IT doesn’t matter whether the sun is shining or the rain is beating down, this is now getting to be an extremely busy time of the season for certain bowlers. Obviously the more successful you are the further you get in the competitions and the more matches you have to play in a week.

For those of you who pass Newcombes Meadow to see the bowlers in action, not only are you looking at one of the finest greens in the County so well cared for by the green keepers, but also you are watching some of the finest bowlers in the County.

This is now being borne out by the results where there are so many progressing through the rounds of County and National Competitions.

In the County Top Club Crediton demolished Morchard Bishop 5-0 winning all disciplines and now progress to the Section Final on August 9 where they will play Topsham.

Another massive win was in the Section 4 Final of the County Trophy which was held at Topsham and was won by Crediton with a massive margin of 85-28 against Exonia who conceded with five ends still to be played!

Chris Bond and Neil Thomas have progressed to the Section Final in the Men’s Grater Pairs after defeating a pair from Topsham 22-21 and in the Mixed County Pairs Karen and Mark Theedom progressed to the next round by just one shot after defeating fellow club mates Muriel Scott and Trevor Newbery.

In the Tony Allcock competition the two rinks defeated Topsham with Liz Smerdon’s four leading the way with a 22-6 win.

In the Men’s County Fours Richard Gunn, Allan Gibb, Richard Ellis and Mark Theedom progressed to the last 16 by defeating Topsham.

They are due to meet Penycross in the last 16 but there is a rumour circulating that the Crediton four may be getting a free ride into the last eight!

In the Over 60’s National Singles Roy Andrews defeated Kevin Phillips of Topsham and now all that stands between him and a place at the National Finals is Brian Poole of Morchard Bishop.

The Nationals are back on again this year and will be held at Leamington Spa from August 19 to September 5.

Several Crediton bowlers are close to qualification so watch this space for news of successes as they happen!

In the Burma Star Triples the final will be between two pairings from Crediton. Muriel and Robin Scott along with Trevor Newbery defeated that fine bowler Mary Abbott who was paired with Mike Tapp and Lloyd Reynolds and will now meet the family affair of Alex and Amy Simpson along with Chris Bond.

Alex is also part of the Section 4 Unbadged Triples winners alongside Mike Tapp and Allan Gibb after defeating an Okehampton triples team.

Finally all the internal competitions are moving along at a pace and Allan Gibb has progressed through to the Final of the Non-Cup Competition where he awaits the winner from either Alex Simpson (the rising young kid on the block!) or Steve Wollacott, Club Captain and Chairman!

Mike Canning