Welsh visitors are on the back foot as Walton opens up in devastating fashion
A stunning opening ten ends from Ron Walton helped Royal Leamington Spa to a 115-101 defeat of Welsh touring side Blaina at Victoria Park.
Walton’s rink of Malcolm Wickens, Reg Fox and Ron Deavall raced into a commanding 21-3 lead to help Spa open up a 24-point cushion just short of the half-way stage.
And, despite their opponents fighting back to eventually lose out 27-17, further rink wins for Dick Allibon (20-14), Ivor Harris (21-14) and Mike Wilkes (24-16) ensured Leamington were always in command.
The following day, Spa claimed a 19-shot victory over visitors Whitnash after winning three of the six rinks and drawing another.
Spa’s highest winning rink was a 26-8 for Alan Taylor, Rex Fox, Trevor Briggs and skip Dick Williams.
Bill Ekins (21-8) and Andrew Woodward (21-13) also recorded victories for Leamington, with Clive Haywood (25-11) and Graham Cluff (27-11) replying for Whitnash.
Dave Gardener’s clash with Les Clarkson finished 17-17.
Home Guard came away from their tour of Kent empty-handed after losing all four games.
J Tighe claimed their only rink win in the 120-99 defeat at Folkestone, but there was more to celebrate at Gateway, with L Woodfield (18-15) and M Bailey (29-13) claiming victories in a 139-95 loss.
Tour organiser Clive Haywood claimed a 23-18 success ina hard-fought 122-101 loss at Aylesham & Social Welfare and any hopes of a positive end to the tour were dashed when poor weather forced their final match under cover against a Bedford Borough side of predominantly indoor bowlers.
A 170-73 defeat duly followed, with Haywood’s rink preventing the whitewash by claiming a 17-17 draw.
Warwick Boat Club Ladies’ friendly with St Barbara’s was curtailed after 12 ends due to heavy rain with Boat Club leading 29-26.
Boat Club’s men, meanwhile, suffered a five-shot defeat at home to Fenny Compton.