Club finals at Madeira Bowls

The highlight of the Bank Holiday week at Madeira has been the Club Finals, but in this year like no other, even these have proved a challenge to arrange with four matches played last Saturday and the rest to be played in about three weeks time. Nonetheless, it was a lovely late summer’s day for bowlers and spectators to enjoy the exciting games that were played.
Sue Harriott had reached the finals of two ladies singles, both of which she won. She is the 2021 Ladies Champion with her runner-up Gloria Taylor a worthy runner-up. Sue also won the three wood triples against Lin Halpin - the most exciting game, with an unusual scoring system, during which Lin had been ahead throughout the game until they were level at 83, whereon Sue finished it by picking up 10 shots on the next end, the winner being the first to 91.
For the men, David Macaulay played well to win the Ashby Crane Open Singles against Rob Walker and Ian Munro was pleased with his win in the Hunter Cup against Club Chairman, Dave Moody. Ian will also be in action in the second batch of finals.
All appreciated the efforts of Lin Halpin and Chris Reed in organising the event in difficult circumstance and those playing appreciated the work Sue Harriott had put in to prepare the greens, which are playing so well.
The Nora Goldsmith club competition for married couples was played on Saturday 21st August. It was touch and go whether the competition would go ahead due to a heavy rain storm, however by start of play there were blue skies and glorious sunshine for the rest of the day.
Twelve married couples took part in the competition which comprised three games of eight ends against other drawn couples. After the game, tea and delicious homemade cakes were provided while the final scores were being collated.
The winning married couple this year were Nick and Debbie Cole, who won all three of their games for a maximum six points. They were presented with The Nora Goldsmith Trophy by Madeira President of Madeira Keith Weeks.
Leighton Burston was recently presented with his County Badge by the Bowls Devon President when playing for Devon against Dorset at the Dorchester Bowling Club. Like many others, Leighton won his badge two years ago but it is only now that presentations are able to take place.
Devon did well on Leighton’s first outing for the County with a win of 115 shots to 97. Madeira had five players representing Devon, and apart from Leighton, they were: Tony Howle, Ray Parker, Ron Cook and David Macaulay.
Last week, Mary Solway skipped her team of Andy Lock and Roger Williams in the Quarter Finals of the Bowls Devon Burma Star Mixed triples and narrowly lost 14 – 16 to Plymouth SFD. Having been 10 – 1 down early in the game, Mary & Co played an excellent game against a very experienced team and were disappointed by their narrow loss.
Jacky Howle led a 4-rink Madeira team to Topsham for a friendly fixture. The afternoon was very enjoyable but resulted in a home win of 89 shots to 68, each club winning two rinks each. Well done to Topsham. Three of the four games were very close and the best shot difference (plus 5) for Madeira was achieved by Charles Darke and his team of Janet Grundy, Lin Halpin and Mary Ann Dowrick.