Devon ladies’ president Lesley Crutchley (South Hams) and the Atherley Trophy inter-county team were well beaten in the quarter-finals of this season’s competition, going down to Dorset 129-88 at Weymouth writes Tony Atkins.
With a player left behind at a pick-up point in Plymouth and the coach driver getting lost in Exeter, it was to be a rushed arrival at the Moonfleet IBC venue where it was an uphill struggle for Devon after that.
Crutchley was one of three players involved from the Quayside Leisure Centre and was in the original team selected, along with Mavis Wellington. Reserve Diane Smith was called up to play.
Devon had manage one winning rink in that of Rosemary Hirons (Honiton), Beryl Willis (Mid-Devon), Shirley Hiscock (Honiton) and skip Jill Bishop (Sidmouth.
There was a draw for ex-international Barbara Bellamy (Torquay), supported by Susan Bywaters (Torbay), Joan Heard (Honiton) and Sue Devonport (Torbay), but defeats for skips’ Hilary Avent (Plymouth), Val Lander (Plymouth), Julia Barnes (Torquay Utd) and Maureen Robertson (Mid-Devon).
An equally disappointing day was endured by Harry Goodwin and the Devon men’ Liberty Trophy team that saw the reigning England champions beaten in the quarter-finals by Wiltshire 126-108 at Isca.
Goodwin played at three behind skip and Commonwealth Games-bound Louis Ridout and the Devon rink drew 20-20 with Kyle Anderson after coming back to score successive doubles at the close.
Overall it was a poor team who manged just two wins from six games played, courtesy of England stars Ian Bond and Sam Tolchard. “It was a match we should never have lost,” said Harry Goodwin.
Devon were forced to make four changes from the 24-strong team originally selected. A big miss was skip Danny Denison. An altercation along the coast at an hotel in Bournemouth saw Denison bite of more than he could chew and a subsequent bruised and battered body – not to mention a broken left leg – saw his withdrawal from the team, and also from this week’s world indoor event at Hopton-on Sea, Norfolk.
In the men’s County Top Club, South Hams had a terrific win over Honiton, winning 4-1. Mike Mitchelmore won the 2-Wood singles 21-14; Anthony Hammett won the 4-Wood singles 21-11 and Frank Senft and Matt Hammett won the pairs 22-17.
The fourth rubber – the fours – saw Eric Williams, Dan Hurrell, Ron Elson and John Yeabsley victorious 18-16.
South Hams only loss came in the triples with Bill McKimm, John Harding and Barry Geldard missing out 22-11.