After weather-related cancellations earlier in the week, Madeira welcomed West End Bowling Club ( Southampton) on Saturday for the final game of their week-long Devon tour, writes Terry Dowrick. 

West End were hoping to finish on a high note and Madeira’s bowlers were straining at the leash, as they took to the greens for a seven rink ‘friendly’.

Madeira shook their hands, patted their backs and wished them luck. But they were thinking - Welcome to ‘Fortress Madeira’, we are oh so ready for you. Bring it on!

In a wet first half, matters were evenly balanced over five rinks and on the sixth, West End were luxuriating in a comfortable 15 - 4 lead.

Meanwhile, Madeira’s top rink (5) comprising Myra Furminger (again), Jude Latta, Gary Kinchin and skip Dave Moody we’re taking no prisoners as they restricted their opponents to a single shot before the tea break.

Bowling lore avers that it all changes after tea, but in this case it was simply more of the same, as Dave’s crew romped to a decisive victory by 25 shots to 5 and West End continued to dominate on rink six, handing the Madeira quartet a 27-9 drubbing.

However, steady performances on the other five rinks saw Madeira run out overall winners by a score of 122 - 98. Job done, and a real highlight of the summer to welcome touring teams to our club and the beautiful town of Exmouth.

Following the cancellation of Monday’s scheduled friendly fixture against Chardstock, Madeira’s ladies will take centre stage on Tuesday with the ‘Grace Mathews Triples’, which is sure to be keenly contested.

Then on Saturday, the all-day Bowls Devon 4 Wood Singles last 16, quarter and semi-finals, will see the elite of the County’s ladies battling it out for a place in the final. Why not drop by to watch some top-flight bowls at Madeira and, hopefully, the sun will come back out.

Finally, Friday night ‘Club Night’ is up and running for bowlers old and new to share a rink or a drink. Don’t miss it!