A week punctuated by matches cancelled at Madeira Bowls Club gives pause to reflect on the nature of the sport, writes Terry Dowrick.

It seems that it is not always necessary to win in order to succeed. Everyone loses eventually, unless they become the National Champion.

A bowler may succeed therefore, despite losing, by doing so after advancing further in a competition than they have done in any previous year. QED!

“Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

Thus, we celebrate wins and losses in equal measure as “the only real failure is the failure to try, and the measure of success is how we cope with the disappointments.”

On the National stage recently, Madeira’s men have been beaten in the National Top Club, Men’s Double Rink and County Top Cub. However, success has arrived in the Foxlands competition, where they topped Section 3, a performance that sees them into the quarter finals on September 2.

In the Section 3 County competition, Ray Parker will play in the last 16 of the Major 4 Wood Singles and in Major Pairs - both Nick Cole/Craig Ralph and Martin Langford/Bill Davis have won their respective groups to move into the last 16.

In Women’s competition, Sue Harriott lost to Liz Smerdon (Crediton) in the quarter finals of the National Champion of Champions contest. Meanwhile, in the County Minor Unbadged Pairs, Janet Grundy and Lin Hambly topped Section 3 and will proceed to the Devon quarter- finals.

Additional congratulations are due to both Janet and Lin, who have now amassed the necessary points to qualify for their County Badge which will be awarded later in the season, a great reward for their dedication to bowls. 

Internal club competitions are now entering the later stages and finalists should soon be known. The “usual suspects” are percolating to the top, along with emerging talent from the ranks of newer members. It should make for an exciting finals’ weekend in due course.

Lastly, on Saturday, Madeira hosted the last 16 and 8 County deciders, featuring the cream of Devon’s bowlers on what are arguably the finest 12 rink greens in the County, thanks to the ministrations of green keepers Mark Perrott and Noel Pond.  Exmouth can be proud.