Winscombe secure league championship for second year

WINSCOMBE continued on their way to securing the Weston & District Over-60s league championship for the second consecutive year with a resounding win at Portishead RBL by 50 shots winning on all six rinks.

Winscombe 134 (20), Portishead RBL 84 (0): C Westlake, J Sprouting, M Adams 22-11; G Lloyd, G Coombes, M Nash 20-15; D Brown, R Kibble, R Lowman 25-7; J Smith, P Hopes, A Watts 22-19; B Paul, L Collier, T Ellis 24-16 ; K Whatling, M Hunter, G Neville 21-16.

In the Clevedon & District Evening League, it was a different story with a narrow loss at Clevedon, making it impossible for Winscombe to win this league as their table topping opponents Portishead RBL, who they play next week, are now 8.5 points ahead and Winscombe can only get a maximum eight points.

Winscombe 69, Clevedon 73: D Brown, M Nash, G Coombe, A Watts 14-16; M Newing, R Kibble, M Dorrington, S Eastment 12-29; S Easterby, B Paul, R Lacy, T Ellis 20-14; K Whatling, L Collier, R Lowman, M Adams 23-14

In the second leg of the traditional 21-end triples match against Bath, Winscombe won by 12 shots, thanks to the rink skipped by president Rob Lacy. This avenges their defeat earlier in the season at Bath.

Winscombe 114, Bath 102: B Paul, R Feltham, R Lacy 31-13; A Dudley, L Collier, G Neville 14-15; J Smith, J Sprouting, M Dorrington 15-19; R Kibble, G Coombe, A Watts 15-17; P Hopes, M Nash, R Lowman 20-19; S Easterby, W Ainsworth, M Adams 19-19.

Only Winscombe B played in the Somerset County League and travelled to Chew Stoke where they won on one rink, lost on one and drew on the third.

Winscombe 50 (3), Chew Stoke 60 (9): D Johnstone, J Sprouting, R Weller, M Dorrington 14-25; G Lloyd, P Hopes, M Nash, A Watts 18-17; J Smith, E Kindred, G Coombes, G Neville 18-18.

ASHCOMBE played a friendly game at home against Banwell, winning on two of the rinks.

The four of B Miles, J Bryant, S Hedges and T Bass clinched the game with a 37-11 win.

Ashcombe 88, Banwell 66: B Miles, J Bryant, S Hedges, T Bass 37-11; M Dew, G Sansam, B Benstead, G Wilkinson 16-20; M Butt, W Spring, D Wynne, R Tasker 15-18; M Tripp, D Bleasdale, M West, R Powell 20-17.

The Knights played away to Victoria Vikings in the Over-60s League, but only won on two rinks.

Ashcombe Knights 85, Victoria Vikings 106: P Gaulton, G Mills, A Cracknell 10-25; M Field, G Sansam, D Carr 27-12; B Jones, R Counsell, J Main 11-18; R Cole, J Bryant, I Shannon 13-12; N Coombes, R Tasker, E Hopkins 9-19; W Spring, J Marlow, K Wheeler, 15-20.

The Templars took on Clarence Golds in their Over-60s match, managing to win one rink and draw another.

Ashcombe Templars 74, Clarence Golds 104: J McKenzie, S Andrews, L Cox 20-13; G Tucker, B Underhay, M Badman 14-30; B Bishop, B Alden, B Miles 15-24; D Underhay, C Vardon, D Wynne 16-16; M Tripp, G Fews, E Booth, 9-21.

Ashcombe were host to a six-rink men’s touring team from Maesteg. The sun was shining and both teams had an excellent afternoon, even though Maesteg won by 14 shots.

Ashcombe 95, Maesteg 109: G Tucker, W Spring, M Paterson, K Wheeler 18-11;

A Tucker, J McKenzie, B Miles, R Tasker 12-31; J Whitehall, R Counsell, D Freestone, J Main 8-18; M Butt, D Wynne, B Underhay, K Hallett 22-16; B Bishop, D Underhay, G Sansam, G Wilkinson 19-13; K Davies, G Pople, D Carr, J Creasey 16-20.

