It’s been an eventful week at Madeira with good news on and off the greens.
Fellow members at Madeira were delighted to hear that sisters Sue Harriott and Nicky Fiddemore, hving reached the last 16 in Bowls Devon Major Ladies Pairs, have this week played their way to a place in the National Finals at Leamington Spa, winning against Bitton Park, United Services and finally in the Semi-final against Plymstock at Exonia on Friday evening.
Sue and Nicky will also play in the Devon Final on August 20 at Bitton Park against Torquay Kings. Good luck to them all.
Andy Lock and Ron Cook played in the last 16 of the Bowls Devon two-wood singles competitions. Playing at Madeira and Exonia respectively, Andy won his first match against Mark Fisher of Starcross but came second to James Hampton of Topsham by a narrow 15 shots to 12 margin in the quarter-final, and Ron was disappointed to lose in the S/Q round against, Lee Hayward who proceeded to reach win the Group A final. James Hampton went on to play Sam Tolchard in the Group B final, which Sam won by 15 shots to 10.
The men’s representative team is still doing well in the Top Club. They won against Axminster by 4 disciplines to 1 for a place in the next round against Ottery St Mary. They put in a strong performance against Ottery St Mary winning all 5 disciplines and will be playing Feniton at home this week in the Section 3 final.
Madeira’s second team in the Tony Allcock double rink mixed fours narrowly lost to Topsham by 33 shots to 39 – ironically the other Madeira team playing in this competition also lost to Topsham by a similar margin.
The annual Pomeroy Trophy Competition where other Clubs are invited to play Madeira ladies was played on Tuesday. Captain of the Day, Dee Williams had some concerns about the heat as she welcomed teams from Budleigh Salterton, Exonia, Honiton, Phear Park and Sidmouth but there was just enough cloud cover to be comfortable.
The competition is played in drive format interspersed with a cream tea and was a great success. It was good to be able to use local produce with clotted cream from Exmouth Market, and freshly baked Chudleys from the Crusty Cob. Together with the finest strawberry jam the only question to be heard was not “Is it jam, or cream first?” but “Can I manage another?”
At the end of the match, while Dee Williams with the help of Lin Halpin went through the cards to determine the winners, other players enjoyed a cool drink. It proved to be a very close competition, with just one-shot separating Honiton and Sidmouth! Congratulations to Sidmouth who won with plus 17 and whose prizes were hand-painted tiles from a local artist.
Wednesday saw a visit from Exmouth in Bloom to judge Madeira’s wonderful garden. (The previous week Joy Penberthy, who oversees the garden, had played host to a member of the RHS.) Expecting just one or two members from Exmouth in Bloom to come along to judge, Joy was surprised to see eight members arrive. She was even more surprised – and thrilled – to receive a certificate from Exmouth in Bloom stating that Joy was their “100th Friend of Exmouth in Bloom” and bestowing her with Life Membership to Exmouth in Bloom. Very well deserved.
The ladies of the Bar and Social Committee organised a fun afternoon with cream tea on the 10th and a good time was had by all. Captain of the Day, Dee Williams, and Janet Grundy organised a complicated drive, each end with different winning criteria or playing positions, challenging but just for fun and 26 members took part and were joined by others for tea. It was good to see some new members taking part. The winning team was Chris Fox playing with Myra Furminger and Terry Dowrick.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here