On a fine, sunny bank holiday Monday, the annual Carnival Drive, to raise money for Seaton Carnival, was played over four rinks by eight teams, all from Seaton Bowls Club, writes Alan Nicholas.

This is traditionally played in a fun manner, with the participants dressed in colourful clothing to create a carnival atmosphere.

The competition is played over two nine-end sessions, separated by a refreshments break. At this point the cards are checked and each team is given a different opponent to attempt to even out the scores.

On completion, the scores of each team are added together to obtain a plus or minus total.

The team with the highest plus score wins the trophy. This year that was the team of David Ford, Martyn Witt, Carol Armitage and Di Morley.

The trophy was presented by the ‘royal’ party of Carnival Princesses, Abbie Thomas and Lucy Burrows, with Carnival Prince Ajay Welsh. A great day was had by all.

? The Seaton ladies’ Over-50s Triples League Red team travelled to Morchard Bishop, where they won one triple, but lost the other.

However, Seaton took the match by the smallest of margins – a single shot – winning 25-24! The top triple was the one of Margaret Nicholas, Ruby Grigg and Lin Allison, who won their encounter 15-9.

A friendly at Phear Park saw honours even on rinks at 2-2, but Seaton win overall, 70-56. The top triple for Seaton in this otherwise tight match was Chris Anton, Esdre Keller and Don Yaxley, with a score of 20 shots to 9. The Seaton men’s Over-60s Triples League teams were also in action. The A team entertained Crediton A and they secured a very good result with one of the triples drawn and the other won. This all led to an overall Seaton win of 35-30 and the seven points they banked from the match means that the team will line up in the same division next season.

The top triple for Seaton was the one of Dennis Ridd, Don Yaxley and Roger Woolland.

The B team were also at home for their final match, taking on third placed Exonia B.

They served up a fine all-round performance to win the contest 48-30 and bank all eight points, a result that ensured the team secured promotion to Division Two. The top Seaton triple was the one of Ed Backhouse, Bob Scull and Dave Yardley, with an excellent score of 26-16.

The ladies’ Over-50s Triple League Blue team played their final match of the season away at Ottery St Mary where they won on both triples and took the overall match honours to the tune of a 52-28 score line. The six points their efforts got them means that the Blue team finish third in the league. The top Seaton triple was the one of Esdre Keller, Carol Armitage and Di Morley, scoring 28 shots to 13.

Last, but not least in terms of the league action, there was also a good win in the East of Exe Mixed League against Chardstock, and that fixture completed another campaign for this Seaton team.

? Seaton entertained touring side Cogenhoe from Northampton and had the green all set up for a seven rink contest.

This proved to be quite a tight and entertaining match, with the home team just taking the result by four rinks to three and with a total shots score of 122-112.

The top rink for Seaton was the one of Mat Tyne, Debra White, Bob Scull and Pat Whitworth.

At the half-way point, Seaton’s club catering team provided a most welcoming Devonshire cream tea, with scones baked in the club kitchen earlier that day.

Saturday saw 46 members of our club playing a rinks tournament, which included many of our new members.

Each team played three games over eight ends, with lunch provided, again by our club catering team, between the second and third games.

This proved to be a day of excellent atmosphere and the novices played really well and made many new friends.

Two of the teams won all three of their games, which required the result to be settled on shot difference. This was the team of Lisa Tyne, Ian Manchester, Ken Taylor and Phil Crichard. The day raised a sum of £245, which will be used towards club refurbishment and maintenance.

Finally, on Sunday, the annual Perham Shield was played for, between six teams from Seaton against teams from other local clubs.

On this occasion the result went to Seaton, who took first and second places.

The winning Seaton team comprised Ruby Grigg, Bob Scull, Lilian Hurley-Smith and Richard Whitworth with plus 16, and the runners-up, with plus 12, were Liz Wilde, Graham Thomas, Don Yaxley and Di Morley.