IT WAS a baptism by fire for Tavistock Sir Francis Drake Bowling Club member Ernie Piper when he played his first competitive game for the club against Okehampton on Thursday.

Ernie found himself part of the rink skipped by Norman Paramor. While Ernie acquitted himself well, the rink lost 12-21 thanks to some precision bowling from the Okehampton skip John Tucker. Tavistock lost the match 76-73, winning two rinks and losing two.

Tavistock skip Bernie Downs led his team of Roy Gill, Wallace Northey and Brian Preece to a 26-23 victory, while skip Der Saunders won 26-12 thanks to his team of David Perry, Vic Doidge and Arthur Worth.

Tavistock's other losing rink was skipped by Roy Northam, who lost 13-27.

Thursday saw the men's section travel to Plymco North Down, where they lost on three rinks and drew the fourth.

Skips Eric Stephens (10-40), Der Saunders (17-20) and Mike Allen (14-18) all lost, while skip Bernie Down's team of Brian Preece, David Perry and Geoff Cork picked up one shot on the last end to clinch a hard fought 16-16 draw.

Friday's visit to Topsham resulted in a 131-113 win for the Tavistock team thanks to them winning four of the six rinks played.

Skip Sandy Sanders led his team of Pauline Finn and husband and wife George and Shirley Blackburn to a 23-20 victory, while David Perry, Catriona Meek and Gordon Northey supported skip Norman Paramor in his 14-12 win.

Malcolm Bloomer steered his team of Tony Coombs (match captain), Anne Doidge and Colin Craven to a 23-17 success, and skip Stuart Doidge led his team of Vic Doidge, Joan Northey and Don Anderson to a 25-13 win.

Skips Walter Meek (18-29) and Der Saunders (18-22) both saw their teams lose.

The ladies' section faced Plymstock Bees in a league fixture and emerged 41-35 winners thanks to a good win by skip Henny Bawden and her team of Marlene Paramor, Gill Saunders and Betty Browse, who won 26-15. Skip Jean Flay saw her rink lose 16-20.

Saturday's visit by Bideford saw a win for Tavistock, 135-103, thanks to skips Stuart Doidge and his team of Val Southern, Joan Solly and Walter Meek, winning 21-17.

Skip Norman Paramor's team of Joyce Drew, Gordon Northey and Tony Coombs (match captain) won 23-22, while skip Roy Northey led his squad of Ray Meneer, Gill Saunders and Fred Hodge to a 30-13 victory.

Skip Der Saunders won 27-12 thanks to his team of Brian Preece, Joan Northey and Yvonne Meneer.