The East Devon Short Mat Bowls League annual Two Pair/ Fours competition was held at Cloakham Lawns, writes Caroline Pavey.

With no fewer than 36 pairs involved it made for a busty day of bowling and there was no shortage of skill on show!

With nine groups of four playing on a round robin basis, the winners from each group and seven runner up’s went into the next round.

Colyton Colywobbles gained a win over Cerne Abbas Stretch and Braces, Colyton Peglegs lost out to Upottery City Farmers, Winkliegh Blues Bros were beaten by Wonford’s John Parnell, Colyton’s Bridget Hallowes gained victory over Beer’s SAS, Upottery’s Lion Bar lost out to Hadspen, Colyton’s Brab Hallowes won after a very tight affair against West Hill Canaries, Oddcombe Blues gained the win over Nomads Young Ones Too and finally Uffculme’s Golden Boys lost out on a extra end to Nomad’s Young Ones.

The quarter-finals saw Oddcombe Blues (Dave and Jackie Collins), edge out Nomad Young Ones (Sue and Ray Young) after an extra end.

Hadspen (Sue Smith and partner) lost out to Colyton’s Brab Hallowes and his partner Andy Thompson whilst Colyton’s Bridget Hallowes and partner lost out to Wonford’s John Parnell and Pam Toleman. The last of the quarter finals saw Upottery’s City Farmers, Robert Bartlett and David Hayler edge out Colyton’s Colywobbles (Ken Spiller and Peter Morgan).

The semi-final saw Odcombe Blues see off Colyton’s Brab and Andy while Upottery’s City Farmers did the same to the Wonford team.

The final saw Odcombe Blues take the first end but the City Farmers stormed back to win the next five ends and they went on to claim a fine success.

The competition two pair /fours is a mathematical exercise where pairs are linked with another pair usually from the same club, the points won by each pair through the whole competition are added together, this was won by Upottery’s City Farmers and Upottery’s Lion Bar.

The trophies and shield were presented by the competition organiser Caroline Pavey.