Recent weeks have not been over productive for the Budleigh Ladies in the Exeter and District Over-50s Triples League, so a successful visit to Okehampton this week was just what was required, as the team returned with an overall win, writes David Roberts.

Ann Vincent, Bunty Hudson and Mo Bond won well at 23-12, whilst Ann Goddard, Hilary Medley and skip Di Dixon lost on their rink 14-18, but they did enough to help secure an overall 37-30 win that saw the team bank four valuable points in a league that has been very competitive.

The men played two Exeter and District Over-60s Triples League matches.

Away to Feniton, where there was an overall loss by 11 and no points, the best of the rinks was that of Brian Ward, Peter Cooper and Paul Griffin, who were close to a rink win, but just missed out by three shots!

At home against Belmont, a game in which the team needed points, they got them, albeit in nail-biting fashion, winning 32-31 thanks to the rink of Tony Barnes, Peter Hillman and skip Andrew Cardy, who scored the vital one shot on the last end to register six points and keep the team in a mid-table position.

With only three matches left, it’s Ottery away in their next match.

The club entertained touring side Loughborough Greenfields Bowling Club and came up against a strong side, and, whilst there were wins on two home rinks, there was a convincing 99-67 overall victory for the visitors.

Gwen Hurst, Hilary Medley, Peter Hillman and Mo Bond took an early lead and won through 23-12, whilst Anne Goddard, Ann Vincent, Brian Ward and skip Ralph Cartwright finished strongly, scoring 11 shots on the last six ends to win 23-14.

As the internal competitions progress, Andrew Cardy has won through to the semi-finals of the Championship Handicap and also in the two-wood singles.

Brian Summers has now reached the Championship final, whilst Bryan Membery has booked his semi-final berth in the Handicap competition.

In forthcoming fixtures, the club visits Topsham in a mixed friendly, the ladies play Pinces Gardens in the Over-50s League, whilst a men’s rink will take part in the Maderia Coronation Cup.