A triple whose players’ combined ages added up to 269 was crucial in earning Clarence Golds an eight-shot home victory over Mark Moor.

A TRIPLE whose players’ combined ages added up to 269 was crucial in earning Clarence Golds an eight-shot home victory over Mark Moor in Division 2 of the Weston & District Over-60s League.

The club’s oldest member John Stewart (93), Bert Cheffers, who will be 90 at the end of this month, and Dick Jackman, the youngster of the team at 88, notched up a 10-shot victory to decide a match which had been tight on most other rinks. The ‘gold oldies’ had a six on the 16th end.

Clarence’s other winning teams were skipped by Mike Davies, club vice-captain Brendan Duffy and John Edwards (by one, having been five behind with three ends to play).

Clarence Golds 111 (16), Mark Moor 103 (4): F Al-Hinai, B Hanks, M Davies 19-15; C Tippett, M Scoins, B Duffy 21-16; J Hawkins, J Hicks, J Edwards 22-21; J Norris, John Hayes, M Phillips 11-16; B Difford, K Marshall, G Phillips 12-19; J Stewart, B Cheffers, D Jackman 26-16.

The Blues, Clarence’s first team, began their season in Division 1 of the Over 60s League by throwing away a winning position against old rivals Victoria Saxons.

With three ends to play, visitors Clarence led by nine overall, but they dropped a total of 23 shots in the closing stages to lose by 14.

Club captain Mike Clay’s triple was the most successful for Clarence, finishing 10 shots ahead, while David Stott, making his Over-60s’ debut, skipped his trio to victory. Roger Burrough’s men won and Paul Tubb’s drew.

Victoria Saxons 112 (14), Clarence Blues 98 (7): R Flicker, J Loveridge, M Adams 7-27; B Underwood, J Keay, M Clay 24-14; S Bishop, M Edlin, D Stott 20-15; T Mannion, J Rogers, P Tubb 18-18; L Lakey, D Thomson, R Crawford 10-21; T Ward, G Barlow, R Burrough 19-17.

The Clarence Sunday team, under new captain Alan Bishop, start their inter-club fixtures this weekend with a six-rink home match against Cheltenham Whaddon.

For four days from Thursday, Clarence hosted the Visually-Impaired Open Tournament, now in its third year. Several home club members acted as markers, while Clarence Ladies and Wessex Ladies looked after all the catering. One of the organisers was Clarence member Bob Rossiter, a member of the England visually-impaired team.

Clarence held the first of their open days for prospective new members, both men and ladies, on Sunday. These will continue 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 also 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.

VICTORIA Saxons opened their account in the Weston Over-60s league and came back to win against Clarence Blues.

Trailing by nine shots after 15 ends, a massive rally during the last few ends saw them through to victory. Despite winning on just two rinks, Mike Taylor skipped his rink of Ray Fenwick and Tony Bray to an excellent 20-shot victory to secure the win.

Victoria 112, Clarence 98: R Fenwick, T Bray, M Taylor 27-7 R Rockett, T Barnes, K Harvey 14-24; J Newman, M Manning, B Stock 15-20; G Richards, A Uccellini, M Stocker 18-18; H Whyte, M Campbell, D Hurst 21-10; K Holland, K Curtis, D Williams 17-19.

The Vikings were on paper on a hiding to nothing against current Division 2 leaders Nailsea, but overwhelmed their visitors, by winning on four rinks and drawing on two.

Club vice-captain Cliff Chudley was delighted with the performance and was full of praise for the whole team.

Victoria Vikings 113 (18), Nailsea 90 (2): M Willetts, A Waygood, A Shattock 15-15; R Hollier, J Codrington, E Sage 26-15; R Jacobs, C Chudley, G Frost 17-9; S Thynne, G Thorne, D Jones 17-15; J Turton, G Rain, C York 17-17; I Linham, T Farmer, J Downing 21-19.

Troedyrhiw mixed team made their annual visit to enjoy a day at the seaside and they certainly enjoyed their game at Victoria winning five of the six rinks. The sole winning rink for Victoria was Pete Wyatt, Sue Newman, Eric Sage and Mike Cooper.

Victoria 88, Troedyrhiw Tourists 126 (mixed): T Ellis, G Richards, N Stocker, M Stocker 13-23; F Waters, M Milliner, M Chudley, P Leadbeater 10-29; D Beard, R Bailey, J Newman, M Taylor 12-22; M Angove, T Gilbert, P Fisher, D Williams 12-16; P Wyatt, S Newman, E Sage, M Cooper 28-14.

WINSCOMBE achieved their first win of the season in the Clevedon & District Co-operative Funeralcare Evening League at Yatton.

