Suddenly it’s half way through the bowling season, and the ratio of matches won and lost is about equal. For the first time this season a match had to be cancelled due to bad weather forecast, with thunder storms being the unpredictable element. Lyme Regis decided that the risk was too great, so they cancelled the match at their lovely ground. We look forward to visiting them later in the season.

Much to the greenkeepers delight, the rain did arrive giving the green a good soaking, but it was playable by Sunday when Cullompton were the visitors. No doubt they would have liked that match to be rained off, as they lost by 81 shots. Dot and Tony Luff, together with Jill Pond, combined to inflict the biggest win for Ottery.

On Friday 13 th June, West End Indoor Bowling Club, visited Ottery as part of their Devon tour. The entire green was full as seven rinks were accommodated, and perhaps too confident from the previous day’s victory, Ottery lost by 9 shots. Gerry and Maggie Beighton, Caroline Perryman and Emma Bradshaw-Smith were Ottery’s top team. As the good weather continues, so the enjoyment of playing bowls in the sunshine never fades.
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In this week’s fixtures, Axminster was the first club to visit Ottery St Mary. This is a club whose home green comprises of outdoor carpet, which for visiting teams does take getting used to.

Similarly when they travel away from home their players have to readjust their game to the immaculate grass found on on most outdoor rinks in Devon. Such was the case on Thursday when they visited Ottery, only to lose by 3 rinks to 1, with the top team of Caroline Perryman, John Ward and Shirley Fewtrell winning by 31 shots to 4. Later reports indicated that Thursday was one of the hottest days of the year, so both teams are to be congratulated in completing a full match of 18 ends.

After the match, iced drinks from the bar sold out very rapidly!

As the sunny weather continued, Ottery made the short trip to Honiton, but the good form of the
previous Thursday could not be maintained. In what turned out to be a very close match, Ottery lost
by 3 rinks to 1 and by a margin of only 8 shots.

On Thursday 29 th May, Pinces Gardens Club from Exeter visited Ottery St Mary Bowling Club.
This this is an annual fixture going back many years. The friendliness of the occasion did not deter
the away team from winning by 71 shots to 52, with Ottery only winning on one rink consisting of
Carol Perry, Anita Hoare and Ron Spedding.

The result was repeated when Ottery visited Crediton, and the winning rink for Ottery on this
occasion was Eric Richardson, Maggie Beighton, Melvin Trayhurn and Jill Pond. Probably one of
the reasons for the defeat was that an England international was playing for the home side. His
record reads like a glittering trophy board having at one time been recognised as number 2 in the
world! After the match one of the Ottery players was heard to say “ He was a bit good!’ He did
not know about his reputation!

Having reported on two losses, it is good to report some successes. Playing in The National Top
Club competition, Ottery Ladies travelled to Sidmouth where they beat the home team by three
disciplines to one, only losing in the foursomes. The next round now beckons and the club wishes
them every success as they progress in this competition.

Finally, sincere congratulations are due to two members, namely Tony Luff and Sue Cole, who
have now earned their County Badges. There are now a good number of members within the club
who have now achieved this honour.

​Sunday 1 st June, was President’s Day, and in accordance with Sharon Kenny’s request, players were
asked to celebrate the club by dressing in the club colours of blue and yellow. As part of the fun,
some of the outfits were bright to the point of being horrendous! A superb meal finished off a great
day of fun, fund raising and laughter!