President's Day delivers again at Madeira Bowls Club

President’s Day is one of the great traditions at many bowls clubs and Madeira always does it properly, as a stunning 23 - 7 win by skip Ray Parker with Myra Furminger and Clive Brinkworth was enough to hand Jacky’s team (“Jacolytes”) the victory.

The highlight of the afternoon was a cream tea, impeccably served on bone china by Gill Wood, Ken and Jan Roberts.

The first ‘Friendly’ of the week saw Madeira’s Jurassic neighbours from along the Coast taking to the greens with four mixed triples. Now, to many, beating Budleigh is not a matter of life or death - it’s more important than that! 

But, perhaps energised by discovering the level of car park charges in Exmouth, Budleigh were in no mood to make life easy for the hosts. At tea, after nine ends, the match was exactly tied at 25 points each.

Then, in a tense second half, Madeira inched ahead and with two ends to play enjoyed a two-shot lead. It was an advantage they were not to surrender and turning the screw, Madeira ran out overall winners by 59 - 47. Top rink was skipped by Joan Mansell with Tony Howle and Terry Dowrick, winning 15 - 11. September’s return fixture should be a cracker!

Unfortunately, the good form for the club could not be extended on the national competition scene, as the Madeira ‘A’ run in the Tony Allcock Trophy hit the buffers after they lost to Crediton on both rinks.

Finally, the sprightly seniors of Yate, (an ancient town in South Gloucestershire), came to Exmouth on a sultry Sunday for a six-rink friendly. Madeira jumped out to an early lead, but just as they were  humming ‘We are the Champions’ under their breath, Yate hauled themselves back into the contest.

After eighteen ends there was nothing in it, until a Madeira six on the nineteenth swung the contest their way. Final score Exmouth 108 Yate 102. Top rink: skip Dave Moody with Charlie Darke, Ann Maloney and Jenny Charles.

By Terry Dowrick