THE St Andrews four of Ken Uglow, Don Bailey, Barrie Forse and Andrew Owens had a successful weekend in Nottingham playing in the English National fours and triples, reaching the quarter-final in the fours and last 16 in the triples.

THE St Andrews four of Ken Uglow, Don Bailey, Barrie Forse and Andrew Owens had a successful weekend in Nottingham playing in the English National fours and triples, reaching the quarter-final in the fours and last 16 in the triples.

The first two games in the fours were comfortable wins beating The City of Ely in the first round 18-12 and against Kempston in the second round went ahead 11-0 and finished winners by 19-10.

The quarter-final proved more difficult against a good Malvern Hills side, Saints lost out 27-5.

In the triples, Ken, Barrie and Andrew did well in the first round against a side from Leicester, one shot down playing the last end, Saints piled on the pressure by drawing four shots which the opposition could not remove and finished winners by 20-17. In the last 16 against a strong Spalding side with three internationals, the Lincolnshire side had the edge for most of the game, Saints lost out 8-21.

In the play-off final of the Pro Wash Open Triples, the Yankees faced giant killers the Goodwoods, who had surprisingly beaten the Chasers in the semi-final.

In the early exchanges John Wilkes, Bob Roberts and Don Bailey gave the Goodwoods hope as they led against Mike Berry, Malcolm Campbell and Barrie Forse before losing out by three shots.

On the other rink, skip Richard Venn was in scintillating form leading his team of Carolina Venn and Will Harrison to a resounding 31-7 win for the Yankees.

Most of the St Andrews indoor finals have now been completed. The men’s champion is Andrew Owens and the ladies’ champion is Jackie Ware.

The men’s pairs were both two-time winners so it was a hard fought game with John Wilkes and Don Bailey coming out on top. The ladies’ pair of Jackie Ware and Meg Favis was always favourite and the mixed pair line-up of Pat Uglow and Andrew Owen prevailed once again.

The mixed fours skipped by Ann Campbell just prevailed over a Terry Thomas four by three shots. In the new competition, the singles plate, this was contested by Don Bailey and Malcolm Simpson, Don taking the trophy.

Results – men’s singles: A Owen 21, K Uglow 9; ladies’ singles: J Ware 21, M Favis 15; men’s pairs: J Wilkes, D Bailey. 23, G Millard, B Reeves 15; ladies’ pairs: J Ware, M Favis 25, C Venn, A Powell 9; mixed pairs: P Uglow, A Owens 24, D Favis, M Favis 17; mixed fours: P Uglow, A Yeeles, K Uglow, A Campbell 24, C Venn, R Venn, A Powell, T Thomas 21; men’s singles plate: D Bailey 23, M Simpson 4.

THERE has been varying success in the national and county competitions for Isle of Wedmore Bowls Club.

In the Egham mixed competition, Wedmore went out to BCL in the first round, despite winning the home rinks, the away team lost by a bigger margin.

Wedmore men won their first game in the Denny Cup against BCL, but lost to Victoria Street in the next round. They were more successful in the SCIBA double fours where they lost to Bristol Indoor Bowls Club in the semi-finals after wins against Victoria Weston and Nailsea.

They also completed their games in the SCIBA League and ended a little better than last year by winning three, losing three and drawing one match, to maintain their mid-table position.

Wedmore ladies got through the first round of the Yetton Cup by beating Ilminster, but went out against Taunton Vivary in the second round. In the SCIBA ladies double rink they lost to Clevedon and were narrowly beaten in the Optika by Yeovil.

A good number of mixed friendly, ladies’ friendlies and one or two men’s friendlies have been played with more games won than lost.

The season came to an end with the finals of the club competitions held recently. The results were – men’s four wood singles winner: Ray Newell, runner-up: Dave Nicholls; ladies’ four wood singles: Julie Masters, Mary Ronald; open four wood singles: Rod Bull, Ray Newell; men’s pairs: Eddie Payne and Tony Counsell, Ray Newell and Brian Treloar; ladies’ pairs: Mary Stansfield and Julie Collins, Margaret Barron and Rosemary Blackshaw; mixed pairs: Ron Barron and Iris Rowlett, Brian Treloar and Trish Newell; mixed triples: Barbara Disbrey, John Runciman and Rod Bull, Iris Rowlett, Jim Adams and Bob Ronald.