This reversed their loss at Yatton in their first game this year. They won on three rinks to two and by six shots overall.

The Weston & District Over-60s Triples League fixture against Burham was also won decisively. Winscombe won by 28 shots and by four rinks to two. Tommy Ellis, Lew Collier and Colin Westlake were the highest winning rink.

The first friendly match at home was close on four rinks out of the five. Overall, Winscombe won three rinks and lost by just one shot on Graham Neville’s rink-even after they had dropped an eight on one end. Unfortunately, one rink was overwhelmed and the game was lost by 11 shots.

Another good win was achieved at Bristol where Winscombe won on all four rinks and by 36 shots overall.

Winscombe 99, Bristol 63 (friendly): S Easterby, B Paul, R Lowman, R Birmingham 21-20; J Sprouting, R Kibble, L Collier, R Lacy 27-10; G Coombe, J Smith, W Ainsworth, G Neville 26-18; M Dorrington (c), M Hunt, A Dudley, A Watts 25-15.

Winscombe 113, Burnham 85 (Over-60’s Triples League): G Lloyd, M Hunter, G Neville 14-16; B Paul, R Kibble, R Lowman 14-11; P Hopes, L Baldwin, A Dudley 25-12; S Coombe, K Whatling, R Birmingham 21-14; C Westlake, L Collier, T Ellis 24-9 ; J Sprouting, P Fredersdorff, M Nash 15-13.

Winscombe 76 (7), Yatton 70 (2) (Clevedon & District Co-operative Funeral League): B Paul, P Hopes, P Fredersdorff, M Nash 13-15 ; S Easterby, R Kibble, L Collier, R Birmingham 21-13; G Coombe, G Hill, K Whatling, A Dudley 9-15; M Dorrington, P John, R Lowman, A Watts 18-15; J Sprouting, L Baldwin, A Pye, R Lacy 15-14.

Winscombe 94, North Petherton 105 (friendly): R Sapsford, K Headford, L Collier, R Birmingham; 23-15; D Owen, K Symons, G Hill, G Neville 21-22; P John, R Knight, K Whatling, A Dudley 20-12; D Johnson, J Smith, P Fredersdorff, M Adams 24-21; B Paul, D Peakall, M Hunt, M Nash 6-35.

Winscombe Ladies played their first match of the season away at Clevedon Prom. There was one winning rink skipped by Angela Ainsworth and a creditable fight back by the rink skipped by Eve Watts, coming back from 4-19 after 12 ends to win six of the last nine ends and pick up 13 shots. Overall Clevedon Prom won two rinks to one and by 11 shots.

Winscombe Ladies 56, Clevedon Prom 67 (Wessex League): T Miles, S Lowis, S Lowman, A Ainsworth 21-18; M Smith, S Caddy, R Keane, L Fredersdorff (c) 18-25; M Sprouting, W Weller, L Whatling, E Watts 17-24.

ST ANDREWS began the week with their first Over-60s League game and were successful on all, but two rinks, winning by 16 points to four against Portishead RBL.

They followed this up with another good win away in a friendly against North Petherton, winning on three rinks, drawing one and going down by just one shot on the final rink.

The week ended with their first national game, playing a strong Bristol B side in the Top Club competition, unfortunately losing in four of the five disciplines.

St.Andrews 114, Portishead RBL 86 (Over -60s Triples League): G Tofte, G Webber, D Favis 21-6; G Sims, B May, A Steer 23-11; M Goddard, B Reeves, G Guest 18-20; B Rogers, A Horsburgh, D Bailey 15-11; K Uglow, A Ware, B Forse 18-20; R Smith, E Day, G Wride 19-16.

St Andrews 99, North Petherton 79 (friendly): T Allen, E Day, A Horsburgh (capt), D Favis 15-19; K Uglow, G Cooper, G Tofte, B Forse 16-17; G Sims, D Price, P Aldus, A Steer 21-13; R Smith, J Ling, R Venn, G Guest 28-11; K Rodgers, M Simpson, G Webber, D Bailey 19-19.

St Andrews 1, Bristol B 4 (National Top Club) - two wood singles: G.Guest 12-18; four wood singles: A Owens 10-22; pairs: K Uglow, B Forse 16-13; triples: M Goddard, P Aldus, A Steer 6-26; fours: R Smith, D Favis, G Webber, G Wride 7-17.

The ladies of St Andrews competed against their male counterparts in competition for the club’s Rose Bowl.

At tea, they were 40 points behind the men and despite great spirit, were unable to catch up in the second half of the game.

Their other two matches provided the ladies with well-deserved victories. Thanks to S Cooper’s (Victoria), E Watts’ (Winscombe) rink, and to the three ladies from Ashcombe Park who played on J Sansam’s rink.

