DESPITE the disruption caused by the very wet winter and early spring, Chard Bowling Club will begin their lawn bowls season with the traditional Opening of the Green.

The first match of the season is at home to Wellington on Sunday, April 22.

The thriving short mat section is immune to the weather and there have been several matches in the last few weeks.

The Thursday afternoon mixed triples league, sponsored by Milford and Dormor, has concluded.

Harlequins, one of the four Chard teams in the eight team competition, have played excellently throughout and are deserved champions once again; Musbury finished runners-up.

In the East Devon afternoon league Division 1, Chard followed an 8-0 defeat of Awliscombe with victory over Colyton by the same decisive score.

Scores: Glen Milner & David Angold won 11-3 & 10-6; Beatrice Callaghan & Gillian Leighton won 10-5 & 11-8; George Milner won 7-6 & 7-5; Norman Sumpter won 11-5 & 9-3.

Chard then forced a 4-4 draw away at Seaton where everyone won one of their two games:
Denise Hone and Beatrice Callaghan 6-5, Hilary Angold and Jenny Cornelius 7-6, David Angold 9-4 and Norman Sumpter, 7-5.

Chard finished in mid-table in their first season in Division 1.

In Division 2, they had a close match with champions-elect Seaton Blue.

Phil Stringer won both of his singles games 12-2 and 12-3 and Dave Wilkinson won one of his games 13-10 for a 3-5 game score and a 44-63 shot score.

Chard then hosted local rivals Combe St Nicholas and drew 4-4 in games:
Dave Wilkinson won both singles games (7-4 & 8-3), Ena Stringer & Jean Peacock won one (12-8), Margaret Flynn & Roy Vaux won one (10-6).

In a closely-fought friendly against South Petherton, Chard won one, lost two and drew one game; the shot score was 32-29 in South Petherton’s favour.

Scores: Jean Peacock, Phil Stringer & Bob Eeles won 7-5; Jenny Cornelius, Phil Stringer & Ena Stringer drew 8-8.

The Merriott friendly was even closer, each winning twice and scoring 29.

Scores: Margaret Flynn, Dot Ducker & Stan Ducker won 7-6; Jenny Cornelius, Phil Stringer & Ena Stringer won 11-8.

Bowls can be enjoyed by players of all ages and Chard Bowling Club is holding an Open Day on Sunday, May 6 (10am-4pm), with equipment and coaching provided (just bring a pair of flat-soled shoes).

The club can be found off Bond’s Close, Glynswood, TA20 1ED; for more, email peteravery0909@gmail.com