Smithard shows fine form for RLS Ladies

The visitors lost three of the four rinks on the way to a crushing 93-51 defeat, with a narrow 18-17 success for Les Collins providing the only bright spot.

Staff quickly bounced back with an emphatic defeat of Corley in their five-rink mixed friendly encounter.

Collins (18-14) was again in winning form, with Eric Heath (25-15) and Barry Grant (28-17) helping ensure a 102-85 success.

The Warwickshire Vice-Presidents’ Bowls Association helped raise £458 for the Zippers Bowls Association during their recent encounter at Three Spires.

Gareth Wilcock skipped Tony Mann, Roger Prentice and Peter Buggins to Warwickshire’s only rink win - 25-13 - in a 118-92 defeat, while Lillington’s Bernard Crowther was presented with his blazer badge.

Royal Leamington Spa (RLS) Ladies edged past Three Spires Ladies 53-50 in a three-rink friendly at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Jean Smithard skipped the highest winning rink (18-12) for Leamington with the match finishing early due to to rain and blustery conditions.

Smithard also showed good form in the ladies’ trip to Blossomfield, skipping a 22-8 highest winning rink in the vistors 57-42 victory with Mary Ashley (21-19) also successful.

Visitors Hertfordshire came out on top by 253-172 in a bumper 12-rink match at RLS, which was the final fixture of their week-long tour.

Avenue BC travelled to Banbury Chestnuts, who are one of the oldest bowling clubs in the country, and came away with a 5-1 (130-80) victory from a six-rink triples match.

Paul Dale (25-7) and Andy Smith (30-12) skipped the highest winning rinks for the visitors.

Despite the triples efforts of Adam Smith, Andy Strain and Paul Dale (23-10) and a 4 wood singles win for Andy

Smith, Avenue were knocked out of the Waldrop Cup by Little Compton (3-2).

Three rink wins for Lillington were not enough to stop them going down on overall scores to Whitnash (68-58) in a four rink friendly match.

Skip Geoff Ward’s (10-30) defeat to G Reader proved to be decisive despite John Randers (18-12), Malcolm Welch (15-14) and Dennis Lee skipping the winning rinks for Lillington.

Courier League results: Division One: Little Compton 8 (75) Halford 0 (40); Lillington 1 4 (50) Avenue 4 (45); RLS1 6 (66) Stratford on Avon 2 (49); Division 2 : Southam 6 (52) Homeguard 2 2 (44); Shipston Sports 2 (42) Homeguard 1 6 (54); RLS 2 6 (54) Fenny Compton 2 (33); WCC A 2 (54) RLS 4 6 (59): Division 3 Kineton 2 (28) Lillington 2 6 (69); Warwick Boat Club 6 (31) Snitterfield 28 (2); FISSC 6 (70) WCC B 2 (37); Lillington 3 2 (33) Avon 6 (68)