In the Somerset League, Ashcombe A played Burnham B, taking two rinks and losing the third, winning overall by nine shots.

Ashcombe A 60, Burnham B 51: M West, J Marlow, T Bass, J Whitlow 17-16; M Bass, N Coombes, S Hedges, L Day 14-25; A Wilmot, D Bleasdale, R Powell, DA Williams 29-10.

CLARENCE’S rejuvenated B team took over the third promotion spot in Division 3 North of the Somerset County League when they won by 29 shots away to Chew Stoke B.

Bob Sweet skipped his four to an impressive 26-shot victory, and John Edwards had six shots to spare on his rink, while John Burgess lost by just three as Clarence picked up 10 points.

Chew Stoke B 45 (2), Clarence B 74 (10): J Hicks, M Scoins, M Skyrme, J Edwards 19-13; A Bishop, C Tippett, D Grier, B Sweet 34-8; R Smith, M Davies, K Marshall, J Burgess 21-24.

For the second week running, Clarence A failed to register a point in the Somerset County League, suffering a comprehensive thrashing on Watchet’s fast-running, wide-swinging green.

Roger Burrough’s and Paul Tubb’s rinks both suffered massive defeats, while Gerald Barlow’s four did manage to get into double figures.

Watchet A 95 (12), Clarence A 29 (0): A Gardiner, J Keay, T Pritchard, G Barlow 15-28; M Edlin, B Ballinger, R Crawford, P Tubb 6-33; B Rossiter, T Mannion, D Stott, R Burrough 8-34.

Survival in Premier 2 Division remains the target, Clarence are two places above the relegation zone, with two games left.

From Clarence’s point of view, the highlight of their annual home friendly against Victoria was the fact that Brendan Duffy beat fellow skip Derek Jones for the first time in quite a few meetings.

Apart from Duffy, club captain David Stott, who won by 18, skipped the only other successful Clarence rink as they went down by 29 shots after an enjoyable evening.

Clarence 85, Victoria 114: B Benn, M Skyrme, M Scoins, B Duffy 17-14; A Gardiner, A Bishop, D Jackman, R Burrough 17.-25; B Rossiter, J Kelloway, J Keay, D Stott 29-11; N Flaskett, A Cord, C Read, I Phipps 14-28; F Al-Hinai, R Dodson, T Mannion, K Marshall 8-36.

Clarence’s away friendly with Newport HS Old Boys looked destined to be a wet affair, with heavy rain forecast for part of the afternoon. In view of this, the Welsh captain managed to re-arrange the game to an indoor encounter at the Newport Indoor Bowling Centre.

Despite being out of season, Clarence adapted the better to the indoor rink and ran out winners by 11 shots.

Newport HS OB 101, Clarence 112: D Symes, F Al-Hinai, J Burgess, R Burrough 9-21; B Rossiter, C Tippett, T Mannion, D Stott 29-11; N Martin, K Marshall, M Phillips, G Barlow 28-11, R Smith, I Phipps, D Jackman, R Crawford 14-24; A Bishop, M Peters, M Scoins, B Duffy 17-19; J Edwards, M Skyrme, M Davies, D Grier 15-15.

Clarence Sunday mixed team entertained regular opponents Gloucester City and lost a close match by 13 shots. The home side finished up on two rinks, skipped by John Atkins and Pam Hawkins.

Clarence 106, Gloucester 119: Lesley Phipps, T Ward, Veronica Jones, J Hicks 20-24; Lucy Oldham, Janet Anning, Pauline Dunn, T Mannion 13-27; Pam Fowler, Ann Ward, N Martin, J Atkins 19-17; Ros Francombe, L Lewis, K Marshall, M Scoins 17-20; Shirley Scoins, M Peters, Jo Mannion, I Phipps 15-16; Norma Peters, Pam Dunn, Irene Hicks, Pam Hawkins 22-15.

