CAPTAINS Colin and Marcia Easton welcomed club members to the first ever Joint Ladies’ and Men’s Captains’ Day at the Avon Bowls Club.
A spokesperson for the club said, “True to Captains Day tradition activities got under way starting with a group photograph. This was quickly followed by the ‘spider’ which was won by guest player Andy Young from Holt bowls club. Serious play then began with six rinks fully manned, with a maximum of 48 players taking part. Each player was provided with a card to record their personal score, shots for and against, as the game progressed. The game was conducted in three groups of six ends, each player drawing at the start of each group for rink and position in either a yellow or green team. Play proceeded rapidly, with an abundance of enthusiasm, fierce competition and the occasional ribald comment. Individual scores were diligently and somewhat secretively recorded by competitors. Once the last bowl of the match had been delivered, score cards were collected by President John Crowder who rigorously examined them to ascertain the final results. This was determined by calculating the shot difference for each player. It was evident that a wide range of scores had been achieved throughout, with many players recording minus scores! But as in all competitions there can only be one winner and for this special day, Dave Alford was duly declared the overall champion, achieving an astonishing plus 30 shot difference, thereby deserving and receiving a well earned round of applause! Players were then treated to a wonderful colourful and truly scrumptious buffet prepared for them by Tracey and Mikaela.
“Captains Colin and Marcia then gave a detailed account of the club’s challenging year, highlighting the results of group and individual achievements which are as follows:
• County and Nationals Competitions:
• Ladies’ County Champion of Champions: Winner, Marcia Easton.
• Ladies’ County Unbadged Two Wood: Winner Sylvia Crabbe.
• Marcia Easton reached last eight of the National Singles.
• Colin Easton, Connor Rabey, John Crowder reached last eight in National Triples.
• John Woodhouse, Colin and Marcia Easton were second in final of County Officers Triples.
• Sylvia Crabbe, John Crowder, Colin and Marcia Easton played in the Open Single 4s Final against Chippenham Town winning the match by one shot!
“In the 4×4 Finals Avon faced Holt in an extremely competitive and hotly contested game with chopping and changing throughout. It all came down to the last bowl on the last end. Unfortunately, Avon missed out by just 3 shots. A fantastic effort by all, congratulations and well done the Mighty Holt!
“In the White Horse League congratulations go to Avon D team on winning Division 1 and making the quarter final play off’s. Sadly, it did not go Avon D’s way and they lost to Chippenham Town D on an extra end.
“Club Competition winners: Ladies’ 2 wood and 100 up: Marcia Easton. Mixed pairs: Marcia Easton and John Crowder. Terry Gregory Cup: Marcia Easton. John Broom cup: John Crowder. Men’s 2 wood: John Crowder. Men’s Pairs: Colin Little and Andy Durrant. Men’s open: John Crowder. By winning the Open competition, John will play in next year’s County Champion of Champions competition. Congratulations also to John on completion of an outstanding and successful two seasons as Wiltshire County Men’s President.
“Mixed friendly matches with other clubs in our area were cancelled until 2nd of July. This left only 14 for the rest of the season. Sadly, and for various reasons, only 5 matches were played with Avon winning 3 and drawing 2. The match in Wales against Pontyclun, usually a highlight of all the mixed friendlies, was a casualty due to torrential rain. Who said it never rains in Wales? Tuesday club nights continued to be well attended with Australian pairs being very popular with all players and proved to be a sure way to improve everyone’s bowling ability.
“On to next year’s out door bowling season. 2022 will be a unique year for Avon Bowls club as a double celebration will be taking place, with the founding of the club 100 years ago coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Avon Ladies. This is a great opportunity for the whole club to celebrate in the best way possible as a unified body. Captains for next year will be John Crowder and Dawn Edwards. Already a process is under way to secure a game against Bowls England, the Barbarians and Barnwood Bowls Club who are also celebrating their Centenary. Arrangements are also being made for a special club tour to Guernsey for later in the year.
“Avon Bowls Club continues to offer 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.
The Bowls Club is situated in the grounds of Melksham House, just off the Town Market Place. Access to the grounds is limited at the moment due to the construction of the Health and Well-being Centre. For more information, please contact Club Secretary, Email: abc-secretary@hotmail.com
