Wiltshire tourists wrap up well

Under the stewardship of Spencer Melksham’s Pete Sanders, the 2016 county men’s president, the touring party of 31 was based in Barnstaple, playing a total of four games over a long weekend, winning two matches and losing two.

Five former Wiltshire men’s presidents, a Bowls England director, several county officials, next year’s president and players from 14 Wiltshire clubs were represented.

The opening day saw Wiltshire Tourists face local club Barnstaple but despite sharing the rink honours 3-3, they lost 125-109.

The victorious rinks were skipped by guest Don Fox (nine shots), Winsley’s Cliff Gumm (five) and senior vice-president John Southern (four).

On day two, Wiltshire suffered another loss this time by 23 shots to Rock Park (Barnstaple) 118-95, only winning on one rink that was skipped by Fox by nine shots.

However, the next day, the tourists finally found the winning formula as they defeated Bideford Victoria Park 117-100, with rink honours shared 3-3.

Top skips on the day were Spencer Moulton’s Ian Francis (23 shots), Chippenham Park’s Keith Hutchens and Dave Royal, who both recorded 13- shot victories.

The winning sequence was continued on the final day at West Backwell on the way home where the Moonrakers registered a 143-84 victory.

The Moonrakers took the honours, winning on four of the rinks.

Top rink just was the foursome of county president Peter Sanders, Ross Wheeler, Tudor Lloyd and skip Steve Rose who won by 21 shots - with a three on the last end - to edge out Dave Royle’s foursome, that included at three Moulton’s former county president Roger Green, by one shot.

Also skipping their fours to victory were Dan Harvey (16 shots) and Fox (11), his third win of the tour.

The tour also raised £600 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, president’ Sanders chosen charity this year.

Sanders’ final task as the 2016 county men’s president, before handing over the chain of office to John Southern (Amesbury), 2017 president-elect, is to present the prizes to all of the county men’s championship and competition winners and runners-up at the men’s annual dinner and presentation evening at the Assembly Hall, Melksham, on November 19.

Next year Wiltshire men’s annual autumn tour will be another president’s tour to South Devon based in Babbacombe under the stewardship of John Southern, 2017 Bowls Wiltshire men’s president.

2016 Wiltshire Tourists: Ken Bray (Avon), Alec Burden (Amesbury), Dave Eaton (Royal Wootton Bassett & Shrivenham), Malcolm Ellis (Marlborough), Ray Fernandes (Swindon), Don Fox (guest, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts), Derek Francis (Avon), Ian Francis (Spencer Moulton), Rod Giles (Rodbourne Cheney), Roger Green (S Moulton), Cliff Gumm (Winsley), Peter Harding (Amesbury), Dan Harvey (Rodbourne Cheney), Steve Herridge (Swindon), Vic Hilton (RWB), Frank Hinchliffe (Westlecot), Keith Hutchens (Chippenham Park), Keith Jopling (RWB), Tudor Lloyd (S’don), Jack Peterson (Supermarine), Howard Pryse (S’don), Dave Royle, Steve Rose (both RC), Pete Sanders (Spencer Melksham), John Snell (Alderbury), John Southern (Amesbury), Mike Tuohy, Andy Watson, Barry & Ross Wheeler (all S’don) and John Wilks (RWB).

RESULTS v Barnstaple BC (at Barnstaple) Rink 1: Steve Rose lost to Derek Angold 13-29; Rink 2: Dan Harvey lost to Adam Loveridge 16-24; Rink 3: John Southern beat Mike Woodcock 21-17; Rink 4: Keith Hutchens lost to Colin Smith 14-24; Rink 5: Cliff Gumm beat Bob Payne 23-18; Rink 6: Don Fox beat Ken Jones 22-13.

Score: Wiltshire lost to Barnstaple 109-125.

v Rock Park BC (at Barnstaple) Rink 1: Keith Hutchens lost to Don Barron 10-18; Rink 2: John Southern lost to Alf Crisp 14-21; Rink 3: Don Fox beat Pete Arnold 22-13; Rink 4: Tudor Lloyd lost to Ben Hoxtager 16-17; Rink 5: Ian Francis lost to Tim Fry 15-23; Rink 6: Vic Hilton lost to Chris Payne 18-26.

Score: Wiltshire lost to Rock Park 95-118.

v Bideford Victoria Park (at Bideford) Rink 1: Dave Royle beat S Harding 25-12; Rink 2: Ian Francis beat P Berry 32-9; Rink 3: Dan Harvey lost to C Rice 13-18; Rink 4: Steve Rose lost to Dave Woolf 11-30; Rink 5: Keith Hutchens beat G Moores 22-9; Rink 6: Tudor Lloyd lost to R Lawire 14-22.

Score: Wiltshire beat Bideford Victoria Park 117-100.

v West Backwell (at Backwell, Bristol) Rink 1: Keith Hutchens lost to B Keightley 16-17; Rink 2: Dan Harvey beat M Harding 26-10; Rink 3: Don Fox beat B Budd 27-16; Rink 4: John Southern lost to K Varmer 15-23; Rink 5: Dave Royle beat R Higgins 30-10; Rink 6: Steve Rose beat Pete Sims 29-8.

Score: Wiltshire beat West Backwell 143-84.

THE INDOOR bowling season which runs throughout the winter months has already commenced at Christie Miller, Melksham, Clarrie Dunbar, Standerwick as well as North Wilts, Chippenham.

The various daily league competitions have started, however, the men’s and ladies national championships and competitions in the revamped Area 16 and sections do not kick into gear until the end of October.

Once again Christie Miller, North Wilts and Clarrie Dunbar will contest the men’s regional Wessex League - a four rink competition with two rinks home and two away.

The three clubs will compete in the seven team Central Region alongside Bristol, Thornbury, Nailsea and Purnell (Paulton).

Central section fixtures begin on Sunday,November 6 with Christie Miller facing Bristol and Clarrie Dunbar playing Purnell.

North Wilts enter the fray on Sunday, November 20 when they meet Purnell. The big two in the central section Clarrie Dunbar and Bristol clash on this date while Christie play Nailsea.