THE 2016 season has been one of the most successful for the Ladies of Morchard Bishop Bowling Club, despite having few members compared to other clubs.

The Interclub Competition comprised 64 teams from across Devon, which consists of two rinks of four.

Morchard Bishop reached the final, Honiton and Plymouth being two teams defeated en route.

Kings Torquay (a much younger team it must be said!) were the easy winners in the final, but Morchard Bishop were rightly proud of their achievements.

The Morchard team included Ann Howell, Margaret Pollard, Shirley Cruwys, Janet Sherwood, Christine Stevens, Annie Robinson, Sheila Kirby and Gillian Gunn.

The ladies also achieved success in the North Devon Ladies Triples League.

In 2015, as winners of Division Four, Morchard Bishop were included in the play-off along with the other three league winners and came out Champion of Champions.

Now in Division Three, they were again winners and once again Champion of Champions!

This will be a hard act to follow in Division Two next season.

In County Competitions, the triple of Shirley Cruwys, Gillian Gunn and Marcia Mills reached the semi-final of the Benevolent Triples.

Pride of place, however, must go to Janet Sherwood who went to the National Finals at Leamington in two disciplines, in the Senior Pairs with Joan Martin of Crediton and as one of Devon’s two representatives in the two-wood singles. Well done Janet!

Sadly this is the last season that Janet will be playing for Morchard, as she is moving away and her contribution to the teams will be sorely missed.

The Club always welcome new members, and in 2017 will be offering membership to new players for only £10 for their first season. This is only open to new bowlers who have not previously played for a club in Devon.

Alan Quick