WITH the glorious sunny weather and the careful easing of restrictions Crediton Bowling Club continues to be a thriving hub of activity.
The National, County and internal competitions move on at a great pace and there is now a greater appetite for League and friendly matches so there is still a lot to see.
Since an article about a month ago Christine Marshall, Devon Bowls Lady President, has attended three mixed Presidential matches at North Tawton, Newton Abbot and the Sir Francis Drake Club in Plymouth.
There have also been three ladies Presidential matches at Seaton, Barnstaple and Torquay.
It is obviously a great honour to be bestowed the Presidential position but Christine is loving the opportunity to visit so many clubs that most bowlers would not normally visit.
There has been a lot of travelling through the glorious countryside of Devon as first she saw Devon Ladies trounce Cornwall by 62 shots in the first round of the John’s Trophy but then also saw Devon lose to Worcestershire in the Walker Cup.
Closer to home Christine watched Crediton bowlers Joan Martin and Liz Smerdon progress through another two rounds in the Ladies County Pairs.
In the first match they defeated a pair from Chudleigh and in the quarter-final a pair from Honiton.
The quarter-final proved a challenge as after 10 ends Joan and Liz were 14-1 down but on capturing the Jack the change of length brought a change of fortune and the match was turned completely on its head with the Crediton pair winning 20-15!
They now play a pair from King’s Torquay for a chance to progress to the National Championships at Leamington Spa.
Not quite so good news in other competitions.
The Ladies InterClub Team narrowly lost in the second round to Barnstaple in a very tight match played on the Morchard Bishop green.
The rink, skipped by Joan Martin, had a good nine shot victory but with the rink being skippered by Liz Smerdon losing by 10 shots the overall result gave victory to the visitors by one shot!
Liz won two rounds of the County Singles which took place at Madeira Bowling Club last weekend but was then defeated by Sophie Tolchard thus ending an opportunity to progress to the National Finals.
Hopefully in next week’s copy an update can be given on the Men’s competitions. At the moment the ladies are being much more on the ball with updating this correspondent!
Mike Canning