TAVISTOCK Sir Francis Drake Bowling Club got off to a damp start last week when Monday's home match against Plymstock was abandoned at the 17th end of the 21-end game, due to rainwater on the green making it so hazardous that four players slipped and fell.

At the point where the game was called off, Tavistock were winning on three of the four rinks being played, with Mike Allen winning (19-16), Der Saunders (15-13), and Malcolm Bloomer (18-7).

The week did not get any better for Tavistock when on Friday they played a visiting mixed team from Topsham. Having already lost their away match (105-125) at Topsham in July, it came as no big surprise when Friday's home fixture ended in another defeat (114-117).

Tavistock won only two of the six rinks played, with skip Mike Allen leading his team of David Perry, Henry Lovell and Betty Browse to a 30-14 victory and skip John Smith's rink of Anne Doidge, Gordon Northey and Malcolm Bloomer, winning 21-18.

Saturday saw the visit of a men's touring team, Caeran Athletic, from Wales, who stayed for an evening meal at the club following the game. The Welshmen won the match (95-90), despite Tavistock winning three of the five rinks played.

Skip Rob Bowhay's rink won (20-19), Ron Cooper led his rink to a 15-13 victory and club captain Mike Allen's rink won (22-12).

Unfortunately, Tavistock's two losing rinks lost by 18 shots between them, thus ensuring a victory for the visitors.

The ladies' section played two matches during the week, winning one and losing the other.

Wednesday's league game at home to Plymstock Birds ended with a win for the visitors.

Despite skip Iris McEwen leading her team of Freda Isaac, Yvonne Meneer and Jenny Tremaine to a 21-17 victory, Tavistock's other rink lost 12-25, giving the visitors a nine-shot overall advantage, and the league points.

The ladies' second match was an away fixture at Lee Moor and Tavistock won both rinks played, to pick up six league points.

Skip Iris McEwen's rink of Freda Isaac, Yvonne Meneer and Jenny Tremaine won (31-6) and skip Marion Allen led her team of Henny Bawden, Jean Flay and Marlene Paramor to a narrow (19-18) victory.

It was a good week for Tavistock ladies player Yvonne Meneer who during the week beat Jean Flay, the ladies' section vice-captain (acting), to win her way into her third club competition final.

Yvonne is now in the Jackey Fenner cup final, the Club Championship final and the Handicap final, all of which are due to be played this weekend.