Letchworth and District Bowling Association, under the leadership of president Ron Adams, went on their first tour for four years. Based in Ilfracombe, the tour was six matches around the North Devon area against local clubs and representative sides. The

Letchworth and District Bowling Association, under the leadership of president Ron Adams, went on their first tour for four years.

Based in Ilfracombe, the tour was six matches around the North Devon area against local clubs and representative sides.

The party consisted of bowlers from Whitethorn, Holwell, Datchworth, Hitchin Town, Letchworth Garden City, Riverain, Stevenage Town and Royston along with partners and guests.

The week ended with four wins and two losses. The top man and lady (aggregate scores) of the week were Nolly Houghton and Angela Fabris and the president finished with a 1-5 record.

The week saw almost £700 raised - through fines, events and donations - for the president's charity which this year is the Garden House Hospice.

Day one

The tour began with a game at Bideford BC against a Devon County team assembled from all over the county.

The weather had brightened up considerably but the game was played in incredibly blustery conditions, with woods and bowlers being affected by the strong wind.

As a result, the District struggled to adapt and only managed to win one out of six rinks and lost the game 99 shots to 134.

The winning rink consisted of Mick Butler (Riverain), Ted Day (Letchworth GC) and Colin Males and skip Nolly Houghton (Holwell) who won 17-16.

Other scores (skips only): M Farron 14, D Davies 15; D McKeand 16, R Mullane 25; T Fuller 17, D Bale 25; P Turner 12, S Rivans 26 and D Wright 23, D Cutler 27.

Blunder of the day was by secretary David Wright who left the bag containing the badges, ties and district flag back at the hotel, which cost him £5 towards the president's charity collection!

Day two

For the second game of the week, the ladies made their first appearance, on the green, against Barnstaple BC, helping the district to a 27-shot win by 136 to 109.

Letchworth and District won four out of six rinks, the biggest winners being Colin Salter, Shirley Houghton and Don McKeand (Holwell), skipped by Ted Fuller (Whitethorn), who won 35-14.

Other scores: P Turner 16, D Buxton 29; T Stout 20, J Wallis 16; D Edwards 19, D Merrick 18, D Wright 27, R Roulstone 12 and N Houghton 19, D Newland 20.

Day three

Tuesday saw the continuation of winning ways with the District defeating Byeways BC by 49 shots (145-96); once again winning four out of six rinks.

Top rink this time were Trish Elderfield, Chris Hensler and Barry Platten (Whitethorn), skipped by Nolly Houghton (Holwell), who had the biggest win of the week 35-6.

Other results: P Turner won 21-17, R Adams lost 20-22, D Wright lost 16-24, M Farron won 24-25 and T Fuller won 29-12.

Highlight of the day was watching the worried faces of the local homeowners as the driver manoeuvred the coach through a gap between their bungalows you would struggle to get a small van through!

Day four

The fourth game, on Wednesday, saw the men left to fend for themselves again against a Devon County BA section one team at Rock Park BC.

For the most part they coped admirably, winning by 33 shots, (142-109); the top rink being Mick Butler (Riverain), Colin Hensler (Whitethorn), Terry Stout (Stevenage Town) and skip Don McKeand (Holwell) who won 37-19.

Unfortunately president Ron Adams kept up his 100 per cent losing streak as the rink skipped by district secretary David Wright lost to the section one secretary Bruce Buxton 11-25.

Other scores: N Houghton 27, H Larcombe 10; M Farron 29, D Symons 17; P Turner 18, B Collacutt 20 and T Fuller 20, I Dunham 18.

Highlight of the week was provided by Colin Males, of Holwell, who only realised that it was his birthday when he saw the date at the top of his newspaper!

Day five

The fastest green of the week saw the narrowest win so far as the District beat Great Torrington BC by seven shots (119-112).

The top rink was Louise Wright (Datchworth), Peter Willson and Ron Adams (Whitethorn) and skip Nolly Houghton (Holwell) who won 25-18.

Other scores: D Edwards 19, B Davey 23; T Fuller 21, H Gerry 21; P Turner 15 B Hunt 18; M Farron 18, R Kent 16 and D Wright 21, M Darcy 16.

Day six

The final game was played in the worst weather of the week as the waterproofs came out and the District lost a tight game by seven shots (96-103) to Ilfracombe BC.

Once again the top rink was skipped by Nolly Houghton (Holwell), aided and abetted by John Fabris, Norman Clayson and Angela Fabris (Whitethorn).

They were, in fact, the only winning rink as everybody else struggled in the wind and rain.

Other scores: D McKeand 11, C Webber 24; T Stout 17, G Lovering 19; P Turner 13, R Everest 22; T Ware 14, B Page 16 and C Males 12, J Bane 17.

Highlight of the day was getting off of the green and into some dry clothes!