I THINK it’s fair to say that in recent issues of the Courier the ladies have had their fair share of write-ups and so to address the imbalance there is good news to report this week on the progress of the men.
This past weekend brought two famous victories.
On Saturday, August 5 the men travelled to Shaldon in the quarter-final of The Top Club.
This competition gives each team the chance to play all disciplines and so it was that Crediton made the trip to play against a team packed with internationals.
Rob Paxton played singles, with Pete Sheppard taking on the two woods. Mike Tapp and Ian Bond were the Pairs and the team was completed by Gary Ayley, Neal Thomas and Chris Bond on Triples and the Fours were Richard Ellis, Trevor Newbery, Lloyd Reynolds and Gary Morphett.
Needless to say it was a tight match throughout but Crediton came out victorious by three disciplines to two and will now play Plymouth North Down in the County semi-final.
The following day the same 11 bowlers were joined by Roy Andrews, Ed Tucker, Terry Chamberlain, Steve Jones and Mark Theedom in the quarter-final of the County Trophy.
This competition matches four rinks of bowlers aiming to score more in total than their opponents.
The match was played at a neutral venue, Culm Vale Bowling Club against Ottery St Mary. The side won by well over 20 shots and will now play Shaldon in the Devon semi-final.
The Ladies finals were also played and more success came to Crediton.
Liz Smerdon became the Ladies County Singles Champion and was joined by Amy Bond, Helen Ellis and Nikki Payne to become County Fours Champions.
Helen and Nikki were runners up in the County Pairs so congratulations go to them all and good luck to them in their travels to the National Finals this next fortnight in Leamington Spa.
Only one friendly this week against Bideford Victoria Park which somehow resulted in a 101-97 defeat even though the rink scores were 3.5 to 2.5 in favour of Crediton.
The wheels seem to have come off the Over 60’s A team as they fell to another 8-0 defeat at the hands of Marina A.
They now lie fourth in their league and it looks as though any chance of retaining their title may have gone for this year.
The B team were also defeated 8-0 by Exonia C, but remain third.
The C team played catch-up this week by playing two fixtures.
A disappointing 6-2 home defeat at the hands of Belmont B was followed up with a very impressive 6-2 victory at Tiverton West End.
The league is still extremely tight so the team probably needs to win two out of the last four fixtures to avoid any possibility of relegation which will be a much improved position from last year.
The Rotary Industrial Bowls tournament started on Monday and on the very first evening there was a major shock as the defending champions were defeated in the first round.
This is the 50th year that the competition has been run and a team from Dart and Francis have been entered to see if they can repeat their victory of the very first year.
Fixtures
Thursday, August 10 - Crediton Ladies Yellow v Seaton Red at 2pm
Thursday, August 10 - Industrial Bowls at 6.30pm
Sunday, August 13 - Men’s Club Pairs at 10am
Monday, August 14 - Industrial Bowls at 6.30pm
Tuesday, August 15 - Friendly v Belmont at 2.30pm
Tuesday, August 15 - Industrial Bowls at 6.30pm
Wednesday, August 16 - Crediton Ladies Yellow v Ottery Gold at 10.30am
Wednesday, August 16 - Crediton Ladies Green v Sidmouth Blue at 10.30am
Wednesday, August 16 - Over 60’s B v Axminster at 2.30pm
Wednesday, August 16 - Over 60’s C v Madeira D at 2.30pm
Wednesday, August 16 - Industrial Bowls at 6.30pm.
Mike Canning