President's Day kicks-off the Madeira bowling season

The week started with the presentation at the DCLIBA annual lunch to Janine Orchard, Catherine King and Jan Roberts, their trophy acknowledging that they are again the County Ladies Indoor Bowls Triples Champions.

The 2022 season kicked off with the President’s Day arranged by Keith Weeks. It was good to see both greens in action with seven triples games all playing in their white and blues and something that hasn’t been possible for the past two pandemic years.

Some new bowlers were playing outdoors for the first time and finding out how different the challenges of outdoor bowls are compared with indoors, but the greens had been prepared superbly, a credit to Mark Perrett and his team.

The game was played with the Reds versus the Blues and resulted in a win by a good margin for the Reds. President Keith presented bottles of wine to the team with the best shot difference of plus 24; Ron Cook who was skip to Myra Furminger and Graham Ellis, all of whom started off the 2022 season with a cracking game.

The President treated all those playing and some invited guests to a savoury tea, which was much enjoyed and appreciated. Chairman David Moody expressed the thanks of all playing.

The Devon County Ladies President, Aileen Rowden, brought her team of eight rinks to play at Madeira on May Day – the first match for the County and for Madeira. It was a challenge for the home team to put out eight rinks and the help of four bowlers from Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth was appreciated.

But a largely home team it was, captained by Mary Ann Dowrick, with some new bowlers out for their first experience of such a competitive game. It was played in the best possible spirit – the home team only won one rink – but there were several very close games and great deal of enjoyment. Sidmouth’s Jill Bishop playing with M Avery, Myra Furminger and Sandie Cox achieved an excellent win for the home team of 28 shots to 11.

Catherine King, Janine Orchard and Jan Roberts - Devon County Ladies Triples Champions (Image: Madeira BC)

Madeira President, Keith Weeks (l), with the winners of the Presidents Triples - Graham Ellis, Myra Furminger and Ron Cook (Image: Madeira BC)

Devon County Ladies President, Aileen Rowden (r) and her officers at Madeira (Image: Madeira BC)

Madeira Ladies entertain Devon County President Aileen Rowden's team in the first match of the season (Image: Madeira BC)