There were also a number of successful social events enjoyed by members during the winter including a quiz and a beetle drive, as well as fun bowling competitions.

The last indoor social event was the skittles night held at The Woodborough in Winscombe with about 40 members taking part. The Crows (Tony Edmunds, John Wilks, Joe Harris and Lesley Sinnett) coming through to win. Tony Edmunds also won the game of killer played after the supper. The evening was ably organised by Val Hardwick, aided by Margaret Barron and Barbara Disbrey.

The outdoor rinks are scheduled to open on April 16, weather permitting, when a busy schedule of matches will begin.

This friendly club welcomes new members of all abilities and offers tuition from qualified coaches at all levels when equipment and shoes will be provided for taster sessions.

For further information, please contact Pauline on 01934 743271 or Keith on 01934 733237.

CLARENCE Bowling Club this week launched what president Reg Flicker calls ‘the biggest recruitment drive by any sports organisation in the west country’.

The club, based in Walliscote Road, Weston-super-Mare, is thriving, but, with its sister bodies Clarence Ladies and Wessex Ladies, wants more members to ensure that all three are equally as successful in the future.

This week, 20,000 leaflets are being distributed in Weston and the surrounding area inviting men and women, of any age, including children, to try bowls free of charge on the Clarence greens, starting next Monday.

The sessions will run daily from Monday, between 11am and 1pm (weather permitting) until Sunday, May 15, with all equipment provided and supervision by the club’s coaches, assisted by other members, including women. Those interested can attend as many sessions as they like.

When Reg Flicker, a retired marketing executive, became Clarence president at the end of last year, he said that recruitment would be his top priority and the leaflet blitz is his idea.

Mr Flicker said this week: “Our facilities, with three immaculate greens, a wonderful clubhouse, indoor rink and excellent social schedule, are the envy of other clubs. We think we are the best club in the west country and we want more people to enjoy the benefits of being members.

“It doesn’t matter whether people are experienced bowlers or have never tried the game. We want them to come along and see what we have to offer. They will be made very welcome and if they want to join one of the three clubs, the more the better.”

He added, “Our future lies in recruiting more members. Bowls is a great game, not just for the elderly, and we want more people to enjoy it, the more the merrier. I guarantee that anyone who comes to the sessions will enjoy themselves.”

Clarence began their season on Saturday with Captain’s Day, hosted by Ian Baker, who is starting his second full year as club skipper. In glorious weather, the guests of honour were the deputy mayor of Weston, Cllr Jocelyn Holder, and her husband.

With the greens looking immaculate, the bowls began with a spider competition, won by Harry Sparks. Then 18 teams played a triples, in which the winning team comprised club president Reg Flicker, Mary Davis, captain of Wessex Ladies, and Gerry Barlow.

Afterwards, players and many of the club’s distinguished former presidents and captains enjoyed an excellent tea, provided by members of the Clarence and Wessex ladies’ clubs. A special presentation was made to Jean Higgins of Clarence Ladies in recognition of her work on the catering side over the past 20 years.

VICTORIA Bowling Club’s indoor season has been one of the most enjoyable seasons of recent years with competitive bowling across all disciplines.

The Triples League was won by Foxtrot, although they were pushed hard by three other teams who all fell just one point short.

The Division 1 Evening League was won by Yellow Hammers with the Thrushes a close runner-up. Sadly Magpies and Kestrels finished bottom of the division and will be playing in Division 2 next season.

The Wagtails comfortably took the crown in Division 2, the runners-up spot was a close call between Ibis and Avocets who finished on same number of points, but Ibis were promoted on shot difference.

A busy schedule is in place to end of indoor season with several competitions to be decided most notably the triples knockout, championship knockout, singles, pairs and mixed pairs championships.

With the clocks going forward and the arrival of spring, the opening of the outdoor season is keenly awaited when the traditional Presidents Day will take place on April 16.

Open days are being held on April 23 and 30th and May 7 and 14 at 10am when new members of any ability will be warmly welcomed and guidance will be given by qualified coaches.

Anyone interested can telephone the club on 01934 623993 or turn up on any of the morning dates.