Every correspondent likes to report on successes, and I must confess that I am no different. A team from Brixham St Mary made the long trip to Ottery in the third week of July, and one of the teams with “St Mary” in its name lost by 3 shots despite the efforts of Gail Hawke, Mike Watson, Maggie Beighton and Ron Spedding, who were the only rink
to record a win.

The green at Ottery continues to be recognised as being good enough to host County matches, and Devon Ladies chose to play a friendly match against a team from the East Devon Area. The High Tea provided by Sharon Kenny and her catering team after the match was greatly appreciated by all participants.

The weekend of the 27 th July was the day of the annual Redfern Trophy sponsored by Redferns of Ottery St Mary. This is an invitation match open to other teams in the local area, and invitations were accepted by Chardstock, Budleigh, Sidmouth and Lyme Regis. Unfortunately one team who had agreed to send a team, pulled out at the last minute creating much angst for the tournament organisers considering how much work goes into organising these events!!!.

This tournament is played on a round robin basis with each club playing the others, the combined score determining the winners. The Ottery team consisting of Gail Hawke, Bryan Salter, Emma Bradshaw-Smith and Charlie Griffin were declared triumphant, and the trophy was duly presented by Mr Lee Maddicks, Director of Redfern’s Estate Agents.

Ottery St Mary Bowling Club would like to convey their sincere thanks to Redferns for their continued sponsorship of
this auspicious event. As the captain of one of the visiting teams remarked, this is an event that is greatly looked forward to by his club members and there is always a surfeit of members wanting to play. A combination of the quality of the green and the excellence of the High Tea provided by the catering team under the direction of Carol Bennett,
undoubtedly contributed to the enjoyment of the afternoon. Ottery members will soon have to watch their waist lines with all these teas!

Finally, I am pleased to report that a team from Ottery, consisting of Brian Hammond, Grant Hawes and Carl Gilleard, entered an invitation match organised by Budleigh Salterton Bowling Club. Yet another cup, called The Victory Cup, to put into the trophy cabinet, as they won comfortably with only four shots being scored against them

Some lovely photos provided by Gerry Beighton. Looking splendid as usual is Terry House at the recent Section 3 vs Devon Ladies match.

Also, some informal photos of past presidents wearing the 'chain' provided by Terry. Maggie & Gerry Beighton, David Rose and Norman Lawrence 

Congratulations go to the Mens Top Club Team who beat Sidmouth 3 - 2 in the Section 3 Final played last night at Sidmouth.

There were good wins in the 4 wood singles and Triples, the key match was the rink. OSM were 13 - 7 down with 4 ends to go. They then picked up a 5 to change the momentum of the game and go onto to the narrowest of wins to ultimately win the fixture overall. Terry House, Tony Luff, Dave Brown and Ray Luscombe are shy, modest men and would prefer to be anonymous ! However they did ask me to tell everyone they were in the winning rink.

OSM will now go "out of section" and play a team from the Plymouth area at the start of August in the quarter finals of Devon Top Club competition.

Thanks also go the OSMBC travelling supporters who flooded the terraces and supported the team.

ALSO, Congratulations go to Eileen Burston who collected her County Badge at Tiverton in an inter section County match yesterday. Well done Eileen! Sharon and Gail joined Eileen in the match. With Sharon on the highest scoring rink whilst Gail skipped on another rink and picked up a HOTSHOT.

Not a bad Thursday at all.