​Both the Budleigh Otters and Beavers were involved in important matches in the Exeter and District Triples League, the results of which would determine if their promotion hopes would stay alive.
The Beavers travelled to top of the table South Molton on a red hot day not over confident in getting a result. But what a performance it was as they made the long trip home with six important points in the bag.
Robin Grenyer, Andy Skudder and skip Brian Ward pulled off an impressive 22-9 victory whilst Ted Shanahan, Les Gay and Bryan Membery fought a close contest and whilst losing their rink by five shots did enough for the team to win the overall match.
With just one match left to play for the Beavers against Honiton a win would certainly give them a chance to finish in the top two of division 8.
The Otters suffered a disappointing loss to Marina last week but bounced back with a fine win over Sidmouth. Peter Evans, Andy Cardy and David Roberts were always in control and surged to a 27-12 victory. On the other rink Paul Griffin, Mike James and Peter Cooper played well and were in contention until the last few ends when the visitors picked up the pace and ran out 18-9 winners. Nevertheless the overall result saw the Otters complete a welcome victory which keeps them in the hunt for promotion.
Next up for the Otters is a home match against local rivals Madeira.

​It was our turn to host teams from the other local clubs this afternoon for our annual Victory Cup.  Teams from Ottery, Sidmouth, Exonia, Phear Park, Honiton and Madeira accepted our invitation.  However, Honiton pulled out due to their players  contracting Covid and only one player from Madeira turned up, without his teammates, much to his disappointment. It is a mystery as to where the others were.  A Budleigh ladies team were brought in to make up the numbers for the round robin. It was an enjoyable,  competitive afternoon. The showers were not enough to stop play. At close of proceedings we all waited anxiously to hear the winners being announced by our Captain, Tony, while we enjoyed a delicious cream tea and cakes from the Shaldon Bakery in Budleigh.  We had held the Victory cup for the last two years, but it was taken away this year by the Ottery team, pictured below, who had a significant victory. Well done.
Well done to the team of three Budleigh ladies, Jackey, Evelyn and Angela as they got the highest score of the Budleigh teams. Their exuberant enthusiasm was evident all through the afternoon!​

​Summer was here for a couple of days and a beautiful day for Feniton to visit Budleigh. Sadly Feniton could only field three triples teams, so our spare team members played our three reserves to make up the four rinks.
Even with reduced numbers, Feniton achieved a win on two rinks and the overall score was a narrow defeat for the home team 46-48. Trevor, one of our new members who joined in May and had never bowled before, played his first match and said he thoroughly enjoyed it. He is a good player, and he certainly wasn’t outclassed by the opposition.

With both the Budleigh Beavers and the Otters involved in important mid season matches in the Exeter & District Over 60s Triples League there was an expectation that wins for both teams would be possible.
The Beavers away to Ottery Eagles delivered in fine style with an overall away win 34-23.
Andy Skudder, Brian Ward and skip Terry Flynn won comfortably 19-10 whilst Ted Shanahan, Roy Ardiss and skip Bryan Membery secured their win on the last end 15-13 to secure a welcome eight points.
This win puts the Beavers in second place in their division.

​The Otters with two regular players unavailable were looking for an overall win to keep their promotion hopes in tact but in another close tussle against Cullompton at home it was not to be as the visitors took home six points with an overall 34-31 victory. Andy Cardy skipping Paul Griffin and Peter Evans won their rink 19-16 whilst Norman Upchurch, Gordon Marshall and Peter Cooper lost out 12-18.
The Otters still remain in the top half of the division with a game in hand on their nearest rivals but if they are serious in getting back to division 2 at the first attempt they need to now go on a winning run.​

​Four of us took part in the Howard Cottrell Competition yesterday at Honiton. It was a round robin, with teams from Budleigh, Ottery, Lyme Regis, Madeira and Sidmouth playing rinks against five home teams, proudly attired in their new club shirts. It was a warm and sunny afternoon, we were served sandwiches and cake mid way through and drinks from the bar after the match. All this in a wonderful, friendly, jovial atmosphere. One of the home teams won the cup with a score of plus 16. No other scores were broadcast, so in our minds we can believe we were runners up!  A very enjoyable afternoon and thanks go to Honiton for the invitation. It’s always a pleasure to visit their club.

