It’s been a very good week at Madeira with a plethora of success in County competitions for several members, both individually and in representative teams.

Ron Cook and Andy Lock both reached the last 16 of the County Major two-wood singles, having already reached that stage in the Pairs playing together; and to finish the week off nicely, both Andy and Ron qualified for the last 16 of the County Major Fours in the Group 3 final.

Playing in Group 3A with David Tucker and Colin Mees, they beat a team from Sidmouth by a remarkable 23 shots to 2. In the group B final, Tim Flather, Nick Cole, Noel Pond and Craig Ralph also did well to beat a team from Ottery St Mary 18-12.

Sisters Sue Harriott, Nicky Fiddemore and Christine Macaulay have reached the same stage in the County Major Ladies Triples, beating two Honiton teams and a team from Seaton in the third round. Sue and Nicky have also reached the last 16 in the Ladies Pairs.

Debbie Cole has gone one round further and reached the last eight in the County Major Ladies Two-wood Singles. Her next opponent is Catherine Pickett of Newton Abbot – as Catherine is playing in the Commonwealth Games, the date of the next round is uncertain depending on her success there.

Madeira A ladies played Paignton in the third round of the County Interclub competition at Bitton Park BC. It was an excellent result for Madeira, who won on both rinks and overall by 44 shots to 27, Jacky Howle’s team achieving 18 shots to 15 and Sue Harriott’s 26 shots to 12. The 4th round will be against Bitton Park.

The only disappointment for the ladies was being knocked out of the National Top Club by the strongest of teams from Torquay Kings. However, Madeira won the fours skipped by Jacky Howle and lost the triples by just one shot.

The men’s representative teams played their County Trophy round against Sidmouth and won on all four rinks and overall by 108 shots to 57. The home teams won by 50 shots to 37 and away teams by 58 shots to 20. Last Tuesday, they played their County Trophy round against Ottery St Mary, again winning overall by 72 shots to 58.

Madeira still have one team in the Tony Allcock National Mixed Fours and they had a good win playing away against Honiton on Saturday. Bill Davis and his team won by 25 shots to 13 and Jim Wherlock and his team by 20 shots to 12. They will be playing Topsham in the next round.

Yeovil brought eight rinks for a friendly on the final day of their bowling tour to South Devon, a most enjoyable afternoon culminating in their relishing one of Kathy Munro’s steak and ale pies. It was a special day – the weather was perfect, the greens were at their best and it was great to see so many enjoying the sport of bowls at Madeira. Yeovil had a good win against the home team of 151 shots to 112 and winning on 6 of the 8 rinks. Dave Moody and his team of Myra Furminger, Chris Smith and Vic Doidge achieved the best result of the day for the home team of plus 7.

It was good to welcome 4 mixed rinks and a triples from Honiton last weekend. Honiton played well to win by 79 shots to 67. Mary Ann Dowrick and her team of Jude Latta and Clive Brinkworth showed the way for the home team by winning on their rink by 15 shots to 11.

Madeira enjoyed their game against close neighbours Budleigh Salterton this week, and this time came out on top, winning 3 of the 4 mixed triples and overall by 79 shots to 53. Again, Chairman Dave Moody and his team of Joan Brinkworth and Terry Dowrick did well with a plus 22 win.