After a thrilling last ditch effort, the men lost the final of the Charles Parrott Shield to Torquay United by just two shots.

After a thrilling last ditch effort, the men lost the final of the Charles Parrott Shield to Torquay United by just two shots.

Chris Maynard, Bernard Tonkin, Ian Veitch and Kevin Lovering all played well and maintained a somewhat narrow, but useful, seven shot lead throughout.

The Ken Clarke, Dave Roberts, Malcolm Seaborne and Eddie Sharman rink struggled against an on form quartet. At 17 ends they were 8-23 down but made a valiant effort in the last 4 ends with a 1, 3, 2 and 2 to finish 16-23 and level the match at 35 all.

Kevin's rink dropped a single on the 20th end. Honiton held shot on the last end, but the Torquay number two managed to rest it out to lay shot himself. Ian's first bowl hit the jack but only locked it into the Torquay bowl. His last bowl and Kevin's two needed to move the jack out again to make two to win. A difficult shot to play under pressure and both failed, but they did win the rink at 19-14.

This is the second year running that Honiton have been runners-up in this competition. Maybe next year?

l The last final outstanding was the Davis Pairs between Thelma Flynn and Mike Sellick and Gareth Mettam and Sue Evans who came out the winners by five shots.

l The ladies finished their season on a high by having two fantastic away results.

First beating Budleigh 50-28, the top rink was Corinne Galinski, Jenny Wilde, Ann Brown and skip Marian Vessey at 27-12, then a super 67-37 win against Madeira.

Top rink that day was Rosemary Hirons, Beryl Walters, Pat Whitworth and skip Julie Grant with 28-8.

Saturday was the last day of the Indoor season and Honiton played a side from Dawlish. This was a two shot victory with top rink being Dave Tooley, George Hoare, Eddie Sharman and Shirley Hiscocks.

This was followed in the evening with the presentation of the Indoor Trophies and an American supper. This is the first time trophies have been presented at the end of the season; they are usually done at the annual dinner in the autumn. This is an effort to save time and was a great success

l Sunday was a beautiful, sunny day for the start of the outdoor season. Doug Hirons, the club president opened the green with the traditional first bowl of the season.

This was followed by a Spider Competition. All players stand around the edge of the green and, on command, roll their bowls towards a jack in the centre. Closest to it, after all the banging about, is winner. This year it was Tony Trembeth who picked up the whisky.

There followed a 16 end roll up between 16 rinks of players, a great start to the season, let's hope this weather continues.

l First friendlies of the outdoor season have been played.

The first, home to Chardstock, was a loss by 73-83, the second, away to Victoria at Torquay, was a win of 74-64.