The 2022/23 indoor bowling season has drawn to a close and all thoughts have turned to the start of the outdoor season on April 19.

The greens are looking good and Joy Penberthy has been busy all winter in her prize-winning gardens. There’s an exciting season ahead, including the Police National Finals, which Madeira BC is hosting over four days in September.

Leagues play a large part in the indoor season and the Ladies have two leagues, the Australian Pairs and Triples. Team 2 led by Carole Worth, playing with Myra Furminger, Angie Fish and Margaret Mahon won the Pairs with 24 points and the triples league was won with 30 points by Jenny Smith and her team of Jean Rainton, Ann Maloney, Joan Cowing, Lin Hambly and Jenny Charles.

There is a Thursday evening Open Australian Pairs League, which Team 5 won with 28 points having been led by Sandie Cox, playing with Glynis Byrn, Janine Orchard, Jenny Charles, Chris Reed and Jude Latta.

The Men’s Monday league was won by Keith Edwards and his team of Ian Munro, Gordon Medlock, Mike Holmes, Steve Bennett, Mike Turff and Matthew Tyne. Gordon Medlock was also in the winning team of the Thursday league led by Steve Stott playing with Bob Walker, John Bellamy, Ian Upton and Alan Porter.

In external competition, the ladies did well in the Foxlands Green League, this year played as triples. They had 24 points, not far short of the winner’s 27. So far as the Men’s Section is concerned Secretary Ron Cook said: “Our best performance was in the Over 60's League where we came fourth in a League of eight."

The Bert Webb Trophy for novice bowlers was held last Saturday organised by club coach Chris Reed. And the winners of the two sections played in the final with Jon Lee-Smith emerging the winner to worthy runner-up, Frank Roberts.

The season came to a close with Captain’s Day arranged by Mike Norman who has done an excellent job this season juggling his captaincy with being House Manager. Jenny Smith and her team of Alan Halpin, Angie Fish and Mike Holmes were pleased with their overall win of all three games and a score of plus 20.

The club is holding an Open Day on May 13.