This year marked the 30th annual tour of Llandrindod Wells Bowls Club and Friends, writes Clive Barrett.
Although they have visited Torquay several times over the years, this was the first time they had embarked on an indoor tour.
Following a smooth journey to England’s Riviera on the Sunday they went straight into bowls on Monday afternoon at Exeter Indoor Leisure Centre. On the excellent blue indoor surface the Powys visitors came up against a very strong Exeter team, only winning on two rinks by single shots, out of the eight available. The final scores were Exeter 184 - Tourists 92.
On the Wednesday afternoon after a free morning the tourists played a friendly between themselves at the Derwent Hotel. A good number of the Mid Wales players have previously stayed and played there in past years under the heading of the Beacon Bowlers. The bowlers were organised into teams the Dragons and the Wildcats, with the latter winning by 84 to 60 shots.
The Tourists had a morning shopping in Plymouth before proceeding to the local Life Leisure Centre, where they played a combined leisure centre team, and retired Civil Service bowlers. The match resulted in a very enjoyable encounter with the joint hosts winning by 101 shots to Llandrindod’s bowlers 97. The visitors winning three rinks, drawing two and losing the other three. The narrow difference came about because on one rink the Tourists lost by five shots on the last end. As well as the serious business of bowls, on the free days members and friends were able to enjoy shopping and an excellent theatre visit to Babbacombe on the Tuesday evening.
A week after returning from Torquay, Llandrindod played their annual challenge friendly match against the Radnorshire Indoor Stadium team. It being the first time they have come back from an indoor rather than outdoor tour. So it could be said that it was more of “a level playing field” than in previous years, and so it proved because the final result was Tourists 97 - Stadium 96. The visitors won on two rinks and drew a third.
Rather ironically the Tourists were captained for the day by the Chairman of the Indoor Stadium, John Dackers!
After the match tour organiser, Ken Price staged the presentation of monies raised by fines and donations during the week, with £325 being presented to each charity.
Senior member, John Lloyd presented to Ilma Marpole, representing Hope House Children’s Hospice, and Brian Jones to Reg Cawthorne, representing The Bracken Trust.
Both recipients thanked the Tourists for the money donated.