Victoria triumphed in the Somerset County League winning all 4 games played. The “A” team who had waited a long time for a win made it back to back wins beating Chew Stoke and picking up a valuable 10 points with Pete Wyatt, John Newman, Paul Leadbeater and Mike Stocker leading the way. The “B” team travelled to Wrington and returned home with the maximum 12 points leaving them just a few points short of achieving promotion. Derek Hurst skipped his rink to a fine 15 shot win with Malcolm Campbell, Mike Fletcher and John Howell. Victoria’s excellent form continued at home with the “C” and “D” teams beating the thunderstorms and Chew Stoke “B” and Congresbury “B”  each picking up 10 points. The rink skipped by George Frost excelled with a 21 shot victory despite 2 “wrong bias” woods delivered by Terry Gatehouse. Terry Gilbert led his rink of Rod Sleep,Ray Sparkes and Graham Hodge to a 12 shot win.

In the Weston & District Over 60’s league Victoria Saxons continue to close the gap on the Division leaders beating Winscombe at home winning by 15 shots and banking 14 points. Mike Stocker in a rich vein of form skipped his triple of Pete Lunn and Tony Uccellini to an impressive 18 shot win.

Somerset County League

Victoria “A” 75 (10pts) – 50 (2) Chew Stoke “A” – Away
H. Whyte, R. Fenwick, C. Gazzard, M. Cooper 16 – 19
P. Wyatt, J. Newman, P. Leadbeater, M. Stocker 33 – 16
D. Beard, D. Fairhurst, K. Harvey, W. Harrison 26 – 15

Victoria “B” 71 (12) – 41 (0) Wrington – Away
P. Fisher, N. Sell, K. Curtis, M. Taylor 18 – 16
M. Campbell, M. Fletcher, J. Howell, D. Hurst 28 – 13
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Manning, B. Stock 25 – 12

Victoria “C” 73 (10) – 45 (2) Chew Stoke “B”
M. Willetts, G. Rain, D. Sealey, S. Evans 25 – 15
L. Stocker, G. Richards, T. Gatehouse, G. Frost 33 – 12
R. Hollier, M. Milliner, A. Barnes, D. Jones 15 – 18

Victoria “D” 68 (10) – 48 (2) Congresbury “B”
S. Angove, A. Waygood, W. Nicholls, J. Mingo-West 22 – 25
L. Kelly, E. Longworth, P. Newport, D. Avery 23 – 12
T. Gilbert, R. Sleep, R. Sparkes, G. Hodge 23 – 11

Weston & District Over 60s Triples League

Victoria Saxons 106 (14) – 91 (6) Winscombe
R. Fenwick, A. Bray, M. Taylor 13 – 17
M. Fletcher, K. Curtis, B. Stock 16 – 12
R. Rockett, G. Rain, D. Sealey 14 – 17
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 27 – 9
T. Gatehouse, J. Newman, K. Holland 24 – 10
M. Campbell, M. Manning, M. Cooper 12 – 26

Due to fixture congestion, the  game against St Andrews  became a combined event, five rinks counting towards the North Somerset Cup and all six rinks counting towards the Ron Taylor Cup. It ended as a big defeat with Victoria winning on just 1 rink skipped by Will Harrison and supported by Hugh Gibbs, Ken Curtis and Ken Harvey.

In the only friendly of the week Victoria travelled to Banwell and were comprehensively beaten on all 4 rinks played although at one stage the rink skipped by Club Captain Mike Manning looked to be a winner until it all fell apart in the last 6 ends.

Ron Taylor Cup & NSKO Cup

Victoria 83 – 109 St. Andrews ( North Somerset Cup)
H. Gibbs, K. Curtis, K. Harvey, W. Harrison 30 – 11
H. Whyte, M. Manning, J. Howell, D. Hurst 7 – 33
P. Wyatt, S. Evans, A. Bray, M. Stocker 15 – 17
N. Stocker, J. Newman, B. Stock, M. Cooper 13 – 28
D. Fairhurst, N. Sell, P. Leadbeater, C. Gazzard 18 – 20
G. Richards, R. Fenwick, D. Sealey, M. Taylor 17 – 22

The sixth rink skipped by Mike Taylor could not help Victoria’s score as they also lost.

