After the fun and excitement enjoyed by many club members at Presidents Day, the normal timetable of matches consisting of friendlies, internal competitions and regional matches have take over during the last two weeks.

The first visitors to visit The Bowling Club in Strawberry Lane was Lyme Regis, who returned home having been heavily beaten. As the losing captain often says in circumstances like that “the result is immaterial, it’s the game that matters”

The ladies of the club then started a series of matches where they excelled themselves. Firstly the dynamic duo of Gail Hawke and Sharon Kenny won the section match of The County Pairs and they are now through to the last 16 in the County Finals. This triumph was swiftly followed up by a victory in the Ladies County Triples, but as two Ottery Teams had been drawn together, it is hardly surprising that one of them was the winner. In this instance the winning trio comprised Marion Kelsey, Sue Cole and Sandra Brockington. We wish all the ladies every  success as they proceed in their competitions.

On Saturday 17th June, a team was sent away to Chardstock, who always try and play their home matches when the cricket team has an away match, in order to alleviate parking problems. Chardstock welcomed The Ottery team very warmly, which even extended to allowing Ottery to scrape home by one shot. Someone was heard to say “It’s not the result that matters….”. In this instance, the top team comprised Dot Luff, Gerry Beighton, Melvin Trayhurn and skip, Ryan Seers.

Sometimes the draw in the internal competitions throw up some unusual matches, and such was the case this year, when in the men’s three woods singles tournament, Gerry Beighton was drawn against Ryan Seers. A mere difference of 66 years in ages did not prevent Gerry (with his new bionic bowl assistant) from beating Ryan by a couple of shots on the last end. Ryan was magnanimous in his congratulations to Gerry, wishing him well as he proceeds in this
competition

To repeat a phrase “It’s the game that matters”, and as can be seen, age is no barrier to the playing of a game. It is also so good to see players who have only taken up the game this year.
already taking part in friendly matches and not letting their team down.

Suddenly it is June, and for the Bowling Club that can only mean one thing - Presidents Day.

This is an afternoon hosted by club president, Terry House, to bring the whole club together, play bowls and then enjoy a meal together. It is also a golden opportunity for The President to publicly thank all those club members who give so freely of their time and energy in assisting with the smooth running of the club, ensuring that it is a welcoming and well cared for place for anyone to be.

After his initial speech, the traditional spider was played for, which involves all players bowling together at a target set out in the middle of the green.. A bottle of Whisky was the prize and was duly won by Sue Thomas, which created a slight problem - she doesn’t drink Whisky, but the delight could be seen on her husband’s face!

The players were then divided into two teams - The President’s Team and The Chairman's Team as is usual on such occasions. At the end of the afternoon, it was The Chairperson’s Team that came out the winners, thereby ensuring a
year's bragging rights for Chairperson, Sharon Kenny. The top team of the afternoon consisted of David Rose, Gerry Brighton, Moira Griffin and Ryan(fireman) Seers. It was so good to see members who have only been playing the game since April taking their full part in the afternoon’s activities, and not letting their team down.

After the games were completed, the catering team really pulled out the stops to provide a barbecue and salad supper, with a choice of puddings for afters. The fine weather definitely played a part in ensuring that the whole afternoon was a great success, despite the failure of the Red Arrows who were due to fly in around supper time. Not even The President on his own special day, could arrange for that to happen!