Ottery St Mary bowlers have been busy with league matches and friendly encounters, including visits from touring sides, writes Michael Smith.

The Otters welcomed near neighbours Feniton for the first friendly of the week, losing the match 76-85 and by three rinks to one, the winning Ottery rink was that of Terri Ward, Frank Jones, Shirley Fewtrell and skip Brian Baker with a 27-20 success.

Last week also saw the start of a new men’s Over-60s League campaign and such has been the response from members that Ottery have been able to enter a fourth team in this year’s league competition.

The A team visited Sidmouth A, losing the match 28-39, but with Tony Luff, Peter Jones and skip Terry House winning on their rink 21-14.

The B team were away to Morchard Bishop B where they suffered a 45-21 defeat, losing on both rinks.

The C team’s game was unfortunately postponed due to a waterlogged green at Ottery and so it was left to the D team to salvage some pride on the first week of the campaign, which they duly did, winning on both rinks and by 53-24 at home to Honiton C.

Maurice Flower, Ken Dennis and skip John Ward were the top rink, recording a fine 29-7 victory.

Ottery then played host to Phear Park. The rinks were shared with two each, but Ottery came out victors overall by 88-57, thanks in part to a thumping 39-6 win by Eric Richardson, Carol Bennett, Kevin Vernon and skip Gail Hawke.

Once again Ottery were very pleased to welcome the first touring side of the year and for well over 20 years Westlecot have been the club to visit Ottery first.

On a glorious day the teams shared the rinks, with Ottery just coming out overall winners in a wonderfully friendly match.

The next day saw another touring side visiting Ottery; this time it was the West Midlands Police, and, on an even hotter day, the rinks were again shared two apiece with one rink drawn. The overall score saw Ottery come out on top 102-76, the best Ottery rink being that of Lynn Snow, Chris Hawke, Shirley Fewtrell and skip Tony Panzeri winning 29-7.

For more information on all aspects of the club you can visit www.otterystmarybowlingclub.com or contact Mike Smith on 01404 811195.