Friendly

Victoria 47 – 100 Banwell – Away
G. Richards, D. Roberts, G. Rain, D. Hurst 7 – 31
P. Wyatt, G. Hodge, N. Sell, M. Manning 14 – 18
M. Milliner, R. Rockett, K. Curtis, S. Evans 12 – 27
D. Beard, M. Willetts, E. Sage, G. Frost 14 – 24

Victoria held their annual  Two Wood Triples day at Victoria on Sunday and this year it was sponsored by a member, Bill Nicholls. After last years’ event Bill asked if he, together with his daughter Lorraine, could sponsor the day. Regretfully Lorraine died earlier this year and so the day was held in memory of Lorraine.

Eight teams of three players completed 40 ends of two wood triples over a period of 4 hours. This was more of an endurance event than a game of bowls. At the end of the day of some impressive bowling the winners, who were undefeated in their four games were Peter Wyatt, John Newman and Bryan Stock with 8 points. In second place with 6 points were Graham Richards, Terry Gatehouse and Roger Rockett. Third place went to Nathan Stocker, Nick Sell and Mike Cooper with 6 points but an inferior shot difference.

After the game the players were provided with a very nice meal prepared by the ladies and the Captain, Mick Manning, when helping Bill present the trophies thanked  him for his generosity in sponsoring the day and Bill remarked that Lorraine would have loved it.

Victoria started the week slowly  losing in a friendly at Clarence, In his losing speech, Vice Captain Cliff Chudley warned Clarence that the league match on Saturday would probably be hard on Clarence. Eric Sage skipped Victoria’s best winning rink to a 10 shot win  in company with MikeWilletts, A Guest and Graham Richards. The annual trip to Minehead was enjoyed by all as Victoria came away with a win by 30 shots winning on 4 rinks with Eric Sage again on best winning rink with Richard Austin, Cliff Chudley and George Frost.

Friendlies

Victoria 78 – 91 Clarence – Away
P. Wyatt, C. Chudley, G. Hodge, D. jones 18 – 19
L. Kelly, M. Milliner, G. Rain, G. Frost 17 – 15
P. Leadbeater, J. Mingo-West, M. Stocker, K. Holland 12 – 19
W. Nicholls, R. Rockett, A. Barnes, D. Hurst 9 – 26
M. Willetts, A. Guest, G. Richards, E. Sage 22 – 12

Victoria 121 – 91 Minehead – Away
L. Kelly, N. Stocker, K. Holland, P. Leadbeater 26 – 18
R. Austin, C. Chudley, E. Sage, G. Frost 26 – 11
T. Gilbert, J. Smart, G. Hodge, D. Jones 15 – 21
W. Nicholls, B. Johnson, J. Newman, M. Stocker 8 – 25
J. Codrington, A. Shattock, T. Gatehouse, M. Manning 24 – 16
J. Griffiths, P. Wyatt, R. Rockett, M. Taylor 22 – 10

In the Weston & District Over 60’s League the Saxons came away from Isle of Wedmore, battered but victorious with 14 points thanks mainly to the triples skipped by Mike Stocker and Ken Harvey who, between them, amassed a winning margin of 33 shots.

The Vikings stumbled to a defeat against Ashcombe Knights in a crucial match. Leading by 9 shots after five ends, the Vikings contrived to drop 18 shots in three consecutive ends and were always playing catch up from then on. Vikings won just 2 rinks and 4 points with Eric Sage again top performing skipping his rink of Terry Gilbert and Alan Shattock to a fine win.

Weston & District Over 60s Triples League

Victoria Saxons 104 (14) – 100 (6) Isle of Wedmore – Away
T. Gatehouse, J. Newman, K. Holland 16 – 13
H. Whyte, D. Sealey, M. Taylor 16 – 23
J. Smart, M. Manning, D. Hurst 6 – 27
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 27 – 10
R. Rockett, A. Barnes, K. Harvey 24 – 8
M. Fletcher, K. Curtis, B. Stock 15 – 19

Victoria Vikings 93 (4) – 105 (16) Ashcombe Knights
B. Johnson, J. Mingo-West, C. York 16 – 19
A. Waygood, P. Newport, G. Frost 7 – 16
S. Thynne, G. Thorne, D. jones 14 – 21
I. Linham, T. Farmer, J. Downing 24 – 20
T. Gilbert, A. Shattock, E. Sage 19 – 14
R. Hollier, J. Griffiths, G. Hodge 13 – 15

In the Somerset County League weekend fixtures Victoria experienced a bizzare situation having to concede a match by the “D” team due to “shortage” of players. The “B” team did not have a game, but the county rules forbade movement of any players from that team down to the “D” team and so 20 players could not have a game.

