Axminster bowlers have won their three mixed friendlies and suffered narrow defeats in their two County League matches over the festive period, writes David Harris.

The first of the friendlies produced a 67-57 home win over Sidmouth.

There was a 29-17 victory for the rink of Malcolm Denslow, James Windsor, David Harris, and Roger Legg while the other two rinks; Brian Downton, Mike Hennegan, Nigel Bond, and Alfie Day and Brian Cursley together with Glen Elliott, Neil Solomon and Derek Pheby were both unlucky to lose by just one shot!

The next outing produced a win of 84-52 at Bridport where there were Axminster wins on all rinks: John Ellis, Marion Harris, Malcolm Denslow, and John Hill (24-12), Pam Hunter, Gerald Knott, Neil Solomon, and Derek Pheby (24-16), Brian Cursley, Nigel Bond, Jean Kesterton, and George Mabon (19-11) and Sue Bond, Andy Curtis, David Harris, and Brian Clark (17-13).

A visit to Axminster by Nomads saw the home side enjoy an emphatic 80-37 success and once again there were wins on all rinks: Phil White, Andy Curtis, George Mabon, and Alfie Day (30-12), Steven Apsey, David Harris, Ann Clayton, and Brian Clark (28-12), and Sue Bond, Nigel Bond, Jean Kesterton, and Margaret Crompton (22-13).

In the County matches, Axminster ladies were unlucky to lose their Lane meeting with Isca by a single shot, 66-65. Both home rinks enjoyed success; Phil White, Sue Bond, and Ann Clayton (21-13) and Barbara Mowatt, Sue Rowe, and Jean Kesterton (19-9).

On the same day the men lost their County Over 60’s match with Honiton by just three shots with their only winners being the away rink of Malcolm Denslow, David Harris, Don Meylan, and John Gough (25-11).

There was one other fixture played during the period with the ladies beaten 67-52 in a friendly at Sidmouth despite the great efforts of Brenda Edwards, Gill Campbell, Alison Glyde, and Margaret Crompton (29-11).