The St Andrews duo of Barrie Forse and Ken Uglow were pipped in the final of the National Over-60s pairs.

ST ANDREWS pair Barrie Forse and Ken Uglow reached the final of the National Over-60s pairs at Melton Mowbray.

They won through the second round with a comfortable 20-13 scoreline. In the quarter-final against a pair from County Arts, it was a much different story, 0-7 down after just four ends, they came back to a 12-10 lead after 10 ends and finished with a three shot victory.

In the semi-final against a pair from Coventry, they immediately took charge of the game going into a 16-4 lead, finishing with a 20-14 win after 19 ends, as the game was stopped after the four-hour time limit expired.

Then with just a 20 minute break, they went straight on to play the final. This was expected to be a tough game, as their opponents, Malvern Hills, had fought back in their semi from a 4-17 deficit to win.

Barrie and Ken went 2-8 behind in the final just five ends, but were level after 10 ends. They went 12-17 down at 15 ends, but came back to lead 18-17 at 18 ends. They dropped a couple of shots when the time expired at 20 ends, losing by just the one shot 18-19.

MEMBERS of Victoria Bowling Club have just four weeks left to enjoy another busy and successful winter season of indoor bowling before the outdoor green is open.

The Division 1 title was won by the Doves led by Les Baldwin, with the Goldfinches being close runners-up. Relegated to Division 2 are the Avocets and Eagles and are replaced by champions the Thrushes with runners-up Falcons, captained by Malcolm Campbell and Dave Avery respectively.

All the teams are now playing the round robin format of the championship competition with the Knockout phase to follow.

The Triples League has provided much excitement with close competition throughout the season and following the final round of games, Team Bravo, led by Mike Milliner were crowned champions, narrowly beating three other teams with just six points covering the top four.

The ladies’ division has seen two teams, the Larks and Sparrows fighting for the title with just a few games remaining, so the title could still go either way.

The mixed league similarly has yet to be completed, with two teams - Diamonds and Amethysts in pole position.

The men’s county team play in a strong and competitive second division and have this year enjoyed one of their best seasons after beating local rivals St Andrews 83-79 in their penultimate match.

The men’s and ladies’ singles competition are now at the semi-final stages with the mixed pairs finalists Annie Holland and Malcolm Campbell waiting to see if their opponents in the final will be either the Willetts or Newman husband and wife pair.

Presidents Day, the official opening of the outdoor green will be on April 13 and the club will be holding open days on April 20, 27 and 28 between 10am-noon.

A warm welcome awaits bowlers of all ages and ability with free introductory coaching available with qualified coaches and free use of shoes and bowls. Turn up on the day or telephone the club on 623993 to arrange an alternative time.

CLARENCE suffered their first Weston Mixed League defeat of the season in their final match.

The runaway leaders lost by six shots against Victoria, their only rivals for the title. Clarence were up on only one rink, David Stott’s home team, who finished a brilliant 18 shots clear. But Victoria won both their home rinks by a total of 20 and a four-shot defeat for Veronica Jones’s team at Clarence left Victoria the overall winners.

Clarence finished their league programme on 70 points. After Saturday’s win, Victoria have 42, so they need 29 points out of a possible 32 from their last two fixtures, both against St Andrews, to pip Clarence to the title.

Clarence rinks (home); Brian Difford, Rita Hinde, Jan Bishop, David Stott 23-7; Marlene Woods, Rob Stacey, Tony Mannion, Veronica Jones lost by four shots. Away: Beryl Adams, Tony Hooper, Gerald Barlow, Martyn Adams lost 19-12; Mary Davison, Alan Bishop, Jim Keay, Mick Edlin lost 19-6.

In the Clarence indoor competitions, defending champion David Stott reached the final of the singles by beating Barrie Underwood 21-6. His opponent will be Roger Burrough, like Stott, one of the club coaches.

Indoor committee member Jim Keay went through to his second final when he and Alan Bishop beat John Edwards and Harry Sparks in the semi-final of a new competition, the unified pairs. Keay is also in the mixed pairs final, with Joan Davis.

The finals are on the weekend of March 23-24.

ISLE of Wedmore sent a mixed team to Bridgwater Bowling Club for a triples friendly and had an exciting time on two closely-fought rinks.

On a rink where the lead changed four times, Steve Eastment led his team to victory in the end by 14-8. Meanwhile, Maureen Hordle’s side sped into a 10 point lead by the halfway stage, only to see Bridgwater stage a comeback to within two points at the start of the final end.

Wedmore rallied to win 14-11, giving an overall score of 28-19 and avenging a defeat at home earlier in the season.

WOODSPRING ladies entertained Clevedon in a return match and won a closely-fought match 36-29.

On rink one skipped by A Pilgrim it was neck and neck at 9-9 after 13 ends, then Woodspring pulled away to win by 10 shots. On rink two, skipped by S Lupton, they were trailing 12-1 at nine ends, but pulled back to lose by only three shots.

Scores: N Urch, S Collard, M Sutton, A Pilgrim 20-10; S Noyes, I Mills, C Hedges, S Lupton 16-19.

In the Weston Mixed League, Woodspring lost 47-53 to St Andrews.

On rink one at home, skipped by C Hedges, it was a close game. At the 13th end, Woodspring were one shot down, but pulled ahead to win by three.

Rink two skipped by G Russell scored only one shot up to the fifth end, but steadily pulled away to win by nine. Unfortunately both away rinks lost their games.

Home: G Tucker, M Sell, I Bryant, G Russell 17-8; N Urch, S Collard, P Gaulton, C Hedges 11-8. Away: J Sansam, N Coombes, J Beat, N Sell 5-22; G Sansam, M Williams, B Cullen, A Williams 14-15.

ASHCOMBE Bowling Club is looking for new members.

The friendly club is offering free coaching on Wednesdays and Saturday between 10am-noon.

For more information, contact Averill on 01934 514855.