However on the bright side both the “A” and “C” teams enjoyed the best of weather at home  to return emphatic wins over their opposition. Victoria “A” gained revenge for the earlier defeat against Clarence in a friendly game with an 11 shot victory and 11 points with Nathan Stockerleading his rink of Paul Leadbeater Colin Gazzard and Mike Cooper to a healthy win.  This is the third consecutive win for the “A”s as they fight to retain their Premier League status. The “C” team went one better picking up all 12 points in their win against  Winscombe “C”   Eric Sage is on a high at present as he has not been on a losing rink for many a game and his last two woods ensured that his rink of John Codrington, Mike Willets and Vice Captain Cliff Chudley  won on the last end. The rink of Graham Richards, Mike Milliner and Terry Gatehouse  skipped by George Frost, were absolutely rampant as they swept aside their opponents by 17 shots.

Somerset County League

Victoria “A” 64 (11) – 53 (1) Clarence “A”
H. Gibbs, D. Fairhurst, K. Harvey, W. Harrison 17 – 17
N. Stocker, P. Leadbeater, C. Gazzard, M. Cooper 25 – 15
P. Wyatt, J. Newman, A. Bray, M. Stocker 22 – 21

Victoria “C” 71 (12) – 49 (0) Winscombe “C”
J. Codrington, M. Willetts, E. Sage, C. Chudley 19 – 18
R. Hollier, W. Nicholls, A. Barnes, D. Jones 24 – 20
G. Richards, M. Milliner, T. Gatehouse, G. Frost 28 – 11

Victoria “B” team celebrate becoming Champions of Division 2 North by beating Ashcombe “B” by 12 points to nil. Victoria “B” won on all 3 rinks with emphatic wins on the rinks skipped by Derek Hurst and Mike Taylor. The “A” team continue to make good progress in retaining their position in County Premier League Division 2 recording their 4th win of the season with a home win of 6 shots against Clevedon Prom “A” gaining a valuable 10 points. Top rink was Pete Wyatt, John Newman, Tony Bray and skip Mike Stocker who won handsomely by 10 shots. Victoria “C” team travelled to play on a very tricky rink at Mark Moor and despite there being close results on 2 rinks Mark Moor run out winners by 13 shots. The rink of John Codrington, Beric Saward Club President, Graham Hodge and skip Dave Sealey rescued 2 points for the team. The “D” team travelled to Portishead to play their “A” team and were well beaten by a strong team who are currently second in the division.

Somerset County League

Victoria “A” 54 (10) – 48 (2) Clevedon Prom “A”
M. Campbell, H. Gibbs, K. Harvey, W. Harrison 12 – 22
P. Lunn, P. Leadbeater, C. Gazzard, M. Cooper 20 – 14
P. Wyatt, J. Newman, A. Bray, M. Stocker 22 – 12

Victoria “B” 85 (12) – 33.5 (0) Ashcombe “B”
H. Whyte, A. Uccellini, M. Manning, B. Stock 20 – 16
R. Hollier, M. Fletcher, J. Howell, D. Hurst 35 – 11
P. Fisher, S. Evans, K. Curtis, M. Taylor 30 – 6.5

Victoria “C” 38 (2) – 51 (10) Mark Moor – Away
M. Willetts, W. Nicholls, A. Barnes, D. Jones 11 – 23
G. Richards, M. Milliner, T. Gatehouse, G. Frost 13 – 15
J. Codrington, B. Saward, G. Hodge, D. Sealey 14 – 13

Victoria “D” 20 () – 49 (12)  Portishead “A”

In the Weston & District Over 60’s  Triples League The Saxons exacted their revenge for an earlier defeat in the season against St. Andrews and crept closer  to the league leaders Ashcombe Crusaders. The Saxons won on 5 rinks to secure 18 points with Malcolm Campbell leading his rink of Dave Sealey and skip Derek Hurst to a fine win of 12 shots. After an excellent season to date The Vikings suffered their second consecutive defeat  with a loss at Yatton gaining just 4 points winning on 2 rinks skipped by Derek Jones and Eric Sage who continues to maintain his excellent form.

