Seasoned campaigners Barrie Forse and Ken Uglow defeated clubmates Andrew Owens and Craig Walker in the area final of the national indoor pairs competition.

The all-St Andrews battle in the area final of the national indoor pairs went the way of seasoned campaigners Barrie Forse and Ken Uglow.

They beat their more youthful clubmates Andrew Owens and Craig Walker 19-11 at Street to qualify for the EIBA national finals at Melton Mowbray in April.

Owens, who broke a bone in his left foot more than two weeks ago, had to use a wheelchair, pushed manfully by clubmate Andy McMillan, to get up and down the rink. The injury was an obvious handicap and Uglow had the edge in the leads’ tussle.

With Forse bowling some brilliant woods, the younger pair were always behind and conceded with four ends to go.

Forse had also hoped to get through to the nationals in the inter-area final of the over-60 singles at Clevedon. But from 11-6 ahead, he struggled to match Clarrie Dunbar’s John Freeman and lost 21-14.

He gained some consolation on the same evening, when he and Ken Uglow beat a Taunton Deane duo 23-19 to reach the semi-final of the county pairs. Earlier in the week, Forse, Uglow and Darrell Johnston got through to the last four of the county triples, beating a useful Clarrie Dunbar trio 18-11.

Three of St Andrews’ promising youngsters bowled well at the English Bowls Development Scheme School of Excellence on Saturday. Teenagers Imogen Cracknell, Luke Yeates and Sam Stocker, he is also a member at Victoria, qualified for the regional finals at Taunton in April.

For the second time this season, Frome-based Clarrie Dunbar proved too strong for depleted St Andrews, this time in the Somerset county men’s two-rink competition.

Don Bailey’s home Saints’ rink stayed within touching distance of four county players until halfway but lost eventually by 12. Barrie Forse’s much-changed away line-up faced even stronger opposition and went down by 20.

Clarrie Dunbar 57, St Andrews 25 – home: J Wilkes, G Millard, P Villis, D Bailey 15-27. Away: M Campbell, N Sell, R Venn, B Forse 10-30.

A handsome victory on Ron Gill’s rink set up a win for St Andrews in the home mixed friendly against Taunton Deane. His four won by 19, more than offsetting narrow defeats on the other two rinks.

St Andrews 60, Taunton Deane 50: G Hill, Carol Hopes, R Brereton, I Lamb 16-20; P Smart, June Rush, Irene Tofte, G Cooper 15-20; G Tofte, A Cooper, Jane Smith, R Gill 29-10.

To cap a busy weekend, St Andrews had an excellent response from the public at their open day on Sunday. After they had received some tuition from qualified coach Brian Cracknell, eight people who attended filled in application forms to join the club.

Spend your summer in the convivial and relaxing surroundings of Congresbury Bowling Club.

The new season starts in mid-April at The Green, off Mill Leg, Congresbury. Everyone is welcome, no experience necessary. Just come along on a Monday evening from April 18 at 6pm. Equipment is provided to start you off and coaching is free.

The club also wants to strengthen its league winning sides. So if you are an experienced bowler, looking for a change of scene please contact the club.

Take a look at the website: www.congresburybowls.co.uk or email club secretary Dave Byett on daverby99@gmail.com The clubhouse number is 01934 876578.

Woodspring played against Victoria in the Weston Mixed League. Although the home rinks both won, the away rinks suffered heavy defeats.

Woodspring 54, Victoria 75 - home: S Noyes, C Hedges, S Hedges, M Williams 16-14; J Beat, P Dimmock, G Fews, B Cullen 19-12. Away: P Wynne, S Collard, D Wynne, T Williams 9-18; B Bishop, A Bass, M Bass, T Morgan 10-31.

Clarence Park Bowling Club hosted a return friendly match against North Petherton.

The first game was a runaway win for Clarence ending in a score of 24-9, despite North Petherton grabbing four on the last end. The tables appeared to be turned during the second game, with North Petherton racing into 9-3 lead with Clarence managing to score only one point during the first five ends.

However, a displacement of the jack on the 10th end gave Clarence six points to even the scores. The penultimate end saw North Petherton one point ahead. A tense final end ensued, during which the advantage swung with almost every bowl, but Clarence picked up the one point needed to draw the game.

Both games were played in a spirit that made the afternoon an enjoyable contest and both clubs look forward to meeting again next season.