The Axminster ladies were most unlucky in their Lanes Trophy meeting with Plymouth, writes David Harris.

The ladies went down by a margin of just three shots at 71-68, despite the home rink of Valerie Mellor, Gill Campbell, and Denise Davis winning 18-16. There was also a 15-all draw for the away rink of Philippa White, Ann Burn, and Ann Clayton. All the other rinks, home and away, were close encounters.

In the mixed friendlies that the club contested, two of the three produced wins. A visit from Yeovil VI saw the home side 70-41 with success on all rinks; John Packham, Sue Bond, and Alison Glyde (28-14), Philippa White, David Harris, and Margaret Crompton (25-14), and Brian Cursley, Gerald Knott, and Ann Clayton (17-13).

Madeira were next to visit for what proved a mighty close encounter, one won by the Exmouth team by a margin of just two shots at 61-59.

There were wins on two of the three rinks for home bowlers with the successful ‘fours’ being Reg Crouch, Gerald Knott, Alfie Day, and Margaret Crompton (24-22) and Sue Bond, Les Clark, Neil Solomon, and Brian Clark (21-18).

The third and final friendly match was at home to Ottery, who were beaten 56-32 with success for the hosts on all rinks: Valerie Mellor, Denise Davis, Les Clark and Ann Clayton (23-6), Philippa White, Glenn Elliott, David Harris, and Brian Clark (18-12) and John Davis, Mike Mellor, John Hill, and Margaret Crompton (15-14).

There was a scheduled meeting that did not take place with Donyatt unfortunately unable to raise a side for their mixed friendly at Axminster.