It was another busy week for all concerned at Honiton Bowls Club, writes Tony Broughton.

On Monday three rinks of men travelled to Exmouth and the Madeira Club but came unstuck with a 57-63 loss against what is without doubt the strongest club in East Devon.

On Wedne It was another busy week for all concerned at Honiton Bowls Club, writes Tony Broughton. sday four mixed triples played Dunkeswell at home and were beaten 62-74 two teams winning and two losing.

The teams skipped by Dave Roberts and Ken Clarke lost 10-28 and 12-20 respectively George Kille’s team won 20-18 and Bill Nicholls, an ex-Sidmouth player returned to the game after almost a decade off at lead with Judith Broom, whose game has improved immeasurably this season, at two, and Marion Vessey taking the winning spot 20-8. I seem to recall that Bill was one of Sidmouth’s better bowlers and certainly most would be pleased to have him set free with three bowls at the front end of a team. Welcome back Bill, we are glad you chose Honiton for your return.

Thursday saw the Ladies in competitive mode again for the second time in a week against Torquay United in the Foxlands competition.

In the away leg Berry Maynard, Rita Barwick, Brenda Harris and Shirley Hiscocks lost by one shot whilst Sally Spreadbury, Anne Newman, Carol Smith and Julie Grant had a convincing 31-11 win.

Back at Honiton Lynda Dommett, Dulcie Broughton, Joan Heard and Sue Evans lost 14-19, but Rosemary Hirons, Phyllis Milnor, Ann Hillyear and Pearl Hackwood won 20-16, giving Honiton a match win and six points out of the 10 available.

On Saturday the men and the ladies played competitive matches. The men took on Sidmouth in the Inter Club League with the ladies meeting Budleigh in the Yetton Trophy.

Both had convincing four rink wins. For the ladies, at home, Yvonne Rayner, Dulcie Broughton, Joan Heard and Sue Evans won 36-5. Berry Maynard, Anne Newman, Rita Barwick and Shirley Hiscocks won 25-15. In the away leg Rosemary Hirons, Ann Hillyear, Pearl Hackwood and Carole Binmore were 29-5 winners and there was a 34-14 success for Sally Spreadbury, Tracy Crawford, Carol Smith and Julie Grant.

The men had a real corker of a win although the two home teams struggled. One being well down for half the match, but they fought back and Eddie Sharman regularly saved their bacon.

On the other rink new player Peter Goodwin played well, showing great promise for the future, but their saviour was skip Kevin Lovering, pulling out great shots on several occasions when multiple shots down. The home scores saw Ken Clarke, Ray Gregory, Malcolm Seabourne and Eddie Sharman win 23-19 and Pete Goodwin, Dennis Hillyear, Roger Binmore and Kevin Lovering triumph 16-14.

In the away leg Fred Cowey, Liam Crawford, Tony Tooley and Phil Spreadbury won 25-15. whilst there was a whopping 36-7 victory for Wally Heard, Kieran Daniels, James Spreadbury and Trevor Pipe.

Following on that afternoon Feniton sent three rinks to play at Honiton and were defeated 114-63.

On Sunday a mixed friendly match at home against Axminster gave Honiton another good win of 71-45.

The top rink this time was Ron Taylor, Robert Mackintosh, Carol Armitage and Dave Evans at 28-12.