The Honiton Bowls Club opened its Green for the first game of the new outdoor season this Sunday, with Doug Hirons casting the first bowl of the season. In typical fashion this finished just inches from the jack. To show it wasn’t a fluke he did it again, writes Tony Broughton.

Fifty two players, including six new members took part in a friendly roll-up.

This year’s men’s captain Tony Broughton and ladies’ captain Anne Newman, were there to welcome everyone and congratulated the new green keeper, Trevor Pipe, for getting the green looking and playing so well and Tony Tooley, property manager, and his merry band of helpers for getting the premises and green surrounds into pristine condition ready for the new season.

The Honiton youth section have been showing off their indoors bowling skills again this week.

Billy Goodier and Liam Crawford made it through the county section of the English Bowls Youth Development Scheme (EBYDS) under-15s, played at Isca earlier in the year. Liam was the Devon winner and Billy made it through on points. They both then went through to the regional finals that brought the top young players from Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset together and was held at Plymouth this week.

They both played three singles games, Liam won all three, 12-1, 13-2 and 8-1. Billy won one and lost two. Liam came top of the group on shot difference.

After lunch they had to take part in a special skills event. Liam, once more, came out as top player, but unfortunately Bill did not make it through, but we congratulate him for a magnificent effort.

Liam then played two further singles games winning them both at 8-1 and 7-5 making him the South West Regional champion.

This now entitles him to represent the South West of England in the National School of Excellence 2012 finals to be held at Melton Mowbray on October 28.

We wish him the very best of luck, let’s hope he comes home the All-England winner.