It’s been a busy week at Madeira with a flurry of friendly fixtures – all at home and all wins for Madeira. 

The ladies’ representative teams were in action in the national Mason Trophy (two rinks of over 60s, one at home and one away) with mixed success. Madeira A had a strong win against Mid Devon, each club winning one rink but Sue Harriott and her team playing away did well and helped achieve an overall win of 37 shots to 23.  

They will play Sidmouth in the next round but the other win was Honiton’s with a plus 7 shots. Honiton A play Honiton B in the next round on the 9th. 

Madeira welcomed Dawlish last weekend for the friendliest of mixed fixtures. The home team won two rinks and overall but the margin was a narrow plus 6. Vic Doidge, Captain of the Day, and his team of David Mansell, Jude Latta and Jenny Charles, achieved the best shot difference for the home team of plus 13. 

The ladies enjoyed their home game against Isca. Although only two triples games, it was the most competitive match and the home team were delighted with their one-shot win (31 - 30). Angie Fish and her team of Lin Hambly and Jan Roberts made that possible, winning by 17 shots to 11. 

Three mixed triples teams travelled to Madeira from Exonia last Wednesday and had a challenging game with Madeira winning decisively on two of the three rinks and overall by 65 shots to 39. Both winning rinks scored highly but Steve Stott, playing with Mike Holmes and Val Allam, must have been pleased with his plus 25 win - the best shot difference of the day. 

Finally, last Saturday and in the most appalling weather, Chardstock made it through the rain and the Blackdown Hills to Madeira for a mixed rinks fixture. Again, the home team did well, winning on all rinks and overall by 55 shots to 33. Joan Mansell had a good day – playing with C Trayler, Ann Doidge and Martin Clook, she secured the best shot difference of the day of plus 12.