Clarence Golds travelled to play Ashcombe Templars a rink short in Division 2 of the Over-60s Triples League. However, despite the handicap of a 10-shot and two-point deduction, they won by 20.

Chris Tippett, John Atkins and John Hayes led the way with a 16-shot victory, while Ron Higgins won by 12 and Mike Skyrme finished nine shots ahead. The draw on Brian Hanks’s rink meant that the Golds took 15 points from the match.

Ashcombe Templars 84 (5), Clarence Golds 104 (15): M Thompson, B Sweet, J Edwards 13-20; N Martin, J Hicks, B Hanks 16-16; L Lewis, A Bishop, R Higgins 21-9; B Cheffers, M Scoins, M Skyrme 24-15; C Tippett, J Atkins, John Hayes 30-14.

ST ANDREWS played their Over-60s match away to Portishead RBL, the Saints coming away with 17 points to RBL’s three with a convincing 25-shot win, losing on only one rink and that was by a single shot.

St Andrews 106, Portishead RBL 81: A Cooper, M Goddard, D Favis 21-13; J Bolton, R Venn, G Webber 22-15; B Rogers, T Allen, G Wride 18-9; R Potter, C Coffin, K Curtis 16-15; K Uglow, R Brereton, J Warren 13-13; G Cooper, R Gill, A Ware 15-16.

Playing at home in the Somerset League Premier 2, St Andrews A had a 23-shot win over Yeovil B and took 11 points to their opponents one.

St Andrews A 63, Yeovil B 40: M Goddard, G Cooper, A McMillan, B Forse 22-11; L Yeates, A Ware, R Venn, G Webber 25-13; R Brereton, R McLeod, K Uglow, K Curtis 16-16.

In a high-spirited friendly against Welsh tourists Maesteg, St Andrews lost by 21 shots, despite losing only two of the six rinks played. A 20-shot win by the Maesteg four against the Saints rink skipped by George Webber gave the visitors the win.

St Andrews 83, Maesteg 94: L Yeates, J Ling, R Gill, G Cooper 19-14; K Uglow, M Wride, M Goddard, G Wride 18-17; R Brereton, J Warren, K Curtis, 15-14; A Lay, S Priory, T Ware, R Venn 13-13; A Cooper, A Yeeles, M Favis, D Favis 11-19; P Smart, I Tofte, T Allen, G Webber 7-27.

VICTORIA played their semi-final against Taunton in the Wedmore Plate, sharing the rink wins, but suffered a narrow loss by four shots.

Victoria 74, Taunton 78: M Campbell, R Fenwick, D Fairhurst, W Harrison 24-13; H Whyte, L Stocker, K Holland, P Leadbeater 16-31; P Wyatt, D Williams, J Newman, M Stocker 14-31; N Stocker, A Bray, C Gazzard, M Cooper 20-13.

Victoria C travelled to Portishead, but were well beaten, losing on all three rinks, leaving the team just outside the relegation zone.

Victoria C 48, Portishead 80: R Jacobs, A Shattock, D Williams, D Jones 21-22; R Hollier, E Sage, K Holland, G Frost 10-27; W Nicholls, G Richards, M Millner, G Hodge 17-31.

Victoria Vikings hosted Ashcombe Knights in the Weston & District Over-60s League and avenged an earlier season defeat with a comfortable 21-shot victory and winning on four rinks to secure a valuable 16 points.

Richard Hollier, Alex Waygood and Eric Sage were top rink performers with a win of 15 shots.

Victoria Vikings 106 (16), Ashcombe Knights (4) 85: R Jacobs, J Griffiths, D Jones 9-9; J Turton, W Nicholls, Frost 12-13; T Gilbert, J Langridge, M Milliner 12-27; R Sparkes, R Bromet G Hodge 18-11; L Kelly, T Broughton, A Shattock 20-15; R Hollier, A Waygood, E Sage 25-10.