St Andrews Ladies 27, St Andrews Men 75: E Reeves, J Pope, E Blight, J Ware 6, M Blight, A Ware, D Price, A Horsburgh 25; J Forse, M Wride, I Tofte, M Favis 9, A Lay, A Cooper, T Allen, B Reeves 21; W Allen, A Greenwood, B Goddard, A Campbell 12, F Mudge, A MacNab, R McLeod, J Warren 29.

St Andrews Ladies 59, Eastover Park 38: R McMillan, M Frost, A Campbell 15-14; J Forse, D Johnston, I Tofte 17-19; W Allen, A Greenwood, J Smith 27-5.

St Andrews Ladies 134, Cumbria County Ladies Tourists 126:

M Angove, A Holland, M Chudley, S Cooper 27-17; M Wride, A Greenwood, S Priory, M Pattenden 10-26; J Forse, J McMillan, M Frost, M Favis 26-12; W Allen, D Johnston, E Blight, A Campbell 25-10; R McMillan, I Tofte, J Ware, J Pitman 16-13; S Noyes, J Pope, M Sell, J Sansam 10-29; W Weller, L Fredersdorf, S Lowman, E Watts 20-19.

WEDMORE men were in action this week with their first Over-60s Triples League game, having been promoted to the Division 1.

It was a good start to the season with a decisive 132-83 win away against Burnham. Wedmore won five out of six rinks with Keith Pettit, D Trow and B Cottrell having the best win scoring 25-9.

The ladies also played their first league match of the season with a good win in the Victoria League over visiting team North Petherton. The final score was 51-42 with Wedmore winning two rinks and managing a draw on the third, scoring nine points.

A friendly rink was also won by Wedmore. Elaine Deverell, D Gallop, and P Beard had the best differential with a 20-14 win.

Wedmore ladies played a friendly match at home against Yatton, winning one rink out of three. Julie Masters team scored a 20-17 victory.

The first round of the Mark Moor Cup was played and after a nail-biting finish on three rinks, Mark Moor won by just one shot (120-121). Both teams won three rinks with Roger Hughes and his team having the best win 20-15.

The home game against Porlock gave Wedmore the best victory of the season so far with a 100-50 win. All four rinks were won by Wedmore with Colin Moss and his team scoring the best result 30-13.

The away mixed friendly match at Somerton resulted in a draw with 73 points, and two rinks won by each team. Ron Barron and his team had the best differential scoring 26-12.

Wedmore had a tough challenge at Wrington, again in a mixed friendly match, and lost by 42-65. Wrington swept the board by winning all three rinks.

Another tough match was played away at Bradley Stoke with Wedmore losing 54-62. Keith Burt’s team won their rink 19-14.

Finally, the annual charity event was held in glorious weather. Four sessions were held with varying formats and different challenges ensuring that everyone was tested fully.

After much fun, and a fish and chip supper, the individual winner was D Nicholls and the team winners were announced as Keith Pettit, B Clark, J Collingwood and M Green. £170 was raised for charity.

The winning team at Wedmore’s charity day.

VICTORIA ladies have started their season on a high note with two emphatic wins against strong opposition.

New bowlers Tiffany Ellis and Heather Webber made their debuts and Tiffany was a member of the highest winning rink in both matches.

The ladies do not normally travel well, but by not stopping off for lunch before the game at Clevedon may have certainly sharpened their appetite for the game.

Friendly Matches

Victoria Ladies 73, Ashcombe Park 38: S Milliner, C Sage, R Cleeves, S Cooper 21-12; H Webber, J Donald, S Newman, M Hillman 21-18; T Ellis, M Angove, A Holland, M Chudley 31-8.

Victoria Ladies 71, Clevedon 30: C Sage, S Newman, M Chudley 11-12; J Donald, R Cleeves, M Hillman 31-13; T Ellis, A Holland, S Cooper 29-5.

ASHCOMBE Knights played their second Over-60s League game, but lost to Portishead. The only winning rinks were skipped by Tom Bass and Ted Roberts.

In the mixed friendly against Ardagh, Ashcombe narrowly missed a whitewash when Ted Roberts assisted by A Cox, D Norville and P Sheppard managed to win by one shot.

As always, the mixed friendly against Severn Vale was just that, a friendly game but Ashcombe were the victors.

Ashcombe men played against a touring team, Earl Barton and they won on four rinks and overall by 33 shots. The rink skipped by J Hornett was one down on the 12th end, but they pulled back to win 23-7.

