Bowls England defeat fails to dampen Whitnash festivities

Whitnash played Bowls England on the jubilee weekend as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations and pushed their esteemed visitors all the way before going down to a 113-111 defeat.

Derek Owen skipped Mick Davis, Frank Darlinson and Hamish Crawford to a 23-11 success, while Alfie Diston led his rink to a 22-14 victory.

Adrian Shuttleworth (16-15), Dave Thompson (23-21) and Graham Cluff (18-17) all suffered narrow defeats, with a 31-13 reverse for Les Clarkson’s rink proving the pivotal result.

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Whitnash had previously progressed to the next round of the Top Club with a hard-fought victory over Norgren.

Cluff started the ball rolling by winning the two-wood singles, only for Norgren to level with victory in the four-wood singles.

Defeat for the B Ward-skipped triples allowed Norgren to take the lead, but Whitnash quickly levelled through Pete Gilbert and Adrian Shuttleworth in the pairs.

The Distin-skipped rink of Davis, Keith Billington and Thompson then secured Whitnash a home tie in the next round with a comfortable 14-shot victory in the closing encounter.

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Whitnash’s trip to Leamington resulted in a 107-96 win for the visitors.

Nash’s highest winning skip was captain Les Clarkson who oversaw a 23-10 success against Dick Allibon’s rink. D Gibbons (17-13), H Crawford (18-16) and Distin (17-16) also skipped wins for Whitnash, with D Gardner (25-16) replying for Leamington.

Derek Owen and Bill Edkins’ rink was tied at 16-16.

Royal Leamington Spa were based in Babbacombe for their tour of the south-west.

Organiser Tony Barnett was captain on his 19th tour, but he was unable to oversee much success, with a below-par Spa winning just one of their five encounters.

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After defeats to Totnes (116-84), Torquay side Kings (140-109), Bitton Park (158-94) and Brixham St Mary’s Park (145-144), the tour party did at least sign off with a win, edging out Paignton 110-109.

Dianne Murray, Cherry Plant, Colin Palmer and Ron Campbell secured a 22-5 sucess for the highest winning rink against Paignton, with Plant also featuring in the highest winning rink of the week - a 30-7 against Kings.

The Martin Baker Tour Trophy went to Peter Gubbins, who accumulated 96 points over the week.

Palmer and Jean Petty tied for second on 95.

Before they headed off, Leamington’s ladies recorded a 58-39 victory over newcomers Coventry Highway.

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Two of the three triples were evenly matched, but a comprehensive 27-6 win for Donna Kerr, Plant and Sheila Handy ensured Leamington claimed the spoils.

Cynthia Briggs skipped Chris Davison and Hazel Baker to Leamington’s other win (18-14).

Lillington were no match for Avenue in their six-rink friendly, winning just one rink on their way to a crushing 154-82 defeat.

Avenue’s Phil Wadland skipped an emphatic 36-9 success over Keith Francis to set the tone, with Bill Port (25-11), D Williams (25-11), E Slater (21-15) and John Hughes (26-14) also coming out on top.

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Dennis Lee prevented the whitewash, skipping Dave Godman, Mike Brayne and Dave Harrison to a 24-20 victory over Iain McKay.

In-form Hilary Hickman helped Warwickshire County Council Staff to two victories in the space of five days.

Hickman skipped a 16-12 in the 64-53 win over visitors Norgren in a four-rink mixed friendly and then gained an overwhelming 24-3 success in the match at Corley to tilt the balance Staff’s way.

Eric Heath (18-17) also skipped a win in the 79-73 success against Corley, while Barry Grant tied his encounter 14-14.

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Grant did skip an overwhelming 21-7 success in the victory over Norgren, while Gordon McClean was unlucky to go down 19-17.

Courier League: Division One: Avenue P Halford P; Little Compton 51 (8pts) Wellesbourne 25 (0pts); Stratford 40 (0pts) Whitnash 77 (8pts); Homeguard P RLS P. Division Two: Lillington 2nds 45 (2pts) Welford 48 (6pts); Whitnash 2nds 38 (2pts) Lillington 54 (6pts); Welford 2nds 64 (6pts) Southam 55 (2pts); RLS 3rds P RLS 2nds P; Homeguard 2nd 47 (6pts) WCC A 45 (2pts). Division Three: WCC B 37 (0pts) Fenny Compton 48 (8pts); Snitterfield 2nds 43 (6pts) Warwick Boat Club 42 (2pts); Snitterfield 59 (8pts) Lillington 3rds 31 (0pts); Shipston Sports 25 (2pts) FISSC 33 (6pts); Avon 48 (4pts) Kineton 46 (4pts).

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