With the 2018 outdoor bowling season rapidly drawing to a close, last weekend was the Ottery St Mary club finals where all the internal competitions are decided, writes Michael Smith.

Sidmouth Herald: Frank Jones and Steve Goodenough, winners of the Ottery St Mary men’s pairs. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDFrank Jones and Steve Goodenough, winners of the Ottery St Mary men’s pairs. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

This year’s honours must go to Leighton Burston, who, although an experienced bowler, landed no fewer than three trophies; a great way to end his first season with the club!

Leighton won the men’s four-woods, the Otter Trophy and the open four-woods, which also means that Leighton is the new club champion – a terrific performance indeed!

It must also be reported that Sharon Kenny was another ‘Star of the Show’, for she too came away with three trophies.

Sharon won the ladies’ two-woods, the ladies’ four-woods and the mixed triples, in which she played with Gail Hawke and skip John Pethick.

Sidmouth Herald: Maurice Flower, winner of the Fred Burgess Trophy at Ottery St Mary. Picture CONTRIBUTEDMaurice Flower, winner of the Fred Burgess Trophy at Ottery St Mary. Picture CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

Margaret Bright had another good year picking up two trophies; first, the ladies’ four-woods pairs, in which she played with Val Jones, and then she paired up with Brian Baker to win the Maurice Jennings Pairs.

Congratulations, to Steve Goodenough, who also picked up two awards, winning the men’s two-woods and the men’s four-woods pairs with partner Frank Jones.

Steve Hall won the open three-woods and Fenella Griggs and Kevin Vernon won the nominated mixed pairs.

The Fred Burgess Trophy is contested by new players in their first two years of bowls and this time round it was awarded to Maurice Flower – let’s hope it’s the first of many honours that Maurice wins.

Sidmouth Herald: Leighton Burston, the new Ottery St Mary club champion, who also won the open four-woods, the men’s four-woods and the Otter Trophy. Picture CONTRIBUTEDLeighton Burston, the new Ottery St Mary club champion, who also won the open four-woods, the men’s four-woods and the Otter Trophy. Picture CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

A fine weekend’s bowling ended on Sunday evening with another sumptuous Ottery Bowls Club barbecue provided through the hard work of John and Terri Ward and Ann and Terry House.

Of course, many club members contributed to making the weekend a special occasion, so thank you to all who took part and helped out in whatever way.

Sidmouth Herald: Margaret Bright and Val Jones, winners of the Ottery St Mary ladies pairs. Picture CONTRIBUTEDMargaret Bright and Val Jones, winners of the Ottery St Mary ladies pairs. Picture CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Kevin Vernon and Fenella Griggs, winners of the Ottery St Mary nominated mixed pairs. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDKevin Vernon and Fenella Griggs, winners of the Ottery St Mary nominated mixed pairs. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)