A WEEK of Kingsteignton Bowls Club began on June 4 as the Y element of KBC Over 55’s travelled to Dawlish Marina to be entertained on Marina’s lawn, reports Rik Perfect.

This one finished 33-35 to KBC (2-6 pts). R Frost 12, Bill Beech 23; D Olden 21, Martin Redfern 12. A good result for the KBC team and although only a win by two shots, enough was done to carve out an overall win.

The weather forecast was not good and given that Marina watered their green before play KBC players didn’t have high hopes of a win. Also playing at number two, Marina had two county players.

In the Olden/ Redfern game, KBC had a bad start going 6-0 down after four ends. However, KBC rallied taking seven shots on the next three ends, one of them being a 5-shotter.

It was then nip and tuck with KBC keeping the score down to only one each end. Captain Bill Beech said Martin Redfern’s team did well to hold the Marina lads to a 21-12 final result.

One of the KBC players said skipper Bill was on fire and lady luck was also on his side. Bill Beech also said that KBC dominated the game pretty much after that.

KBC bowlers were pleased with a good result away against a top team. The match was played in good spirit and excellent surroundings.

Also on Tuesday 4, KBC Over 55’s X Div played away on Teignmouth Den’s lawn. 48-26 to the Den (8-0 pts). P Neal 29, Ian Westaway 12; B Bray 19, John Saunders 14.

Two contrasting results here with KBC’s Ian Westaway being unable to recover from dropping seven shots on end six.

The other rink was a much closer affair with Brendan Bray and John Saunders. A lovely final wood from Brendan turned a 2-shot deficit into a 2-shot advantage, which John narrowly missed retrieving with the final bowl of the match.

KBC captain John Saunders said they all enjoyed the match even considering KBC lost on both rinks. It’s a nice venue and lawn at Teignmouth being right on the seafront and everyone enjoyed the morning bowls. Also a big well done to The Den players.

Moving onto June 5 and Kingsteignton welcomed Paignton bowlers to play in the Riviera Mixed Triples League.

The weather was quite rainy on the morning and there was debate whether the match would start. Both captains decided to play a reduced match of 13 ends (the minimum required) instead of the standard 18 ends, with tea and refreshments to follow.

50-27 to KBC (8-2 pts). John Saunders 8, B Hodges 9; Derek Tout 15, G Hanson 9; Margaret Sole 27, J Smith 9.

Two rinks were hard-fought in this match with Paignton bowlers putting up a good show on KBC’s slick all-weather surface. The Tout/Hanson result was made better by KBC picking up a 5-shot gain on the penultimate end.

On the Sole/Smith rink, KBC had a very convincing and enjoyable win. In the main, the rain was only light and everybody seemed to enjoy the bowls and the atmosphere was very friendly. As arranged, the morning culminated with refreshments at the conclusion of the match.

On Friday 6, Kingsteignton ladies welcomed ladies from Paignton Torbay BC to play in the South Devon Ladies Bowl League (SDLBL). 93-24 to KBC (10-0 pts).

Sue Hancock 37, J Giles 10; Jackie Carr 18, S Wallbank 10, Margaret Sole 38, A Platt 4.

KBC captain Margaret Sole said that the match was played in a very good spirit and the lovely ladies from Paignton Torbay were very friendly and forthcoming.

Margaret was particularly pleased that all the KBC ladies stepped up to the plate and everybody played an excellent game. Admittedly KBC were on home ground and they had the confidence of local territory and a familiar all-weather surface to bowl on.

The Paignton skipper said that hopefully they can reciprocate the scores when KBC have to go and play on Paignton’s lawn.