Stoke Fleming Bowling Club

Last Saturday saw Stoke play their last game of the season in the Mid-Devon League, at home to Starcross. Although neither team could gain promotion, as they were lying third and fourth respectively and there were not enough games in hand to catch the leaders, Stoke wanted to avenge the defeat they received when they played at Starcross earlier in the season. Stoke started well, with three of the four rinks up after the first five ends and with an eleven-shot advantage overall. The only rink struggling at this stage was the rink skipped by Mark Jordan. And unfortunately for Mark and his team, it didn't get any better, as they struggled throughout the afternoon to get to grips with the line and length, winning only seven of the 21 ends played. By contrast, Mark's son Joel, who was skipping the rink at the other end of the green, started brightly against a very strong Starcross four and gradually pulled away to lead by 19-8 after 13 ends. Some excellent bowling by their opponents, however, saw them win six of the final eight ends to pull things back to all square at the end. Two games finished and only one point to show for it, perhaps Stoke would not be able to turn the tables after all. The result was, however, never in doubt, as the two rinks skipped by Tony Dore and Mike Hyne stormed ahead to record easy victories. Indeed, Dore's rink only dropped shots on five of the 21 ends to thrash their opposition by 19 shots. Hyne also looked like dishing out another big win, being up 17-3 at tea, but dropping a few scores late in the game, they allowed their opponents to at least record a respectable score. Rink one: Mike Faulkner, Stan Dease, Mike Jordan and Mark Jordan lost 11-23 Rink two: Bill Atkinson, Derek Darch, Arthur Wotton and Tony Dore won 27-8. Rink three: John Haynes, Bill Rowe, Peter Sandell and Mike Hyne won 25-19. Rink four: Tony Holley, Luke Bryant, Paul Lobb and Joel Jordan drew 21-21. Overall an 84-71 victory and another 11 points to add to Stoke's tally in the league. In the end, a very satisfying season for the villagers, who had set their benchmark, as being able to secure their position in the league, which they comfortably achieved. Next year they are hopeful of making that extra push to perhaps make a serious challenge to mix it with the big boys in the Premiership