Town played host to Ipplepen in the final match of the South Devon Mixed Bowling League. Ipplepen had a resounding victory on their artificial green earlier in the season and Town hoped that the visitors would struggle on grass. Town opened up a 28-17 lead at the half way stage and looked to be on course for a large victory. However, Ipplepen had other ideas as they keenly contested all 3 rinks and led by 3 shots with 4 ends to play but Town then found fresh reserves as they fought back in a frantic finish to win by 4 shots, 50-46. Town scored 6 league points to the visitor’s 2.
On Eric Fitch’s rink, counts of 4 and 5 gave them a 15-7 lead after 11 ends but Ipplepen reduced the lead to 15-13 at 15 ends but 5 shots in the last 3 ends gave them a crucial 5 shot win. Keith Brayne’s trio led 11-4 at 11 ends but then dropped counts of 7 and 4 as the visitors took a 4 shot lead, 11-17. Town then staged a fightback to score 8 shots in the last 4 ends to shade the match by 2 shots. On Keith Baston’s rink, Town led by 5-2 after 6 ends but the away side scored 7 shots in the next 5 ends to lead 5-9 and they ran out winners by 5 shots.
Details:- Colin Harvey, Sandra Brayne, Eric Fitch won 20-13. Tony Walters, Keith Collins, Keith Brayne won 19-17. Julie Hadley, Peter Hadley. Keith Baston lost 11-16.
So after a bitter sweet season Town finished bottom of the league but this was tempered by a great victory in the League Cup.