Clive summarises the 2026 season

After a seemingly endless and wet winter, the bowling season recommenced towards the end of April with the now traditional opening drive, followed by high tea. From that time, matches have been arranged so quickly, that there seemed to be little time for breath!

New players received their training, and many of them are now proudly wearing the blue and gold of the club, and playing in friendly matches.

The annual president’s day was held mid June, just before the halfway point of the year, and everyone adhered to the President’s request to dress either in blue or yellow. Some of the outfits beggared belief! A splendid two course meal was enjoyed by all to finish off the afternoon. After the early season rains, most matches have been played in brilliant warm sunshine, with special care being paid to hats, suncream and water available at every occasion. Only one match had to be cancelled due to possible heat stroke, and it will be recorded as “sun stopped play!”

As I write, the regional hose pipe ban has been imposed, and the green keeper is looking back wistfully at the wet days from earlier in the year. It will not be long before the green is renamed “the Brown” due to club green keeper, Dave Brown who works tirelessly to provide a wonderful surface which is good enough to allow inter county matches to be played on it, in addition to all the regular matches.

The results from various regional competitions have been most encouraging with both men’s and women’s sections excelling themselves, making 2026 the best season ever for Ottery. The Ottery ladies reached 3 section finals in different disciplines, and in one competition, an Ottery pairing reached a quarter final. Bowls being a game where men and women play on a level playing field, the mixed triples teams reached two area finals, and are playing a quarter final later in August.

The men’s section has seen a resounding success with 7 area finals being reached and 4 teams progressing even further in their competition.

One of the most anticipated matches of every season is an invitational event sponsored by Redfern Estate Agents, where six local teams are invited to compete in a round robin tournament for the trophy named after the sponsors. Ottery were found to be the winners with a decisive score, and so the highly prized trophy remains in the club house. There is also a regional mixed league with matches played on a Monday evening, and at the time of writing, Ottery were in second place by one point with one match to play.

Playing Bowls for one’s home county is a great achievement, and this privilege is not conferred lightly as a rigorous assessment takes place. This year four Ottery members have received their County Badges and a fifth will receive hers next year

One of the most pleasing pieces of news this year has been the promotion of Gail Hawke to be Bowls Devon Ladies President in 2027. Gail joined Ottery over 15 years ago, and has probably done every job within the club, including the arduous jobs of club captain and secretary. I don’t think she has been seen cutting the grass, but that may come!

She is a level 2 coach and has the amazing gift of being able to encourage both old and new bowlers. She started the Saturday morning coaching sessions for young people aged between 10 and 15, and this has been a great success. When her duties permit, she can often be seen either in the club kitchen preparing a meal, or in the clubhouse organising a social event. Gail is greatly liked and highly respected within the club and also within the wider area of Bowls Devon.
When playing bowls she is extremely competitive, as well as being difficult to beat. The club is delighted that she has been recognised in this role, it brings great honour to her for her dedication, and great esteem to the club.

As we now enter the last weeks of the season, there are still friendly matches to be played against touring teams, other local clubs, and internal and external competitions to be completed. That is in addition to the latter stages of area competitions. It would now appear that when competition draws are made, most clubs would rather not be drawn against Ottery!

To conclude, and in the words of the men’s captain “It’s been a great year, and we look forward to placing more cups in the trophy cabinet next year!”