Ottery St Mary ladies endured a ‘bad week’ in the Over-50s League, writes Michael Smith.

They were first beaten at Shaldon where they went down on both rinks contested and then suffered a similar fate at home to Exonia who departed with victories on both rinks.

There was better news for the men in their matches in the Over-60s Triples League.

The B team won well away at Okehampton C, claiming success on both rinks and banking all eight points.

The C team were also on cloud nine after they claimed their first win of the season, beating Topsham D overall and banking six points in the process.

The A team were not so happy! They saw their dismal run of form that has befallen them during the second half of the season as they went down to Heavitree C.

The defeat ends any lingering hopes they harboured of promotion into Division Two.

There were mixed fortunes in the friendly fixtures over the past week.

First up a 59-49 win against Exonia before a narrow two shot defeat, 75-73 to Lyme Regis which was followed by a four rinks to one rink defeat at hands of Feniton.

Ottery travelled to Cullompton for a Two Counties match and lost overall 82-62. There collective cause was not helped by the fact that 62-82, but were not helped by the fact that two of their players managed to get themselves lost and failed to make the start of the match, blaming it on a dodgy sat-nav!

Last, but certainly not least, Ottery St Mary Bowls Club has a new overall champions with the news that Tony Luff has won the Open 4-woods final.

Seventy-year-old Tony proving that age is no barrier as he proved too strong for a much younger Gail Hawke.

This was also Tony’s first singles win in the club championships - just like a bottle of good red wine, Tony seems to improve with age!