Captain’s Day at Madeira Bowls

The main event of the week at Madeira BC was Captain’s Day last Friday. There was a gentle breeze and warm sunshine when 48 players turned out to celebrate Brian Poulter’s year as Captain.
The drive format allowed six full rinks to be played with plenty of opportunity for fun and socialising and also a chance to support the Captain’s charity, Hospiscare Exmouth.
Anyone who missed the event, and wishes to make a donation is encouraged to contact Brian at any time. Those playing appreciated the tea with exceedingly good cakes laid on by Captain Brian and it was an opportunity for them to express their thanks for all his hard work in this very unusual season. However, there was a serious and competitive side to the day, as teams fought for the prize of 4 bottles of wine. The successful team was skipped by Liz Healy with David Mansell, Joan Brinkworth and Graham Ellis.
All Madeira members were delighted to hear this week that one of their most senior bowlers, Vic Doidge (85, but don’t tell anyone!) had gained enough points for his County Badge.
He reached the magic number of points playing with Kevin McLean in the Q/F of the Grater Pairs at Ottery St Mary, which they won with a score of 20-19 and a measure on the last end.
Vic said: “I have had many very happy times at Madeira as Captain in 2006 and great Club Tours to Cornwall and The Cotswolds to name but a few. It just goes to prove what a very ordinary Bowler can do with dedication and a lot of luck.”
Four Madeira men played against each other in the final rounds of the Section 3 Men’s Over 60s Singles. Leighton Burston did well to win through to the last eight of this competition by beating first Andy Lock and then Cliff Skinner. Well done to them and Martyn Eveleigh for reaching this stage of the competition and good luck to Leighton in the final rounds in August.
Madeira men are still going strong in the County Top Club. They had a three-disciplines-to-two win against Ottery St Mary on Thursday and are now through to the Section Final against Seaton this week.
For the ladies still in County Competitions, Jan Roberts and Janine Orchard have reached the Section Final of the Over 55 Pairs, this round to be played by August 19, and Lin Halpin, as Section 3A finalist in the Major Two Wood singles, will be playing in the last 16 at Culm Vale on August 8.
Good luck to them all.