THE 50th Annual Industrial Bowls Tournament organised by The Rotary Club of Crediton Boniface saw United Crediton triumph in the final.

Runners-up were Graphic A, who put up a great fight played in amicable rivalry, including by brothers Chris Bond in the United Crediton team and Ian Bond in the Graphic team.

In 56 teams of four, 224 people took part in this year’s competition which began on August 4 and ended with the semi-finals and final on August 16.

In the semi-finals United Crediton beat Evans News B and Graphic A beat Springfield Emporium.

The Industrial Bowls runners-up team from Graphic A with Mike Canning, chairman, Crediton Bowling Club, left, and right, Jane Brimacombe, President of Crediton Boniface Rotary and Rotarian Paul Radnor. AQ 0557
The Industrial Bowls runners-up team from Graphic A with Mike Canning, chairman, Crediton Bowling Club, left, and right, Jane Brimacombe, President of Crediton Boniface Rotary and Rotarian Paul Radnor. AQ 0557 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The competition was started in Crediton 50 years ago as a chance for people, who did not normally play bowls, to take part in a friendly competition, and to raise money for local charities.

The name derives from the fact that local “industrial” firms were invited to take part. This has been expanded to include all organisations or groups of friends.

Each team is allowed one player who is a member of a bowling club, the other players must not be regular outdoor bowlers.

The competition is organised in association with Crediton Bowling Club.

Before presenting the trophies, Jane Brimacombe, President of Crediton Boniface Rotary, thanked Crediton Bowling Club for hosting the tournament, the greenkeepers, bar staff, those who provided refreshments and all who took part.

Dee Saunders, Crediton and District Playscheme for Children with Special Needs, left, with Jane Brimacombe, President of Crediton Boniface Rotary. AQ 0572
Dee Saunders, Crediton and District Playscheme for Children with Special Needs, left, with Jane Brimacombe, President of Crediton Boniface Rotary. AQ 0572 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

She thanked Mike Canning from the Bowls Club and Paul Radnor from Crediton Boniface Rotary for organising it.

She said that the £700 from the entry fees would be donated to Crediton and District Playscheme for Children with Special Needs, a local charity which takes children with special needs on day trips during school holidays.

She added that the £800 from the raffle would be donated to Prostate Cancer UK.

Dee Saunders, on behalf of the Playscheme, thanked the Rotary and Bowling Club for the donation.