THE gentlemen of Windsor Bowling Club began their week of bowls at home to Mackintosh, Cardiff. The ensuing defeat, by just six shots, was an injustice, given that skip Mike Cucceniello gave a master class in drawing woods and along with Eddie Thorne, Charles Cole and lead Tim White triumphed 15 shots to 12. The vastly experienced four of Alf Holmes, David Howells, Artie Woodcock and David Hales also came out on top by 19 shots to 9, but defeat for the fours of A J Hardness and Ken Trenchard brought an overall defeat.

The first round of the Les Heap Trophy saw the Windsor men overwhelm Belle Vue by fifty four shots. The win, on all four rinks, was a first class start to the retention of the challenge cup.

The PG1 game against Barry Plastics provided another clean sweep and a very welcome fourteen points to strengthen Windsor’s league position. H C Lewis, A Woodcock, M Hope and K McLeod 25-13. J Price, A Dudley, E Thorne and M Woodcock 28 – 8. M Matthews, D Howells, Lloyd Jones and R Hudson 18-11. R Flitney, C Burton, P Gunter and T Homes 21 – 13.

In the PG single rink, defeat against Merthyr was followed by defeat against Dinas Powys in the Alan Martin Cup semi-final. It will be of interest to see if the day ever dawns on Windsor selectors, what is agreed in the rest of world bowls, that leads win matches as a specialist position.

This weekend sees Windsor hosting a touring side from Crediton in Devon and two PG games against friends and rivals Penarth Rectory Road. Also, club captain Paul Gunter’s Friday spoons: book your rink early, such is its success. The bank holiday Brice Cup and Bar-B-Que will ensure the club’s ladies will be at full stretch and head chef Di Thomas, yet again giving her best Fanny Craddock impersonation. Thank-you ladies, you are very much appreciated by the whole membership.