Victoria travelled to Minehead for their annual friendly and to round off an excellent away day, recorded an emphatic win losing just one rink.

Victoria played another friendly away game, this time just across town to Clarence. The result was another win for Victoria, with the rink of Paul Coumis, Graham Richards, Hugh Gibbs and Keith Holland winning by 28 shots.

Victoria 136, Minehead 90: A Waygood, M Manning, G Frost, M Stocker 23-22; B Pocock, M Milliner, J Newman, P Leadbeater 26-11; L Kelly, R Bromet, P Wyatt, N Stocker 33-11; G Robbbins, E Sage, G Hodge, D Jones 22-17; Carmine, W Nicholls, R Rockett, K Holland 13-15; T Gatehouse, G Richards, K Harvey, M Taylor 19-14.

Victoria 114, Clarence 85: S Stocker, E Sage, R Rockett, D Jones 14-17; L Kelly, P Wyatt, L Stocker, D Hurst 25-17; P Coumis, G Richards, H Gibbs, K Holland 36-8; Carmine, K Allin, D Sealey, D Fairhurst 28-14; J Mingo-West, N Robbins, T Gatehouse, A Barnes 11-29.

A BUSY week in the world of bowls for Banwell started with the final of the club triples.

The Usher Cup was competed over two days by eight teams and the final took place between the side of John Rickerty, Tony Hyde and Harry Woodards against Vivienne Thompson, Trevor Garfield and vice-captain Phil Villis.

The crowd were treated to an excellent display of bowls, Villis and his rink obtained good advantages by picking up a six and seven during the course of the game, but they did not have it all their own way. However, after 18 ends of riveting bowls, Phil, Vivienne and Trevor ran out winners.

Then came two midweek friendly games, one away to Ashcombe, followed by a visit to Chew Stoke. Although winning three of the four rinks, Banwell lost to Ashcombe, but managed to win comfortably on all three rinks at Chew Stoke.

The week ended with matches in the Somerset County League. Banwell A travelled to Street, but could not continue their great run of results. Although the scores on all three rinks were close throughout, it was Street who edged clear to win two rinks and take the match by 10 shots.

It was great effort by the visitors, with two enforced changes and in challenging conditions. However, Banwell still hold onto third spot in the league and look forward to seeing the Street players next season.

Banwell A 54 (1), Street A 64 (11): B Taylor, L Smith, P Villis, C Wilson 16-19; G Millard, P Aldus, D Towie, M Davies 19-19; T Hyde, M Amos, H Guckian, J Davies 19-26.

It was a different story for the B team, as they managed to carry on their good form and win for the fourth week in a row.

Wrington travelled to the pond on sunny Saturday afternoon and, in a game where the home side dominated from start to finish on two of the three rinks, Banwell B gained 10 points.

With other results going their way, Banwell B, with two games remaining, will be in North 2 for next season.

Banwell B 75 (10), Wrington 47 (2): T Garfield, M House, J Rickerty, H Woodards 29-9; T Burnett, J Amos, A Vickery, J Laurent 14-27; V McArdell, C Coffin, M Laycock, K Burgess 32-11.

ISLE of Wedmore Ladies started the week with a defeat at home to Nailsea in the Mendip League, with Marie Trow’s rink posting a single shot win.

Wedmore Ladies 39, Nailsea 66: J Collingwood, J Wheller, M Trow 19-18; J Collins, M Perry, S Wederell 11-21; B Clark, C Pettit; L Hamblin 9-27.

Wedmore men continued their winning progress when they were at home to Chew Stoke in the Clevedon and District Over-60s League, losing on only one rink in. A good 23-7 win on Tony Brown’s rink did much to improve the winning margin.

