Royal Leamington Spa and Southam United bowlers back on the green

Results round-up from opening games of the new season
Bowlers back on the green last Sunday at Southam United for the annual President's v Captain's matchBowlers back on the green last Sunday at Southam United for the annual President's v Captain's match
Bowlers back on the green last Sunday at Southam United for the annual President's v Captain's match

After having had most of last season wiped out by the pandemic, Royal Leamington Spa’s men got the 2021 season under way with their traditional opening fixture, away at Rugby.

Despite social-distancing requirements restricting the match to only 3 rinks, it was a very welcome return to action for all the players, all the more so because of the glorious spring sunshine. Captain Bill Claridge, Paul Smith, Greville Reader and skip Dave Turner, led the way for Spa, opening up a 15-0 lead after just 6 ends. With Ray White and Dick Williams skipping for Spa in close encounters in the other two games, Spa always looked in control of the match and with just 5 of the 21 ends remaining wins on all rinks looked a possibility.

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Whilst Williams did just managed to edge a narrow 15-14 win in a hard-fought contest, a mini Rugby revival saw them take 9 late shots to come from behind and finish with a 23-16 win against Ray White. However, the result of the match was never in doubt, with Turner completing a comfortable 36-8 victory to steer Spa to a convincing 67-45 overall win.

Southam's return to the green after lockdown resulted in a heavy loss away to Avenue, Leamington Spa 60-32, the mixed match limited to three rinks owing to Covid restrictions. The only winning rink was skipped by Denis Ward with Bob Jardine, Rosalie Ward, Barbara Godfrey who led from start to finish 3-2 at 5 ends, 8-3 at 10 ends and finally getting over the line by one shot 13-12.

David Adnitt (skip) Terry Dunne, Jim Lyne, John Dover were in catch up throughout their game 3-6 down at 5 ends, 11-9 down at 10 ends losing 13-22.

Wendy Jeffs (skip) Marie Bromwich, Jim Lyne, John Dover also had a similar fate 2-7 down at 5 ends, 3-13 down at 10 ends losing 6-26.

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They suffered another loss in their mixed three rink match away to Home Guard 37-46.

One rink managed a draw which was skipped by Ted Coupe with Stuart Rowley, Carol Bradley, Bob Jardine they got off to a good start and were 6-2 up at 5 ends 11-3 up at 10 ends but lost their way and the home team rallied to end the game 13-13.

Wendy Jeffs (skip) David Adnitt, Barbara Godfrey, Ken Tredgold were 6-9 down at 5 ends, 8-12 down at 10 ends and although they pulled back they just failed to overcome the home team losing by one shot 15-16.

Denis Ward (skip) Colin Baldwin, Peter Godfrey, John Dover came out second best in their game 2-4 down at 5 ends, 3-8 down at 10 ends losing 9-17.

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