Axminster bowlers enjoyed considerable success in the early rounds of the national knock-out competitions, writes David Harris.

Joan Quick, Phil White, and Ann Clayton started by beating the Moonfleet (Weymouth) trio very comfortably.

Next, James Windsor did very well in his first national match to beat Oliver Kemp (Yeovil) in the Under-18 competition - in the same event Steven Apsey had a walkover in the first round before losing to Barry Patterson (Yeovil) who is a renowned international player.

Steven was also narrowly knocked out of the national Under-25 competition, beaten by Brandon King (Moonfleet), losing on the last wood of the match when holding three shots - a game played to a very high standard!

In the Over-60 Devon League, Axminster men lost narrowly against Isca (73-81) despite the great efforts of Roger Legg, Chris Elmore, Peter Eagles, and Paul Moffitt (30-14).

The ladies also lost narrowly in their Lanes League game against Honiton (62-72). There was, however, success for the home rink of Jo Barnish, Brenda Edwards, and Margaret Crompton (26-14) and the away rink of Phil White, Margaret Brown, and Ann Clayton (20-10).

In friendly games the ladies lost at Budleigh (22-33) with Joan Quick, Phil White, and Ann Clayton managing a tie (13-13).

In the only mixed friendly played visiting Severals were beaten 64-43, with wins for Malcolm Denslow, Margaret Brown, David Harris, and Margaret Crompton (28-12) and Morrison Brown, Gerald Knott, Ann Clayton, and Derek Pheby (23-9).