Clive's Final Report

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“This season has been a very good one” is now being widely said around the club
A season that started way back on Easter Sunday and ran throughout the summer until the final drive held on the weekend of the 25th. During that time over 50 friendly matches have been scheduled to be played, although the intense heat in mid-summer played havoc with the fixture list. Several matches were also cancelled as a mark of respect for the late Queen.
In addition, the club has entered a total of six teams in the men’s area Over 60’s League and the ladies Over 50’s league. The East of Exe League also featured heavily in our fixture list, a league that Ottery won comprehensively by winning all matches.

As I have previously mentioned, four of our ladies became Devon County Champions in the two woods competition, and therefore represented the County at the National Finals at Leamington. Finally, the annual Redfern Trophy, which is an inter club, regional competition, was played, and for the first time ever, Ottery succeeded in attaining the
first three places.

It has been a real pleasure during the year to welcome several touring teams to the club in Strawberry Lane, one of whom has been paying us a visit every year since the inception of the club. Full credit must go to our Fixtures
Secretary, Steve Hall, who despite a computer malfunction, succeeded in making sure that there were sufficient players available to fulfil all the fixtures.

A traditional afternoon tea has usually been provided by the club, and the catering team led by Sharon Kenny together with Events Co-ordinator Carol Bennett, have excelled themselves in providing a sumptuous tea for the visitors.

Internal club competitions have been played throughout the season and all have now been completed (see separate report under the 2022 results tab). the winners will be receiving their trophies at the annual dinner held later in the year.

Two new trophies (see above pictures) have been donated to the club, and these have been given in memory of relatives who have played for the club. Firstly, there was the Maureen Phillips Cup which is a two woods ladies competition and was won by Sandra Brockington. The other cup is the Pete Knight Cup, which was won by Leighton Burston in the men’s two woods competition. It was a real joy to recently welcome to the club family members of each individual to present the trophies to the club. It is interesting to note that three of the four Devon Champions mentioned above were coached in the early days by Maureen Phillips.

New players, both ladies and men, have joined the club and having received initial instruction from one of our qualified coaches, are now proudly wearing the royal blue and gold club shirts, and representing the club in
friendly matches. It is to be hoped that some of the new members will, in years to come, be representing The County at National level.

And so the season closes, the green has been shut down and is being repaired and cultivated for another busy season. The changing rooms have been cleared of all the mislaid kit, and the outside equipment has been put away
until next year. The whites have been washed and ironed and hung up in the wardrobe, only to shrink during the winter lay-off! This season has definitely been a very successful one for the club, but success on the green is
always superseded by laughter and banter, much needed exercise in the open air, quality companionship and friendly competition.

What else is there to wish for?

Season 2023 will start on 16 th April, and it is hoped that a “Come and try out the game session” will be specially arranged early in the season for anyone who would like to give the game a try.