The 2022 Madeira Bowls Club outdoor season drew to a close with an in-house competition for the Beckhart Cup played on a perfect autumn Sunday afternoon, the eve of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
She was never far from the minds of those taking part and the fact that she was the Patron of Bowls England made the occasion even more poignant. Some members recalled the visit of the Royal Household Bowling Club to Madeira some many years ago – the club is in the Great Park at Windsor and members have to work for the Royal Household.
The Beckhart Cup was played for with a mini competition of three games of six ends. Nobody won all three but Joan Mansell playing with Geoff Furminger, Sue Lampey and Lawrie Humphries emerged the winners and were presented with the cup and bottles of Bucks Fizz by Captain of the Day, Jenny Smith, who had to present herself and her team with the consolation chocolate!
There have been two of the largest games of the season this week. Devon Patrons brought 10 mixed rinks of teams from all over Devon led by their Chairman and Captain of the Day Geoff Jenkins. The Patrons raise money throughout the season to support young people playing bowls through Bowls Devon and this year will have raised around £2,500 – a magnificent effort.
They were very good bowlers too and gave Madeira a hard, but most enjoyable time, winning overall by 182 shots to 147. Madeira managed to win two games and draw 2 with the best performance from the home team being from David Macaulay and his team of Gloria Taylor, Ann Doidge and Martin Clook who did well with plus 11.
Braeside, from the Bournemouth area, enjoyed a coach trip and away-day in Exmouth bringing 7 mixed rinks. Madeira emerged the winners with a 144 shots to 125 win. Ron Cook and his team of Susie Roughton, Viv Gill and Club President Keith Weeks were team of the match with an impressive 29 shots to 9 win.
The 2022/23 Indoor season starts officially on October 2 and there is an Open Day for those wanting to trying a new sport on Saturday, October 1 – why not come and give it a go?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here