The first half of the indoor bowling season seems to have raced by, and with Christmas coming, things are quietening down. However, Madeira have enjoyed a successful couple of weeks. 

The men’s representative team played Sidmouth in the last Over 60s league match of 2022, winning on all four rinks with a total score of 97 shots to 55. The best rink was that of Colin Hughes, Graham Cottey, Graham Clarkson and skip Bill Davis, who achieved an impressive plus 16. 

The Interclub match the weekend before was sadly cancelled due to a Sidmouth player being taken ill on the rink. Madeira’s unbadged men last week played the Charles Parrott competition on Saturday and that will conclude the men’s representative games for this year. 

The Ladies section has also ended 2022 with an exciting and positive outcome. Madeira A played Sidmouth in the one-rink-at- home and one-away national Mason Trophy. Each club won their home games, resulting in a draw, but Madeira were delighted to win the extra end to decide the outcome. Their next game is against Honiton A on January 20. 

There has also been success in friendly fixtures, all of which have been at home. Two teams of ladies triples came from Budleigh Salterton for a game in which each club won one game but Madeira were pleased with their overall win of 43 shots to 21. The best shot difference of the day (plus 17) was achieved by Penny Preece and her team of Margaret Mahon and Joan Cowing. 

There followed two mixed fixtures against Sidmouth and Bridport. In the first game, Madeira won two of the three games and overall by 63 shots to 40. Jean Rainton skipped the team with the best shot difference of plus 18 and she was backed up by her team of G McCarthy, Ann Maloney and, David Mansell.  

It was a similar result against Bridport with Madeira winning two of the three games and overall by a much closer score of 53 shots to 47. Vic Doidge and his team of Jean Rainton, Annette Bister and Graham Ellis helped secure the win for the home team with their 22 shots to 11 victory.