​Our top male over 60’s players may well have been playing elsewhere, but the men who volunteered for the Budleigh Ladies v Men friendly match did a very good job of thrashing the ladies’ teams on three rinks out of four. It was an opportunity for several new members, who only joined in May, to play in a competitive match with friendly, familiar faces and we hope they all enjoyed the experience. It was great to see that they had already purchased our club kit, in readiness for joining in more matches in the future perhaps? 
After a few dismal days of rain, the sun shone for us and we enjoyed good company and good, friendly but competitive banter. A fun afternoon and us ladies look forward to the re-match, which we hope can be arranged before the end of the season.

​Mixed Results for Budleigh Otters and Beavers in the Exeter & District Over 60s Triples League.
The Budleigh Otters travelled to local rivals Phear Park seeking revenge for the loss they suffered at home earlier in the season. That match was decided by one shot and this return match developed into a similar tight contest.
Paul Griffin, Andy Cardy and skip David Roberts took control midway through the match with a seven shot lead only for their opponents to fight back to within one shot with three ends to go. But a strong finish by the Budleigh trio saw them run out 20-15 winners.
With the other rink of Norman Upchurch, Gordon Marshall and Peter Cooper still playing and losing by five shots with two ends to go the outcome of this overall match was very much in the balance. Phear Park took the overall lead on end seventeen but a great final end with three shots to Budleigh clinched the overall win by two and six valuable points.
Budleigh Beavers were involved in a similar tight tussle and put in a great effort in their match at Hemyock but just lost out overall by two shots 32-34.

​Yesterday was our first match this season against Chardstock, as unfortunately the previous away game had been cancelled due to torrential rain. 
Always a pleasure to welcome the friendly bunch to Budleigh, especially as they brought pots of their delicious home made jam and marmalade, which had been ordered by Robin and John. 
It was challenging playing in the strong, gusty wind and we had to hold on to our hats when bowling at the far end.
The home team gradually pulled ahead on three rinks and continued the advance after tea, to achieve a win of 72 - 52. A lovely afternoon with a lot of jolly, friendly banter.  Well done to all.

On a cold summer’s evening at the Budleigh home of bowls there was an air of excitement as the home team played their semi final match against Sidmouth buoyed by two fine earlier round wins.
Five disciplines played on five rinks simultaneously with the first few ends painting a positive position for Sidmouth but as the evening progressed there was optimism in the home camp as the Triples and Pairs went in front and the two singles matches became very close.
All interest pointed to the 4 wood and 2 wood singles as it was clear that victory in one of these disciplines would tilt the balance in Budleigh’s favour and with the Pairs and Triples still ahead there was hope.
Paul Griffin was valiantly fighting back in the 2 wood but just lost out 11-13 whilst Peter Evans was making an incredible recovery from 9-18 down to lead 20-19 only to be pipped at the last end 20-21. What a performance against a great Sidmouth bowler Ken Wheeler.
The Pairs of Andy Cardy and David Roberts won the Pairs 17-13 and the Triples of Ted Shanahan, Brian Ward and skip Peter Cooper also won their match by two shots but with the 2 wood fours unable to match the dominance of the Sidmouth team it was the visitors who narrowly took the tie 3-2.
A great night and whilst there was disappointment not to reach the final the club must reflect positively on the progress made in this competition.
A big thank you to all the players who took part and once again to Melissa Camp and Evelyn Crook for acting as markers.
Congratulations to Sidmouth who progress to the final against Ottery St Mary.

​Photo of happy bowlers before the Sidmouth match yesterday. No photo after the match as the faces might not have looked so happy!  A disappointing defeat on all four rinks. But an enjoyable afternoon regardless.