The busy Madeira season continued last week with mixed results for the club’s representative teams, writes Jenny Smith.

The ladies of Madeira B were disappointed to lose their Grace Matthews Top Club round against Sidmouth by three disciplines to two.

There were some strong performances and close games, with Lin Halpin achieving a decisive win in the two-wood singles, and the triples, skipped by Jenny Smith, playing with Fay Hughes and Maureen Willis were in a winning position going into the last end when Madeira conceded. Sidmouth now play Madeira A in the next round.

Meanwhile, it’s been a case of ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ for the men! Madeira men played at Seaton in the county trophy, winning on three of the four rinks and overall. The top rink was skipped by Josh Hadfield playing with Andy Lock, Noel Pond and Ian Thomson.

On Thursday, the EDL team visited Okehampton and lost 74-62 with the lone winning rink being that of C Reed, M Norman, M Langford and B Walker.

On the same night, the county double rink played Chardstock at home and away.

On this occasion they lost at Chardstock, but the home rink, skipped by Bill Davis playing with Martin Eveleigh, Terry Reardon and Jim Wherlock, won by a sufficient margin to give Madeira an overall win.

On Friday, Madeira played at Exonia in the national double rink, but on this occasion they lost.

There have been some good performances in County Competitions.

For the ladies, Jean Rainton has won her way through three rounds to the last 16 of the Two Wood Singles, which will be played at Paignton on July 1.

The two Deirdres (Williams and Norman) led all the way against Sidmouth to win their first round of the Over-55 Pairs.

Nicky Fiddimore and Jenny Smith were knocked out in their second round of the same competition against Seaton by just half-an-inch with the final score being 22-23!

Ken Roberts and Cliff Skinner won through to the last eight of the Grater Pairs by beating fellow club members Alan Halpin and Ian Thomson in the Section Final at Ottery St Mary.

Their next opponents will be North Devon on the challenger’s green. Also through to the last eight of the County Senior Over-55 Fours are Colin Hughes, Mike Marks, Ken Roberts and Jim Wherlock, who beat Sidmouth 21-19 in Section Final played at Sidmouth. They now play at Kings BC Torquay on Sunday, July 8.

? The past week saw three much-enjoyed friendly games played by Madeira bowlers.

Crediton came to Madeira for a six mixed rinks fixture.

It’s always swings and roundabouts against Crediton, but on this occasion Madeira won five rinks and overall by 141 shots to 114.

Ladies’ vice captain Mary Solway skipped her team of Carol Hyett, Sue Lampey and Vice Doidge to the home team’s best shot difference of plus 11.

After a lapse of a few years, Madeira ladies were pleased once again to see a triples game against Torquay Kings reinstated in the fixture list.

Kings were helpful in offering Kelly Atkinson (who is also playing in the next Johns Trophy) to make up the team when one Madeira player dropped out at short notice and in the event Madeira did well to win two of the three games and overall by 60 shots to 43. Jacky Howle playing with Myra Furminger and Fay Hughes skipped the best performing triples team with a plus 12 shot difference. Ottery St Mary brought six mixed rinks to Madeira on Sunday for the closest of games.

Each club won three rinks so captain Dave Moody was pleased with an overall win for the home team of 118 shots to 104.

Carole Worth and her team of Gordon Medlock, Gloria Taylor and Terry Dowrick helped considerably to achieve this with their plus 19 shot difference.

? Away from what have been busy greens at the club, Madeira sponsor, financial advisor Ian Crook, visited the club recently to present a cheque to our president Jacky Howle.

Ian is getting increasingly involved in the life of the club and his decision to continue his sponsorship is greatly valued and appreciated.

Last year his support enabled the club to install a new water heating system, which does away for the need to test for legionnaires disease and saves Madeira over £1,000 a year.