TAVISTOCK Sir Francis Drake Bowling Club members gave a warm welcome to former Times photographer Jim Thorington at Saturday's away match in Paignton.
Jim, now unfortunately confined to a wheelchair but still carrying his camera, had been brought down to watch his wife, Shirley, play for Tavistock and she did him proud when performing well as part of a rink which won 25-16.
Playing under the leadership of captain for the day, Hazel Lovell, Tavistock lost the match 110-114, despite winning three of the six rinks played and drawing another.
Tavistock skip, Rob Bowhay led his team of Geoff Cork, Joyce Drew and Shirley Thorington to a 25-16 victory while skip Eric Stevens' rink of Walter Meek, Albert Townsend and Anne Doidge, notched up a 20-15 win.
Fred Hodge, Alison Webb and Marlene Paramor aided skip Stuart Doidge to a 23-13 victory and skip Norman Paramor led his rink of Betty Browse, Val Southern and Vic Doidge to a creditable 17-17 draw.
The week had started well for the men's section when on the Saturday they achieved a narrow win against their old rivals Plymouth Sir Francis Drake. The match ended 100-94 with Tavistock winning three of the five rinks played.
Club captain Mike Allen led his team of Tony Coombs, Arthur Worth and Brian Preece to a 17-11 win, while skip Stuart Doidge, George Barrand, Walley Northey and Roy Northam won 24-19. Geoff Cork, Clifford Hicks and Albert Townsend made up the rink which Rob Bowhay skipped to a convincing 26-15 victory.
Tuesday saw a reversal of the men's fortunes, when the team played at Plymstock in the Farley Trophy, and made a quick exit from the competition, losing four of the rinks played.
Wednesday saw both men's and ladies' teams in action, with the men's achieving a win against a Civil Service team — they won two rinks and lost two. The Tavistock victory was assured thanks to rinks skipped by Pat Sykes (29-19) and Mike Allen (37-16).
The ladies' match was against Plymstock Birds and resulted in a 43-47 defeat for the Tavistock team who recovered enough by Friday to beat a North Tawton team 52-51, winning two of the three rinks played.
North Tawton achieved their only winning rink with the aid of Tavistock player, Anne Doidge, who made up the opposition's team as they were a player short.
Winning rinks were skipped by Marion Allen, who won 21-20 thanks to support from Jill Lacayo and Shirley Thorington, Jean Flay, who was assisted by Gill Saunders and Joyce Drew during their 13-16 defeat, and skip Henny Bawden who led Marlene Paramor and Dorice Hicks during their 18-15 win.
The ladies' section faired well in the Top Club competition on Thursday when they won three of the five rinks which made up the match against Bere Alston. They now progress to the next round of the competition.
Friday saw the visit of men's section, local rivals Yelverton, for a County Trophy match. which resulted in a comprehensive victory for Tavistock (101-64) who won three of the four rinks played.
Skip Ron Cooper, assisted by Geoff Cork, John Smith and Clifford Hicks ran out 31-14 winners, while skip Tony Coombs led his team of Pat Sykes, Roy Northam and Arthur Worth to a 27-12 victory.
Norman Paramor, Vic Doidge and Clive Jago supported skip Der Saunders throughout their hard fought 17-17 drawn game.