AS expected the 2014 tour to south Devon for the intrepid gentlemen bowlers of Windsor Bowling Club of Penarth was a triumph of organisation and on and off the green success.

Closeted in combat at the White Hart Hotel in the country’s capital visits were made to the Exonia, Madeira, Topsham and Isle of Wedmore bowling clubs. Although the only victory for the Windsor came on the first day, the players were adamant that the excess of both food and drink played no part in the ensuing defeats.

In the first game the rink of Austin Meredith, Steve Ellard, and John Skone with skip John Hardess were the outstanding rink.

The following day on the magnificent green right on the Exmouth sea front that accolade went to Ian Mathias, Michael Cuccinello, Phillip Parry and Trevor Warburton. Prior to the game the old sea salts cruised the River Exe and where instructed on seamanship by Captain Phillip Parry who had once gone down with his sunken vessel on the Brecon Canal.

Third game up was the old Devon Port of Topsham where a gale force wind played Havoc. Luckily for Martin Dorrel, John Worlock and Alun Daniel their skip was none other than the ships surgeon on Nelson Victory, Alan Dudley who was able with his experienced sea legs to guide them to port and star board and a noble win.

The last match as the homeward passage began was against the Isle of Wedmore Bowling Club in the middle of the Somerset Levels. If Topsham was windy, this day was gale force ten and it was fortuitous that roped to their zimmer frames the motley crew managed to finish the game without mutiny.

The four victorious Windsor lads were Tommy Owens, David Adams, John Skone and Max Boyce impersonator Derek Davies. Due to the prevailing conditions over the four days, a club record of the order of the wrong bias were handed out and television slow motion playbacks were required to convince Derek Davies that he was guilty of such a demeanour.

All four clubs at which they played along with Wetherspoons, Naval white ensign club and numerous hostelries and coffee houses were entertained by the Windsor Boys Choir under their musical director Sir Harry Watters a protégé of the great Malcolm Sergeant. Many humorous anecdotes and stories were relayed by comedian extraordinaire David Murray. The fancy dress prize was won by Richard Flitney as was the keep the raffle prizes coming award.

Having had to purchase new shoes and then returning to the hotel Alan Dudley found great difficulty in getting them on only to find the security tags still inside. Thankfully ex St Cyres forge master John Skone who never travels without the tools of his trade was able to remove them.

The remaining tourists WB Brian Stephens, David Hales, Phil Gooding, Eddie Thorne, John Worlock, Ken Trenchard, Tim White, Nigel Williams were all consummate in behaviour and upheld the very best of Windsor traditions as had our very much missed team mate Brian Rees over the past twenty years. Get well soon.

On the home front a clean sweep of rinks wins against Llantwit Major saw Windsor’s challenge for the Munro Cup improved. Father and Son Artie and Matthew Woodcock along with Mal Hope and Tony Holmes were the winning skips.

The ladies of Windsor did battle against Penarth Rectory Road in a rain affected game and a superb last wood by Carole Lewis a one shot win for colleagues Joan Collier, Ellen Lane and Veronica Flitney, the other rink of Sue Howells, Pam Farrel, Mags Coughlin and Lars White overwhelmed their opponents by 15 shots to seven.

Yet another ten points were achieved against Birch Grove in the two rink game with Bernice Roberts, Eileen Gardner, Dianes Roper and Thomas in one rink and Carole Lewis, Brenda Dunlop, Sharon Patterson and Kay Dyer both having comfortable wins.

T Oucher