Wedmore 103, Chew Stoke 86: B Keen, D Collins, C Moss 12-23; D Trow, I Gallop, T Brown 23-7; T Collingwood, A Birch, R Barron 14-10; C Wheller, J Harvey, D Stansfield 17-13; B Aston, R Norris, K Pettit 19-16; P Smith, J Runciman, C Panchaud 18-17.

A three-rink friendly match saw the ladies playing away to St. Andrews. In a closely-contested game, they drew two rinks and lost one.

Wedmore Ladies 42, St Andrews 51: J Collingwood, A Birch, D Gallop 14-14; P Jenkins, M Stansfield, M Barron 11-20; AM Wilkinson, B Disbrey, M Trow 17-17.

The ladies were again in action when they were at home to Victoria in the Weston and District League. Despite losing on two of the three rinks they pulled off an overall victory, thanks to a sterling 22-6 win on Gill Harvey’s rink. In an accompanying friendly rink, Wedmore were again victorious, winning 22-6.

Wedmore Ladies 48, Victoria 41: B Disbrey, C Mercer, M Hordle 16-18; J Collingwood, M Perry, E Deverell 10-17; J Collins, P Beard, G Harvey 22-6.

A second game of the week in the Clevedon and District Over-60s League saw the men away to West Backwell. In a closely fought contest, Wedmore won four of the six rinks to emerge winners by just two shots, to hold on to their second spot in the league table.

Wedmore 102, West Backwell 100: R Hunt, I Faulkner, T Brown 19-18; A Birch, J Runciman, K Burt 13-18; B Back, T Hamblin, K Pettit 23-8; T Counsell, T Simpson, R Newell 17-15;V Matthews, D Collins, C Moss 21-14; D Skelton, J Harris, R Barron 9-27.

With Gill Harvey’s quartet producing the only win of the evening in the Mid Somerset Mixed League, Wedmore were again on the losing end, going down at home to Prattens by two rinks to one.

Wedmore Ladies 54, Prattens 65: T Counsell, B Clark, C Wheller, G Harvey 23-17; A Birch, M Perry, C Panchaud, R Newell 14-27; T Newell, A Birch, J Harvey, J Masters 17-21.

There was another narrow victory for Wedmore away to Wellington in a four-rink mixed friendly match. Honours were even at two rink wins each, but Wedmore came out on top with an overall win, scoring 63 shots to Wellington’s 59.

The weekend proved to be a great disappointment for the British Wheelchair Bowling Association who were to have held their national pair’s championship at Wedmore for the fourth year running on Saturday and Sunday.

Unfortunately the event had to be cancelled due to lack of entries and it is to be hoped that 2016 will bring a renewal of interest in this hitherto popular and well attended event.

WESSEX Ladies defeated league leaders West Backwell, the score on the winning rink skipped by Pat Taylor sufficient to record a win.

Wessex Ladies 51 (6), West Backwell 49 (4): E Wade, V Edwards, B Jones 17-18; P Turner, E Deane, J Davis 11-23; C Peart, A Powell, P Taylor 23-8.

Wessex Ladies 55 (2), North Petherton 56 (8): N Peters, T Langford, M Davis, J Duffy 22-15; B Hates, E Wade, M Hawkins, J Davis 15-18; V Gardiner, E Stott, A Ward, P Taylor 18-23.

Wessex president Joan Duffy bowling at the jubilee two-wood pairs event.

ASHCOMBE Ladies 46 (1), Clevedon Prom 56 (9) (Wessex League): L Owens, S Bayntun, M Tasker, S Weaden 12-20; J Field, M Williams, J Wilkinson, A Goacher 16-16; A Cox, M Tucker, D Norville, S Hopkins 18-20.

Ashcombe Ladies 61 (7), North Petherton 48 (3): L Paterson, J Sansam, M Tasker, S Weaden 25-10; M Main, S Noyes, J Wilkinson, A Goacher 18-20; N Counsell, J Matthews, B MacGregor, J McInally 18-18.

