Match Report
Match Report - 30 Jun 2025, Tiverton Canal Bowling Club East of Exe beat Wellington
A very warm, hot in fact, sunny evening. The green, looking parched and very quick. Initial signs suggested Wellington were getting the hang of the green better than Tiverton Canal, comfortably taking the lead on three of the four rinks. Thankfully, this wasn't to last as the home players got into their stride. Three rinks in particular, looked much in control, that of Phil Atkins, 13 - 8 after eleven, Pete Sheppard's, 13 - 8 after twelve and Stewart Maddock's, 15 - 10, picking up a '5' on the twelfth. John Gutteridge's rink, however, were having to battle it out after dropping a '5' on the eighth end, with both teams finding it difficult to draw effectively. In this situation, luck plays a big part and John got a bit of fortune when down at least '3' with a firing shot that went too narrow, came in off a front/side bowl onto the Jack which rolled back to a Canal bowl for shot. This appeared crucial as Wellington were looking very ominous at the time and continued to do so, even going 9 - 12 ahead after thirteen ends. But thanks to some exceptional bowling from Kevin Parkin, in particular, John's side were able to get on top and, despite a dangerous last end where Wellington's skip almost knocked the Jack back to potentially pick up multiple shots, finished seemingly, but not in reality, a comfortable 17 - 12 ahead.
Meanwhile, Phil Atkin's side enjoyed a good tussle, finishing 18 - 14, Pete Sheppard's side kept themselves ahead and finished strongly for the highest winning rink, 22 - 12.
Stewart Maddock's took a different turn after that '5' they picked up, their opposition securing three ends to go 15 - 17 ahead. Stewart and his side, bowled well to secure a '4' to regain the lead by two shots, Wellington then got a single so it was down to last end, where a '3' went to Stewart's side for another, hard but well earned win, 22 - 18.
TCBC = 4 Winning Rinks (79 Shots) 12 Points
Wellington = 0 Winning Rinks (56 Shots) 0 Points
A huge win and with news that Wellington only picked up 2 Points away to Uffculme the previous week, surely this should set us on the way to secure top spot in Division 'B' if it hasn't already?
Tiverton Canal Bowling Club East of Exe 79 - 56 Wellington