With the super March weather we have had, bowlers everywhere are looking forward to the Outdoor Greens opening in four weeks but, meanwhile, this has been Indoor Finals weekend at Honiton, writes Tony Broughton.

The ladies’ and gents’ championships were held a week earlier when Julie Grant triumphed over Sue Evans to take the Kitty Cup and the ladies’ championship by 21-17 and Malcolm Seaborne won the Giggs Trophy to become Men’s champion beating Trevor Pipe for the second year running 21-16.

On Saturday morning, Dulcie Broughton played Hannah Morfey in the Harris Singles. Dulcie led throughout by the smallest of margins but Hannah pulled back to 16-15, and a four and two singles then gave her the match.

The Davies Mixed pairs started badly for Margaret Pipe and Gordon Mahoney when they lost seven shots in the first two ends to Yvonne Rayner and Trevor Pipe; Gordon did well to get back within striking distance just two shots down at 14 ends but, eventually, they lost 25-18 to Trevor and Yvonne.

In the afternoon, there were three matches to play. In the junior Chris Binmore Memorial Trophy, Hannah Morfey was once more in action against Scott Eveleigh. The match was going badly for Hannah at 19-9 down but, just as in the morning, she dug in deep to win seven consecutive ends and come out the 21-19 winner.

In the Ladies’ Pairs, Marian Vessey and Carole Binmore played against Jean Mitchell and Julie Grant. After six ends the scores were square at 4-4 all but a five and a four on consecutive ends for Julie and Jean was enough to hold Carole and Marian and win Julie and Jean the trophy 23-13.

The final match of the day was the Mee’s Men’s Pairs with Liam Crawford and Eddie Sharman playing Mike Saunders and Trevor Pipe. Liam and Eddie started well going 6-1 up at four ends then up to 17-8 at 15 ends. Trevor and Mike did well to pull back to 17-15 but eventually lost 24-18.

Sunday morning started off with Mike Dart playing Ian Veitch for the Nex Singles Cup. This was a very competitive match going nip and tuck up until Ian scored a 4 taking him to within 1 of Mike at 15-14. This seeming to unsettle Mike and Ian took the next seven shots to win 21-15.

In the Westbrook Two Wood Pairs, Dave Roberts and Trevor Pipe played Mike Saunders and Sue Evans. This was a close match with all participants playing well. Sue Evans was drawing well but, on the day, Trevor was just that bit better, with him and Dave coming out the 22-14 winners.

After lunch Trevor was once more in action, this time against Eddie Sharman in the Pipes Singles.

Eddie always seemed to be in control of this game, after 14 ends being 17-7 up. Trevor did pull back another five shots but Eddie came out a convincing winner at 21-12.

That man Mike Saunders was also again in action, this time against Shirley Hiscocks in the Heard Two Wood Singles but, as in the previous match, Shirley seemed to control proceedings beating Mike by the same score 21-12.

There was some fabulous play over the weekend but my heart goes out to Mike Saunders who, after making a magnificent effort to get to three finals, came out runner up in them all.