Weston & District Over 60s Triples League

Victoria Saxons 104 (18) – 84 (2) St. Andrews – Away
T. Gatehouse, J. Newman, K. Holland 20 – 11
M. Campbell, D. Sealey, D. Hurst 23 – 11
R. Rockett, A. Barnes, K. Harvey 15 – 14
M. Fletcher, K. Curtis, B. Stock 8 – 22
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 18 – 16
J. Smart, A. Bray, M. Taylor 20 – 10

Victoria Vikings 83 (4) –105 (16) Yatton – Away
R. Hollier, J. Griffiths, G. Hodge 10 – 21
S. Thynne, G. Thorne, D. Jones 25 – 10
I. Linham, T. Farmer, J. Downing 13 – 19
W. Nicholls, J. Mingo-West, E. Sage 20 – 12
J. Turton, A. Waygood, P. Newport 7 – 21
M. Willetts, C. Chudley, G. Frost 8 – 20

Victoria “A” won again with a victory at Taunton to all but secure their status in Premier 2 and if the team had played in the first half of the season as well as they have lately then they would have been at the top of the table competing for promotion. Victoria “A” won by 11 shots with Mike Cooper and Will Harrison skipping their rinks to excellent wins. Victoria “D” team travelled to Portishead and were soundly beaten by a strong Portishead team and the match was defeated by the weather which curtailed the game to 15 ends.

Somerset County League 

Victoria “A” 63 (10) – 52 (2) Taunton (Away)
P Wyatt, J Newman, A Bray, M Taylor 17-21
P Lunn, M Fletcher, C Gazzard, M Cooper  23-15
M Campbell, H Gibbs, K Harvey, W Harrison  23-16

Victoria “D” 19-5 (0) – 48 (12) Portishead – Away
K. Leahy, J. Turton, R. Sparkes, J. Griffiths 9 – 12
G. Jones, A. Webb, J. Kerr 7.5 – 18
E. Longworth, P. Newport, D. Avery 3 – 18

In the Weston & District Over 60’s K.O. Cup Victoria Saxons lost the semi-final in the first 5 ends when they were 24 – 40 shots down. Despite a tremendous fightback in the remaining ends to pull back 14 shots it was agonisingly too little too late and Victoria Saxons lost by the narrow margin of 2 shots. The dream of a League and Cup Double has ended but Club Captain Mike Manning is confident that the League title is still to play for. Top rink for the Saxons was Terry Gatehouse, John Newman and Keith Holland with a fine win of 8 shots.

Weston & District Over 60s – Knock Out Cup

Victoria Saxons 96 – 98 Portishead RBL
M. Fletcher, K. Curtis, B. Stock 17 – 14
M. Campbell, D. Sealey, D. Hurst 21 – 16
R. Rockett, A. Barnes, K. Harvey 16 – 21
T. Gatehouse, J. Newman, K. Holland 15 – 7
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 12 – 24
J. Smart, A. Bray, M. Taylor 15 – 16

Victoria hosted Penarth in a friendly and were able to reverse the result from the early season away game winning by 16 shots. Victoria won on 3 rinks the best of them skipped by Mike Taylor with Harrison Whyte, Dave Roberts and Tony Barnes mastering the difficult rink 6 which their opposing rink was unable to read.  During the after dinner speeches Victoria Club Captain Mike Manning graciously conceeded that the overall scores in the 2 friendlies resulted in a victory for Penarth  by 4 shots.

Friendly

Victoria 117 – 101 Penarth
B. Johnson, M. Willetts, J. Mingo-West, K. Harvey 15 – 18
P. Wyatt, A. Waygood, J. Newman, M. Manning 24 – 15
M. Milliner, J. Smart, A. Shattock, P. Leadbeater 11 – 18
W. Nicholls, C. Chudley, E. Sage, M. Campbell 14 – 22
T. Gilbert, G. Richards, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 24 – 13
H. Whyte, D. Roberts, A. Barnes, M. Taylor 29 – 15