EARLY July saw Watchet Bowling Club take an under-strength team to Burnham on sea for the first round of the Turnbull Cup, the Somerset Inter-club bowls competition. Watchet found their opponents just too strong on their home turf, despite winning on two of their greens.

WBC v Burnham on Sea – Turnbull Cup, Watchet players only: K Saunders, S Gunner, Phil Bowden, and I Trunks loss 12-21; T Daley, D Bowden, G Woodward, and A Knight win 22-11; E Owen, R Beresford, Pete Bowden, and M Webber loss 8-23; S Waterman, C Bowden, R Groves, and C Rendell win 17-15, WBC 59 shots, Burnham on sea 70 shots.

Saturday, 12th, saw Watchet A playing at home in the county league against Bridgwater A. On one of the hottest days of the year, Watchet secured victory on all three rinks.

WBC v Bridgwater – County League: S Waterman, N Virgin, R Groves, and I Trunks win 25-14; T Daley, E Owen, R Rendell, and A Bryant win 23-16; Pete Bowden, M Webber, A Knight, and R Hooper win 21-20, WBC 69 shots (12 points), Bridgwater 50 shots (0).

Watchet travelled to Bridgwater on 13th to play against Victoria (W-S-M) in the area final of the National Club Two Fours. Watchet won by one shot with the match going down right to the last bowl

.WBC v Victoria (W-S-M.) – National Club Two Fours, Pete Bowden, R Rendell, A Bryant, and J Groves win 20-11; S Waterman, R Groves, S Hooper, I Trunks loss 8-16. WBC 28 shots, Victoria (W-S-M) 27 shots.

Tuesday 15th saw Watchet travel to Eastover Park in the first round of the Wedmore Plate. Watchet won on two rinks and drew on two rinks, winning overall,

WBC v Eastover Park – Wedmore Plate, T Daley, Phil Bowden, R Rendell, and A Bryant, draw 16-16; Pete Bowden, P Keith, G Woodward, and J Groves, win 28-15; S Waterman, N Virgin, A Knight, and R Hooper Win 28-15; E Owen, D Bowden, R Groves, and I Trunks draw 17-17, WBC 89 shots, Eastover Park 63.

On Friday 18th, Watchet travelled to North Petherton to face Congresbury in the last 32 stage of national club two fours. Sadly, Watchet lost by seven shots overall.

WBC v Congresbury – National Club Two Fours, C Rendell, S Hooper, A Bryant, and J Groves loss 11-22; S Waterman, R Groves, R Hooper, and I Trunks win 20-16; WBC 27 shots v Congresbury 34.

Both the Watchet A and B teams were in County League action on Saturday 19th. The A Team hosted Winscombe A and secured a victory by 13 shots, picking up 10 points.

WBC v Winscombe – County League, Pete Bowden, R Rendell, A Bryant, and J Groves win 24-23; Daley, R Groves, S Hooper, and R Hooper win 31-12; S Waterman, M Webber, A Knight, and I Trunks loss 18-25. WBC 73 shots (10 points) v Winscombe 60 shots (2. )The B team were also at home playing against Ilminster E and won by 23 shots, claiming the maximum 12 points. C Bowden, N Virgin, E Owen, and Phil Bowden win 24-15; Anthony, F Powis, H Edwards, and G Woodward win 22-14; K Saunders, P Starmer, D Bowden, and P Keith win 21-15. WBC 67 shots (12 points) v Ilminster 44 shots (0).