TAVISTOCK Sir Francis Drake Bowling Club's high profile Wednesday evening match against a visiting Retired Civil Service International team, resulted in a decisive 81-129 victory for the visitors.
The Civil Service team was made up of bowlers from all over the UK, who were playing their Civil Service Association championship matches in Plymouth during the day and visiting local clubs each evening.
Tavistock catering secretary, Dorice Hicks and helpers provided the visitors with a three-course evening meal prior to the game and the convivial get-together following gave a considerable boost to club funds.
Only the rink skipped by club captain Mike Allen managed to win (18-14) and the match brought to an end the five-match winning run by skip John Smith, who went down 11-17.
The rink skipped by Stuart Doidge managed a hard fought draw (15-15) thanks to some good bowling from Albert Townsend, making a comeback after a three year lay-off from bowling.
Prior to the 15th end, neither side had won an end by more than one shot, with the lead changing hands almost every end.
Tuesday's visit to Looe Bowling Club resulted in a win for Tavistock 113-85 thanks to successes from skips Ron Cooper 32-7, John Smith 18-15, Eric Stevens 27-14, Der Saunders 33-11, and Mike Allen 20-10. The match was played in brilliant sunshine while players looking inland could see nothing but black rainclouds covering the rest of the county.
Wednesday saw the men's section supplying three rinks for the annual Golden Hind Trophy match in which the two local Sir Francis Drake (Tavistock and Plymouth) clubs join forces to play against clubs from The Hoe in a match which commemorates their association with Drake and Raleigh.
Unfortunately the defeat of all three Tavistock rinks went some way to ensuring that the Hoe retained the trophy for another year.
At the end of the match, Tavistock captain Mike Allen presented the winners with a new replica trophy — purchased by the four clubs involved — as the original trophy, an old wooden model of the golden Hind, has become too fragile to be moved. Tavistock ladies won 56-32, thanks to winning rinks skipped by Betty Browse 18-14, Iris McEwen 17-12 and Joan Northey 21-6.
Saturday saw the visit of a mixed team from the Paignton Torbay Club and the match ended with a 115-91 victory for Tavistock, thanks to wins from skips Tom Sharp 21-16, Rob Bowhay 25-7, Richard Curtis 29-13, Stuart Doidge 14-12, and a hard fought 18-18 drawn match from skip John Smith whose last wood of the game trailed the jack back to pick up four shots and earn his rink the draw.
The Torbay team left with pasties in hand and promising revenge for the defeat when Tavistock play the return match at Paignton on September 9.