ILMINSTER bowler Will Anderson is through to the final stage of the national Over-60s singles competition, after winning the area final, 21-16, against Barry Paterson (Moonfleet BC) at Yeovil on Saturday.

Anderson’s opponent in the final stage will be M Smith (Malvern Hills BC).

Also on Saturday, Ilminster played a two-rink match in the Somerset and Devon Mixed League, at home to North Petherton.

Ilminster won one rink, lost one rink and lost overall by four shots (35-31).

Scores: Olli Collins, Eddie Read, Hilary Leamon & Maureen Mitchell 17, D Thomas 14; Steve Peasland, Ann Eckley, John Mitchell & Dave Pugh 14, M Payne 21.

On Sunday, the visitors were Stour Vale for a three-rink friendly, with the home team winning two of the three rinks, losing on one and triumphing 67-50.

Scores: Denise Fisher, Barbara Ball, Pete Fisher & Roger Lench 16, Dick Discombe 17; Olli Collins, Norma Pugh, David Pugh & Eric Keitch 23, Fred Furlong 14; Steve Peasland, Hilary Leamon, Ken Leamon & Barry Sims 28, Roy Marks 19.

The week before, Ilminster men made it into the semi-finals of the double rink after a one-shot win over Weston St Andrew’s.

Scores: home - Peter Bromfield, Peter Mattravers, Steve Turner and Ian Lightfoot 22, L Stocker 21; away - Levi Hembrow, Alan Holt, Will Anderson and Matt Hamilton 21, B Forse 21.

In the Somerset & Devon Mixed League, Ilminster went to Mid-Devon (Tiverton), the hosts winning on a higher shot difference.

Ilminster: Oli Collins, Norma Pugh, John Mitchell, David Pugh; Steve Peasland, Tony Cole, Heather Grinter, Maureen Mitchell.

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FOUR young bowlers from Ilminster Bowling Club - Edward Bidgood, Rueben Bidgood, Leo Bonning and Oli Collins - recently took part in the Somerset School of Excellence.

Collins and Bonning claimed the junior and senior titles, respectively, with Holyrood Academy's 12-year-old Collins picking up his third successive title.

Bidgood also had a good day, coming third in the junior section.

The day of competition is based around the skills within the game of lawn bowls of delivering the jack, drawing to a given length and playing weight, plus a singles match competition. 

The newly-formed junior section at Ilminster Bowling and Tennis Club is led by coach Mark Denslow who, with a team of helpers, has raised the standard of bowling in coaching sessions witch develop an enjoyment of the game through practical fun tasks to develop individual technique.

Denslow said: "I am very proud of the way our youngsters conducted themselves on the day.

"They are a credit to the club and we all look forward to their continued success in the game; they are the future of our sport."