Ashcombe Knights 80, Portishead 108: L Day, B Underhay, E Roberts 23-10; M Parry, D Stanton, J Price 16-18; R Counsell, D Norville, E Hopkins 10-27; D Underhay, I Baker, J Main 15-21; D Cooper, A Cracknell, T.Bass 18-15; G Mills, G Kinsey, E Hooper 14-17.

Ashcombe 72, Ardagh 110 (mixed friendly):

S Hopkins, L Owens, G Wilkinson, T Williams 16-21; G Tucker, S Bayntun, I Baker, J Wilkinson 15-25; M Main, L Patterson, G Tottle, L Cox 9-29; B Golding, J Main, J Hughes, E Hopkins 13-17; A Cox, D Norville, P Sheppard, T Roberts 19-18; M MacMahon, M Sell, C Hughes, B Macgregor15-20.

Ashcombe 122, Severn Vale 118 (mixed friendly):

B.Noyes, B Alden, M Tasker, J McInally 23-23; S Noyes, A Cox, S Hedges, J Creasey 25-10; J Mathews, R Tasker, M Williams, A Freke 20-18; L Owens, G Tucker, C Hedges, J Whitlow 12-25; M Tripp, M Sell, B Macgregor, D Williams 28-21; M Tucker, B Benstead, S Hopkins, J Hornett 14-21.

Ashcombe 111, Earl Barton 78: J Machon, G Fews, J Whitlow 19-15; B Noyes, K Morton, J Taylor 17-13; B Golding, I Baker, B Webber 10-16; S Hedges, R Simmons, J Hornett 23-7; M Tripp, A Little, J Creasey 27-10; D Cooper, G Sansam, J Whitton 15-17.

CONGRESBURY 99, Chew Stoke 62 (friendly): M Kimmings, G Stenner, R Archer, T Yearsley 29-6; R Jones, C Blagden, M Huggett, L Beck 14-14; R Baker, D Gosling, S Pook, R Becker 25-9; K Cole, J Churchward, D Manning, B Herbison 10-22; G Wilcock, C Edwards, P Reay, C Shipway 21-11.

Congresbury Ladies 58, Portishead RBL 57 (friendly): A Mew, B Morton, E Stenner, K Herbison 21-23; C Wilcock, S Wright, C Andrews, A Jones 16-21; J Blagden, S Dury, M Hill, V Harding 21-13.

Congresbury 95, Clevedon Prom 102 (Co-operative Funeralcare Evening League): D Manning, D Rivers, R Stewart, L Beck 18-15; S Pook, F Horton, R Archer, J Stone 27-21; G Wilcock, D Byett, G Stenner, B Herbison 16-24; P Reay, R King, C Shipway, R Becker 17-20; J Freemantle, R Anniuk, M Wear, R Kirkham 17-22.

Congresbury 101, Clevedon 104 (Co-operative Funeralcare Evening League): J Freemantle, C Edwards, M Wear, R Kirkham 30-15; S Pook, F Horton, R Archer, J Stone 15-27; P Reay, R King, C Shipway, R Becker 20-27; D Manning, D Rivers, R Stewart, L Beck 13-19; G Wilcock, R Baker, G Stenner, B Herbison 23-16.

Congresbury 84, Bloomfield 100 (friendly): A Edwards, J Churchward, D Rivers, R Becker 13-22; R Jones, C Edwards, D Manning, R Archer 14-21; C Holloway, F Horton, G Stenner, R Kirkham 20-17; A Collins, C Blagden, J Freemantle, R Stewart 17-27; P Dawes, D Gosling, M Huggett, P Reay 20-13.

ASHCOMBE Ladies 54, Congresbury 51: L Owens, S Appleby, J Wilkinson, S Hopkins 25-13; M Main, D Norville, N Counsell, J Hughes 15-17; A Cox, L Paterson, M Tasker, S Weaden 14-21.

Ashcombe Ladies 38, Victoria 72: A Cox, D Norville, B MacGregor, A Goacher 18-20; J Field, B Groves, M Tasker, S Hopkins 8-31; L Owen, M Tucker, N Counsell, S Weaden 12-21.

Ashcombe Ladies 38 (2), Clevedon Prom 57 (8) (North Somerset Triples League): A Goacher, J Wilkinson, M Tucker 9-20; D Norville, N Counsell, B MacGregor 16-15; B Groves, M Tasker, S Weaden 13-22.

Friendly: J Matthews, L Paterson, S Hopkins 28- 8.

DESPITE a round trip to Wrington and back before playing the match, Wessex ladies had a resounding win and grabbed nine Mendip League points.

Wessex Ladies 56 (9), Wrington 41 (1) (Mendip Triples League): J Allard, P Dunn, E Deane 18-14; S Davies, J Binding, J Davis 22-11; V Edwards, M Davis, A Ward 16-16.