​Playing at Pinces Gardens this year was like Groundhog Day.
The threatening grey clouds never delivered any rain. The lead Budleigh had gained before tea was slowly eroded after the boost of the wonderful lemon cake which seemed to work better on the home team as they clawed back to win overall. Maybe that it their secret weapon?
But it was a lovely, friendly, enjoyable match on the quirky green.
It was Torbay Air Show and the sight of the two spitfires and a tornado were maybe too much of a distraction for our players. Budleigh won on only one rink and that win by only one point.
Much of this was exactly what happened on the same day last year!

​The Bowls season in Budleigh is well and truly underway and at this early stage there have been some fine results for the club’s bowlers.
What has been encouraging is the involvement of players in the Devon Section 3 competitions against other club members and to date there have been victories in the first round of the Mixed Pairs for Andy Cardy and Evelyn Crook, Peter and Marilyn Foreman and David Roberts and Jackey Phillips. 
In addition last week has seen the club progress to the second round of the Foxlands Trophy with an overall six shots victory over Sidmouth. Played on both home and away rinks simultaneously Budleigh looked set to win the home rink leading by five shots going into the last few ends only for Sidmouth to finish strongly 25-18. However it was a good performance from Bryan Membery, Les Gay, Peter Cooper and Terry Flynn.
On the away rink a strong showing from Ted Shanahan, Peter Foreman, Brian Ward and skip David Roberts saw a 24-11 win taking Budleigh over the line to secure an outright aggregate victory and a place in the second round against Ottery.
In the Exeter and District Over 60s Triples league there have been contrasting starts for Budleigh’s two teams. The Beavers have secured two impressive away wins at Honiton and Sidmouth whilst the Otters are yet to register their first win with disappointing defeats home to North Tawton and Crediton. Early days in the season and they have the chance to put that right this week with a visit to Feniton, whilst the Beavers play local rivals Phear Park.
A very successful Open Day at the club recently has seen a number of new bowlers join the club and the coaching team of Andy Cardy, Les Gay, Jackey Phillips and Ted Shanahan are busy inducting the new members into the club.

A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon on Sunday when we hosted players from Seaton for a friendly match. The final score was not so friendly for us, it wasn't even a close match!, but the company was good. Well done Seaton

​Another lovely afternoon of bowls at Budleigh in the warm sunshine.
The friendly teams from Topsham were our guests and they gave us a competitive game. Before tea they just had the edge but we were rejuvenated by the refreshments and short rest and came back to take the lead on three rinks, giving us a narrow overall victory of 64/55.
Well done to all.

​A beautiful sunny afternoon for our visit to Ottery on Tuesday afternoon. It was a close fought match for a while but then Ottery forged ahead and the final score was 70 - 56 to the home team.
We will be looking for revenge later in the summer when they come to Budleigh.

Our postponed season opening event was very successful and attended by 27 members. The spider and round robin competitions took place on Saturday on a lovely afternoon. 
The Spider competition was won by Rosemary and the Round Robin competition was won by the team of Ted, Lynda and Ann. Well done to them. 
Thanks to Tony Mackness for all his hard work in organising the afternoon, which ran smoothly and everyone knew where they had to be and when.  Thanks also to Ann and her team for providing the tea and cakes.