IT is incredible that less than three weeks remain of this year’s bowling season with finals of the club competitions coming in thick and fast.

The first game due to be played against Exonia NBTL was cancelled as Exonia have withdrawn from the league. Monday morning (September 2) saw the Ladies Non Winners Cup decided when Ann Sullivan and Jill Ayris played off with Jill Ayris overcoming a very dogged resistance by Ann Sullivan to win.

Tuesday, September 3 saw a six-rink game played at Tavistock B.C. where the weather was sunny. Tavistock won overall.

Wednesday, September 4 saw an early start for the Ladies who were off to Exmouth to play in the semi-final and final of Grace Matthews Trophy. The semi-final was between Crediton and South Molton and Seaton and Kings.

Crediton won the semi 3 disciplines to 2 and Kings won 4 to 1. So to a repeat of last year’s final, Glenys Fribbens did extraordinarily well in the two wood discipline getting the best of a county and national player, also the triples won, we could have won but the pairs dropped a five on the 20th end and needed to draw shot on the final end but failed.

Well done Kings, (as I was skip of the pairs I can put this down as it is).

At home a rearranged Over 60s Men C team played Bradninch B.C. result; R.Fickling 25 v 13 T.Richards 9 v 16 six points achieved.

Busy, busy, busy, a friendly with Belmont B.C. that was taking place at home at the same time ended very closely, results; B.Crilly 25 v 12 E.Flower 19 v 17 C.Fribbens 24 v 6 S.Forster 10 v 27 overall 69 - 63.

On Thursday, September 5 another four triples match friendly with Bradninch B.C. took place. Results; E.Flower 25 v 12 R.Gunn 25 v 10 T.Staite 27 v 10 C.Fribbens 14 v 10 overall 91-42.

Making the most of the season a four mixed rink friendly was away to Culm Vale on Friday, September 6. Results; D.Richards 18 v 17 C.Rainford 16 v 28 E.Flower 20 v 13 S.Wollacott 19 v 9 overall 73 – 67.

Saturday, September 7 was the start of the Ladies County Finals weekend so L.Smerdon (Crediton) was first to enter the fray playing S.Tolchard in the Two Woods final, result; 15 – 11 Well done Liz.

Next came the fours led by L.Smerdon, J.Martin, M.Scott and M.Abbott (Crediton) playing E.Cooper, H.James, Substitute and L.Hackett (Kings). Result; a win for Crediton who become county champions, 19 – 14. Well done Ladies.

A friendly was taking place at home against Torrington B.C. but a couple of our skips forgot the term “Friendly”, results; R.Scott 42 v 12 T.Newbery 27 v 5 E.Flower 22 v 18 M.Theedom 14 v 20 D.Grant 9 v 23 M.Grant 15 v 11 P.Milford 15 v 20.

Next year one of our own Ladies, Christine Marshall, will have the honour of being Devon Ladies President so this weekend will give her a taste of what is to come. Good luck Christine we wish you well for your busy year ahead.

Sunday (September 8) being the second day of the Ladies County Finals weekend and L.Smerdon, J.Martin and M.Abbott returned to Newton Abbot for the semi-final and final of the Benevolent Triples; they won in the semi’s but lost to Honiton B.C. in the final.

Sunday was a well attended Aussie Pairs. Enjoyed by most bowlers this game allows both players to skip and lead, a great way to experience what the skips and leads have to suffer!

After a great day’s entertainment ably organised by Jill Heal the eventual winners were J.Newbery/P.Cookson and runners-up C.Rainford /L.Bradfield.

Dispatches must mention the wonderful last end of the match between S.Geatches/M.Scott and R.Scott/C.Cole which won the match for S.Geatches/M.Scott.

A Men’s final competition (three woods) took place during the week between M.Haywood - P.Cookson result 21 – 14. An excellent game to watch worthy of the final.

Muriel Scott