A WONDERFUL comeback by Lucy Oldham, Sue Foster, Veronica Jones and Irene Hicks set the ladies on their way to victory over the men in the final ‘grudge match’ of the season at Clarence Park indoor bowling club.

A WONDERFUL comeback by Lucy Oldham, Sue Foster, Veronica Jones and Irene Hicks set the ladies on their way to victory over the men in the final ‘grudge match’ of the season at Clarence Park indoor bowling club.

In the first of seven games, each lasting an hour, the ladies mentioned above went 8-0 down after just two ends against Dave Gilbert, Mike Skyrme, Ian Baker and double indoor champion Richard Crawford, then did not allow the men to score another shot in a 13-8 defeat.

In the second game, John Larvin, Martyn Adams, Dick Jackman and indoor singles champion Andy McMillan levelled the overall score with four shots on the final end to win 9-6. But then brilliant play by Marie McMillan earned the third ladies’ team victory by 4-3 against Chris Read’s men’s four, after which everyone adjourned for an American lunch.

When hostilities resumed, the noisy, pink-clad ladies went two games ahead in another tight match as Mary Davison’s team beat Bob Cornwall’s 6-4. With just three games left, the men needed a victory desperately and achieved it in emphatic style through Reg Flicker, Mike Scoins, Alan Bidmead and double indoor champ Dave Stott, by 14-1.

That made it 3-2 to the ladies. Victory was clinched by Shirley Scoins, Elaine Stott, Jan Bishop and Val Collicott as they edged home 6-5 against the be-shorted Mick Edlin’s four.

The men, skipped by Roger Burrough, had the consolation of winning the last game 9-2, but the ladies’ 4-3 victory gave them bragging rights for the season, because they had been victors in one of the previous two ‘grudge matches’.

The outdoor season gets under way for Clarence men on Saturday, when Weston’s deputy mayor Cllr Jocelyn Holder will bowl the first wood in the traditional President’s Day opening match.

Clarence Ladies and Wessex Ladies, the other clubs based at Clarence Park, hold their President’s Days on April 12, and April 13, respectively.

? WOODSPRING Indoor Bowling Club held a successful finals weekend, which was a resounding success.

In the ladies championship singles, Jean Beat triumphed over Rose Cleeves and in the men’s championship, Tony Williams beat Clive Winser. The Barbara Curtis Cup (ladies non-winners) went to Pat Taylor and the men’s non-winners Plate was won by Bill Hammond.

Rose Cleeves and Sue Cooper won the ladies’ pairs by one shot, the men’s pairs winners were father and son Colin and Clive Winser. Mixed pairs: Sylvia Noyes and Dave Bleasedale; ladies’ triples: Sylvia Noyes, Rose Cleeves and Jean Beat; men’s triples: Tony Barnes, Tony Williams and Malcolm Campbell; mixed triples: Jean Beat, Ray Dunston and Mike Reeves. Woodspring Brick: Tony Williams; men’s representative player of the season: John Watson.

During the summer season anyone wishing to have a go at playing bowls at Woodspring (all you need are a pair of shoes) contact Mike Reeves on 01934 510822 or Ray Dunston on 01934 622524 - everybody welcome.

? MARK Moor Bowls Club season will get underway when the Mayor of Burnham and Highbridge, Cllr Michael Clark, will be bowling the first wood of the season on April 16 at 2.30pm.

Refreshments and a bar will be available - everyone welcome. All proceeds made on the day will be donated to the mayor’s charity.

? ASHCOMBE Park ladies’ president Norma Counsell will open the new season on April 14 at 2pm.