Honiton Bowls Club

Sue Evans, accompanied by Hannah Morfey, 16, and veteran bowler Joan Heard won the County Benevolent Triples title.

Playing Friday in the last eight under scorching heat, they first beat Joan Martin’s side from Crediton and then Nan Peter’s side from South Molton.

On Sunday they travelled to the Presidents green at Sir Francis Drake, Plymouth. In the semi-final they beat ex-England International, Wendy Barnard’s side from Brixham and, in the final, met Kay Page’s side from the home club. With two ends to play and 13 shots down, Kay conceded.

This is a wonderful achievement for Hannah who entered County competition for the first time this year and also for the club. I think I am right in saying this is the first time this title has come to Honiton, well done to you all.

The club’s other team of Rita Barwick, Dulcie Broughton and Shirley Hiscocks were unfortunate to lose in the first round. Five shots up, with two ends to play, they looked safe but a dropped four and then a three lost them the game against another Crediton side by two shots.

Some good news for Shirley Hiscocks though, playing off for a place in the Officers’ Competition finals, she first beat clubmate Rita Barwick then Budleigh’s Maggie Dance in the section three final, and now goes to Finals Day.

A big cheer for Terry Watson who reached the section final of a very competitive Men’s County Under-40s Singles.

Unfortunately he came up against one of Devon’s brightest young stars, Josh Hadfield of Madeira in the final, and came second. Nevertheless, it was a great effort from one of Honiton’s young men.

The ladies’ campaign in the Grace Matthews Top Club competition came to an end a week ago against the very strong Plymouth Sir Francis Drake side which they met at the neutral Chudleigh green.

Rosemary Hirons finished first with a good win in the two wood against Barbara Kennard. Yvonne Rayner and Shirley Hiscocks were very unlucky to lose by one shot to Jean Cornwell and Kay Page in the pairs and also Rita Barwick, Brenda Harris and Ann Hillyear were equally unlucky to lose by five shots to Lyn Pice, May Burt and Audrey Pridham in the triples.

Hannah Morfey, Dulcie Broughton, Joan Heard and Sue Evans did well to fight off a late challenge by Shirley Comer, Yvonne Greener, Jean Sampson and Margaret Davidson in the fours and come out good nine shot winners.

With the match all square all eyes fell onto Carole Binmore, playing Hillary Avent for the four wood singles slot.

Carole was at this stage standing at 19-17 up but Hilary played extremely well to win two shots. She took advantage of a long jack on a difficult rink to get two singles to beat Carole 19-21.

The Men’s Over-60s is finished this year with wins for the A and C sides. The A side will stay in Division 4, and the C’s win put them joint with Uffculme on 90pts. Honiton, with a shot difference of plus 148, go second and so next year will be in Division 1.

The B side, with one match to play, must win to stand any chance of remaining in Division 3.