THE men of Clarence Indoor Bowling Club avenged a defeat by the ladies when they beat them 7-1 in the second match of the season.

THE men of Clarence Indoor Bowling Club avenged a defeat by the ladies when they beat them 7-1 in the second match of the season.

In the previous match at the start of the season, the ladies had dominated. This time, their only victory came courtesy of a walkover in the opening game, when two of the men’s four failed to put in an appearance against Margaret Baker, Sue Foster, Lucy Oldham and June Allard.

Eight fours games, each lasting an hour, were played over the day and the men never looked back after a team skipped by Dave Stott had won by six shots in the second encounter.

Some of the men and women played twice, either side of an American supper at lunchtime. They included Andy McMillan, who skipped winning rinks on both occasions. His morning team, which also included Jon O’Mara, John Edwards and Mick Edlin, had a six on their last end.

In a couple of games, the ladies were only two shots adrift, with Jean Higgins, Pam Dunn, Val Collicott and Joan Davis restricting Ian Baker, Chris Read, Alan Richardson and Ron Higgins to a 7-5 victory.

Now all is set for a final and deciding match at the end of the indoor season.

The pairs’ competition at Clarence is still in the early stages. But Veronica Jones and Marlene Woods have taken a notable pair of scalps already, beating Roger and Pauline Burrough 18-14 in the first round.

There was better luck for the Burroughs in the triples, as they and Barbara Jones beat Sarie and Trevor Pritchard and Reg Flicker in a thriller, which went to an extra end.

? ON Saturday, St Andrews are delighted to host the area final of the ladies National Fours.

Bristol await the outcome of the second semi-final between Bridgwater BCL and Minehead. Action gets underway at 10am and entry for spectators is free of charge. St Andrews has ample car parking and a greatly extended viewing area.

Barrie Forse, the losing national finalist in the men’s Over-60 singles for the last two years, is on course to make it third time lucky. He is through to the area final on Saturday at a venue yet to be decided.

St Andrews National Men’s Over-60 rink lost by the narrowest of margins to a quartet from Bristol in their inter-area final at Nailsea.

Ken Uglow, Richard Venn, Don Bailey and Barrie Forse controlled the early exchanges and, at one point, led 15-5.

With one end to play the Saints, for whom Don Bailey was outstanding, held a slender one point lead, but it was Bristol who snatched the two shots they required for victory.

The Chasers remain totally committed to lifting the Pro Wash Open Triples as they eased aside the Fillies in their latest match, the first since the Christmas/New Year break.

The Jackpots also won, but the Yankees must wait to close the gap at the top as their game was postponed.