Busy time for Avon Bowls Club

AVON Bowls Club played a long established six rink mixed friendly game against our friends from Pontyclun Bowls Club on 30th June.

The club reports, “In days gone by, club members Georgena and Brian Coomber were chief organisers of our mixed friendly games against other bowls clubs in a wide area and this game, with Pontyclun, was one of their favourites. Against this particular club there is a fiercely contested trophy. After a hard-fought game, our club emerged winners and retain the much-coveted silver cup for another year! Sadly, as reported earlier, Georgena passed away before this fixture, but Brian was able to attend the game and was warmly welcomed by all and especially his old friends from Wales. 

“Two teams were entered in the Mixed Double Rink competition. The first team captained by Marcia Hartley (home) and Danny Holland (away) won their match against Pewsey Vale comfortably and go through to the next round. The second team captained by Aubrey Muttitt (home) and Peter Renshaw (away), lost their match to Stratton Churchway.

“Tom Newman has won through to play in the semi-finals of the Under Twentyfives competition. He was also selected to play for Wiltshire in the area final of the Middleton Cup against Cornwall who won the match by 6 shots.

“On 5th July, Over 60s Triples team (Malcolm Hole, Peter Renshaw, Richard Buckland) beat Devizes BC 18/13 in the third round. They now face Salisbury BC in the fourth round, which is to be played on 2nd August at 10.30am at Avon BC.

“On 6th July Georgina Newman and Marcia Hartley played for Wiltshire against Dorset at Gillingham BC. Wiltshire won the match 128/111.

“On 8th July Marcia Hartley beat Gill Chandler (Winsley BC) 22/8 in the first round of the County Champion of Champions competition. Marcia and Niel Collet having beaten Devizes BC 21/17 in the National Mixed Pairs, and went on to play in the area semi-final at Westlecot BC on the 9th July, but sadly lost to Lucy Smith and Mikey Titcombe 22/17.

“On 21st July, Tom Little and Tom Newman play S Etherington and D Murray ( Highworth BC) in the Junior Pairs Semi Final at Devizes BC.

“We are now about half-way through the outdoor bowling season. All club members, full and social, have played a huge part in getting all the fixtures successfully fulfilled so far. We have had some super matches, ranging from national and county competitions, league matches, mixed friendlies and of course, our own club competitions. 

“There is still a long way to go, and we have a lot of work to do, but we are taking a short break from these activities. Some club members are away on tour to Eastbourne, where arrangements have been made by Danny Holland for four 6 rink mixed friendly games against local clubs. On their return from their ‘rest’, the club will Host the Ladies County Two Wood Last Eight Competition.

“Avon Bowls Club offers excellent opportunities for everyone to enjoy the sport, it caters for ladies and men, young and old and is ready to welcome new members throughout the season. Fully qualified club coaches are ready to offer training and advice to all of us, including existing members but especially for newcomers, to ensure that they get the best possible introduction to the game.

“The Bowls Club is situated in the grounds of Melksham House. Access to the grounds is just off the Town Market Place. For more information, please contact Club Secretary, Email: abc-secretary@hotmail.co.uk or call 01225 352283.”