Finals day for the Mid Devon Bowls League

The summer season came to an end for the Mid Devon Bowling League with a total of five finals at the picturesque Abbrook Park Bowling Club in Kingsteignton, writes competitions secretary Colin Whiley.
The day kicked off with a new game the Officers Cup, which we hope to make an annual addition to the Finals Day programme, the brainchild of President Lionel, involving the host club and the MDL Committee, with Abbrook emerging as the victors.
It was a match of familiarity in the first semi-final of the MDL Cup, as Babbacombe A triumphed over Babbacombe B, with the A team relying on a magical effort from skipper Rory Levy to seal a tight win.
It was a similar story in the second semi-final, where Torbay County Club B raced into a 7-2 lead over Torbay Country Club A. The A Team then started to play and by the 15th end were 23 – 11 ahead. The second turnaround of the game saw the B team take 14 points to tie the scores at 25 all after 21 ends. The B Team won the extra end, which meant a final against Babbacombe A for them in the afternoon.
The Triples match was R Horrell, R Milne & T Sandelance (Abbrook Park) v G Budge, J Heard & S Coll (Brixham St. Mary). The Abbrook Park boys, with the advantage of playing on their home green, were 7 – 1 up after 5 ends. They continued to score consistently and took the trophy with a score of 17 – 9.
In the Pairs, B Smith & T Leach (Paighton) played D Farley & J Richardson (Brixham). Brixham were 7 – 1 up after 5 ends. The Paignton boys then won 10 of the next 11 ends to take a 16 – 8 lead. Despite a spirited comeback from Brixham, it was too little too late, Paignton winning the game by 17 shots to 14.
In the Singles, Jamie Phillips (Marldon) took on Bob Bushell (Paighton). Bob had the better start and was 5 – 0 up after 3 ends. Jamie then won the next 4 ends to take a 10 – 5 lead. Bob got back to within 3 shots, however Jamie, with his last bowl on the 20th end, took the jack into the ditch, scoring 3 points and taking the trophy by 21 shots to 15.
Back to the MDL Cup Final in hot conditions, Babbacombe made the better start of the two teams and were leading 10 shots to 6 at the halfway point. The two teams were evenly matched throughout the second half of the game and Babbacombe A went on to win the game by 21 points to 14.
A big thank you to all the members of Abbrook Park for their hospitality on the day. With special thanks to the Caterers, Bar staff and not forgetting the Greenkeeper and all involved with the green. Also, thanks to Lionel for all his support in my first year of organising the competitions.