Ashcombe Ladies 53 (6), Clarence 44 (4) (North Somerset League): N Counsell, M Tasker, S Weaden 14-15; M Main, J Wilkinson, A Goacher 28-12; M Tucker, B MacGregor, J McInally 11-17. Friendly rinks: A Brigham-Curtis, B Cullen, S Hopkins 12-25; L Owens, A Cox, D Norville 20-12.

WINSCOMBE Ladies won their two league matches last week.

In the North Somerset Triples League, they won on all three rinks against Portishead and picked up 10 points.

Winscombe Ladies 60, Portishead 37: I Miles, W Weller, E Watts 18-13; C Bryant, J Rush, J Kimmins 25-12; C Hopes, S Lowman, M Adams 17-12.

At Mark Moor in the Wessex League, Winscombe had a close win by just two shots, but won on two rinks and gained another eight points.

Winscombe Ladies 51, Mark Moor 49: I Miles, C Bryant, J Rush, L Parfitt 15-20; L Coombes, S Lowis, S Lowman, M Adams 17-12; M Sprouting, S Nash, L Whatling, W Weller 19-17.

In a friendly at home to Victoria, Winscombe lost on all three rinks.

Winscombe Ladies 43, Victoria 74: I Miles, L Parfitt, L Whatling, R Keane 13-22; T Darkin, P Burns, W Weller, M Sprouting 13-27; L Coombes, D Sapsford, S Lowman, S Caddy 17-25.

ST ANDREWS Ladies, playing home in the DRT League against West Backwell, took all 10 points with a 33-shot win.

The triple of Pat Uglow, Irene Tofte and Jackie Ware had a notable 20-shot win on their rink.

St Andrews Ladies 63, West Backwell 30: C Venn, W Allen, B Goddard, M Pattenden 20-14; I Cracknell, S Priory, D Johnston, M Favis 16-9; P Uglow, I Tofte, J Ware 27-7.

In a close home friendly against Isle of Wedmore, St Andrews drew two rinks, but the seven-shot advantage on the third rink gave them a win.

St Andrews Ladies 50, Isle of Wedmore 43: M Barnes, D Johnston, M Favis 14-14; I Cracknell, S Priory, M Pattenden 19-12; S Glenville, A Greenwood, J Ware 17-17.

VICTORIA Ladies played a three-rink friendly against Winscombe, winning on all rinks and the match by 33 shots.

In the Weston & District Triples League, Victoria won on two rinks, but lost the game by a narrow margin.

Victoria Ladies 76, Winscombe 43: N Whyte, S Sokol, S Newman C Sage 27-17; B Williams, G Poolman, S Cooper R Cleaves 22-13; K Wilson, S Pocock, M Hillman A Holland 27-13.

Victoria Ladies 41 (4), Wedmore 48 (6): S Milliner, R Cleeves, S Cooper 18-16; B Williams, S Soko, C Sage 17-10; C Stevens, C Willetts, A Holland 6-22.

CLARENCE Ladies finished up on two of the three rinks, but lost by nine shots at home to Ashcombe in the North Somerset Triples League.

The triple skipped by Margaret Noddings drew shot on the last end to win by one, while Carol Edlin finished six ahead on her rink.

Clarence Ladies 44, Ashcombe 53: M Angove, V Jones, M Noddings 15-14; S Ellis, M Davison, A Harris 12-28; P Fowler, J Mannion, C Edlin 17-11. Friendly triples: S Scoins, P Dunn, P Burrough 25-12; K Bradbury, L Oldham, S Searle 14-20.

At home to Portishead in the Weston & District League, Clarence had a big victory on one rink, but lost the other two. Pam Fowler, captain Jo Mannion and Carol Edlin were the successful triple, winning by 20.

Clarence Ladies 43, Portishead 56: P Fowler, J Mannion, C Edlin 29-9; S Scoins, V Jones, P Barnbrook 5-26; M Angove, A Harris, M Davison 9-21.