwell (7) (Clevedon & District Co-operative Funeralcare League): J Sprouting, R Kibble, P Fredersdorff, M Nash 14-24; G Hill, M Hunt, L Collier, A Watts 16-31; R Weller, N Hansford, K Whatling, R Lacy 24-19; G Coombe, D Beaverstock, M Dorrington, A Dudley 21-24; P John, P Hopes, A Pye, R Lowman 15-26.

Winscombe 132, Bath 97 (friendly): R Weller, J Sprouting, M Nash 22-17; P Hopes, M Hunt, R Lowman 26-12; D Beaverstock, G Lloyd, P Fredersdorff 24-16; D Peakall, K Whatling, W Ainsworth 14-19; D Owen, L Baldwin, A Dudley 35-11; R Knight, M Hunter, L Collier 19-15.

WEDMORE men’s B team played at Nailsea in a County League Division 2 match, losing two rinks and drawing the third, losing 49-65.

The best Wedmore performance came from D Collins, K Burt, B Ashton, and B Cottrell, who drew their rink 17-17.

In a Top Club match at Portishead, Wedmore’s woes continued with all four rinks losing. With all the games played in a good spirit, Ray Newell playing four-wood singles came the closest to winning with a 19-20 result.

Wedmore’s ladies had just one league match this week, at home against Clevedon Prom in the Wessex League.

Only 15 ends were played due to rain and high winds. Each side won a rink and one rink was drawn.

Wedmore Ladies 35 (3), Clevedon Prom 45 (7): P Cottrell, J Collins, J Hunt, Hamblin 16-14; E Deverell, D Gallop, M Fisher, J Wheller 13-13; J Masters, M Barron, C Pettit, S Moss 6-18.

Two touring sides visited this week, Cumbria and Ynys ladies and at both games some of Wedmore’s more gallant men made up the numbers.

Against Cumbria, Wedmore managed a 141-116 victory winning four out of six rinks. Ynys ladies gave a good showing and Wedmore won three rinks out of five. Final score was 97-84.

CLARENCE Ladies 44, Yatton 40: S Scoins, S Searle, P Burrough, M Baker 14-12; H Goodwin, S Ellis, C Edlin, M Noddings 18-10; B Hayes, M Woods, P Phillips, P Hawkins 12-18.

Wessex v Clarence Ladies 48, Wessex 30 (game abandoned after 10 ends): S Ellis, A Harris, L Phipps, M Baker 10-5; S Scoins, P Phollips, P Burrough, J Bishop 12-3; A Ballinger, M Davison, P Hawkins, V Collicott 3-13; J Colman, S Searle, C Edlin, M Noddings 14-3; L Oldham, M Woods, V Senior, P Dunn 9-8.

ASHCOMBE Ladies 42 (8), Portishead 32 (2) (North Somerset Triples League): J Field, J Wilkinson, A Goacher 13- 9; M Tucker, M Tasker, S Weadon 11-13; M Main, N Counsell, S Hopkins 18-10.

Friendly rink: S Appleby, B MacGregor, S Ford 7-16 (after 11 ends).

Ashcombe Ladies 38 (0), Clevedon 60 (8): N Counsell, M Tasker, S Weadon 16 -22; S Noyes, S Ford, J Hughes 12 -19; M Tucker, J Wilkinson, A Goacher 10 -19.

Ashcombe Ladies 18, Yatton 45 (friendly): J Field, D Norville, S Weadon, B Cullen 5-17; A Cox, S Appleby, B Groves, C Hedges 5-14; L Owens, M Tucker M Tasker, J Hughes 8-14.

WINSCOMBE ladies lost their first game of the week against Wessex, despite a decisive win (26-12) on one rink skipped by Eve Watts.

Winscombe fell short on the other two rinks to allow Wessex to win overall by five shots.

The week ended on a successful note with Winscombe achieving their first win in the Wessex League, winning two of the three rinks against North Petherton. A fight back on the rink skipped by captain Lesley Fredersdorff coming back from 10-22 after 14 ends to finish 22-24, nearly made it a full house and allowed the home team to win by 13 shots and pick up eight points.

Winscombe Ladies 49 (2), Wessex 54 (8) (Wessex League): C Hopes, P Burns, S Nash, L Fredersdorff (c) 10-23; A Griffin, L Parfitt, R Keane, A Ainsworth 13-19; J Kimmins, L Dyer, J Rush, E Watts 26-12

Winscombe 60 (8), North Petherton 47 (2) (Wessex League): P Heal, M Sprouting, S Nash, L Fredersdorff (c) 22-24; T Miles, T Darkin, S Caddy, E Watts 16-11; M Smith, S Lowis, W Weller, R Keane 20-12.

WESSEX Ladies 54 (8), Winscombe 49 (2) (Wessex League): P Turner, B Wallace, M Hawkins, D Forsyth 23-10; P Hanson, S Davies, J Duffy, M Williams 12-26; J Allard, J Binding, C Peart, M McMillan 19-13.

Wessex Ladies 42 (2), West Backwell 62 (8) (Weston & District League): P Hanson, B Jones, M Davis 15-12; C Peart, M Hawkins, A Ward 12-31; J Allard, J Binding, M Williams 15-19.

Wessex Ladies 42 (0), Victoria 71 (10) (Mendip League): C Walker, M Hawkins, J Duffy 12-22; P Turner, A Fewings, A Ward 16-23; P Hanson, M Davis, P Taylor 14-26.

Wessex Ladies 0, Bath 4 (Top Club) - singles: C Peart 18-21; pairs - A Fewings, D Forsyth 14-17; triples: P Hanson, P Taylor, A Ward 10-25; fours: J Allard, E Deane, M Davis, J Davis 15-26.

VICTORIA ladies enjoyed two victories in the Mendip League as they completed their second week undefeated in all matches.

Victoria Ladies 61 (8), Fosseway 42 (2): C Sage, S Newman, M Chudley 22-9; J Donald, R Bailey, M Hillman 16-21; R Cleeves, A Holland, S Cooper 23-12.

Victoria Ladies 71 (10), Wessex 42 (0): M Angove, S Newman, M Chudley 22-12; C Sage, S Harrison, M Hillman 26-14; S Milliner, R Cleeves, A Holland 23-16.