Victoria had their best week for results as they won every game that was played.

In the County League the “B”,”C” & “D” teams enjoyed their weekend as they revelled in the sun as all three had good wins. Only the “B” team dropped any points. The “C” & “D” teams each gained maximum points away at Yatton & Clevedon Prom respectively.

Both the Saxons and the Vikings are doing well in the Weston & District Triples League as the Saxons completed a double over current leaders Ashcombe Crusaders. The triple of Roger, Rockett, Tony Barnes & Ken Harvey winning by a massive 16 shots.

The Vikings did not expect to do much at the start of the season, but are now knocking on the door for promotion as they are now second in their division having completed the double over Ashcombe Templars.

Somerset County League

Victoria “B” 69 (10pts) – 53 (2) Nailsea “B”
D. Beard, P. Fisher, A. Bray, M. Taylor 23 – 14
M. Campbell, M. Fletcher, J. Howell, D. Hurst 25 – 16
A. Uccellini, N. Sell, M. Manning, B. Stock 21 – 23

Victoria “C” 76 (12) – 29 (0) Yatton “C” – Away
J. Codrington, G. Richards, G. Rain, K. Holland 33 – 7
R. Hollier, M. Milliner, A. Barnes, D. Sealey 16 – 15
L. Stocker, E. Sage, T. Gatehouse, G. Frost 27 – 7

Victoria “D” 85 (12pts) – 40 (0) Clevedon Prom “C” – Away
K. Leahy, W. Nicholls, J. Kerr, G. Hodge 33 – 10
G. Jones, B. Saward, A. Shattock, D. Avery 31 – 12
T. Gilbert, A. Webb, P. Newport, G. Griffiths 21 – 18

Victoria Saxons 108 (16) – 93 (4) Ashcombe Crusaders – Weston & District Over 60s
M. Campbell, K. Curtis, D. Hurst 13 – 14
R. Rockett, A. Barnes, K. Harvey 30 – 14
H. Whyte, A. Bray, M. Taylor 18 – 15
T. Gatehouse, J. Newman, K. Holland 18 – 16
J. Smart, M. Fletcher, B. Stock 9 – 21
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 20 – 13

Victoria Vikings 99 (14) – 85 (6) Ashcombe Templars – Weston & District Over 60s
T. Gilbert, R. Sparkes, D. Avery 11 – 15
B. Johnson, J. Griffiths, G. Hodge 19 – 14
J. Turton, J. Mingo-West, E. Sage 21 – 11
S. Thynne, G. Thorne, D. jones 17 – 18
I. Linham, T. Farmer, J. Downing 12 – 14
W. Nicholls, P. Newport, G. Frost 19 – 13

Victoria 116 – 86 Gilfach Gogh – Friendly
M. Milliner, T. Gatehouse, N. Sell, M. Stocker 17 – 24
M. Willetts, N. Stocker, G. Rain, M. Taylor 33 – 8
S. Thynne, L. Stocker, K. Curtis, W. Harrison 22 – 17
W. Nicholls, J. Griffiths, M. Campbell, D. Hurst 22 – 19
P. Wyatt, A. Barnes, J. Newman, D. Avery 22 – 20

Victoria 95 – 90 North Petherton – Friendly
A. Waygood, G. Rain, D. Sealey, A. Bray 25 – 16
W. Nicholls, A. Shattock, N. Sell, K. Harvey 23 – 12
R. Austin, J. Griffiths, P. Newport, M. Manning 18 – 18
M. Willetts, J. Smart, M. Campbell, D. Jones 20 – 18
M. Milliner, C. York, J. Newman, M. Stocker 9 – 26

Victoria 169 – 87 Worcester County Ground – (Mixed)

The rink of Mike Stocker (a veteran according to some newspaper reports) rink were rampant as they notched up a 49 shot victory in their game as Victoria enjoyed the fast bowling conditions, which their opponents struggled to master.

D. Owen, J. Turton, E. Newport, M. Taylor 24 – 11
J. Mills, R. Bailey, D. Fairhurst, C. Gazzard 14 – 22
M. Angove, W. Nicholls, A. Bray, M. Stocker 54 – 5
F. Waters, R. Austin, C. Chudley, M. Cooper 35 – 11
T. Ellis, E. Sage, R. Cleeves, J. Newman 22 – 16
N. Stocker, C. Stevens, J. Griffiths, D. Hurst 20 – 22

Victoria Vikings Over 60’s team continued their run of winning games surprising even themselves by winning at Nailsea on a dry and difficult green. The Vikings picked up 16 points with 4 rink wins the highest winning rink skipped by Graham Hodge and supported by Richard Hollier and John Griffiths.

Victoria Vikings 109 (16pts) – 94 (4) Nailsea – Away (Weston & District Over 60s League
G. Jones, G. Thorne, G. Frost 21 – 9
W. Nicholls, P. Newport, A. Shattock 11 – 24
I. Linham, T. Farmer, J. Downing 17 – 15
J. Codrington, J. Mingo-West, E. Sage 25 – 17
R. Hollier, J. Griffiths, G. Hodge 25 – 9
R. Austin, A. Waygood, D. Avery 10 – 20

In the North Somerset K.O. Cup Victoria travelled to Banwell and in a close game Victoria just held on to win by 3 shots. The scorecard reveals that the win was courtesy of an outstanding rink win of 14 shots by David Fairhurst, Nick Sell, Paul Leadbeater and skip Colin Gazzard.

Victoria 92 – 89 Banwell – Away (North Somerset KO Cup)
M. Campbell, K. Curtis, K. Harvey, W. Harrison 20 – 19
P. Wyatt, M. Manning, D. Hurst, M. Stocker 14 – 24
P. Lunn, S. Evans, A. Bray, M. Taylor 17 – 19
D. Fairhurst, N. Sell, P. Leadbeater, C. Gazzard 25 – 11
N. Stocker, J. Newman, B. Stock, M. Cooper 16 – 16

Victoria played an away friendly at Ashcombe and despite winning on just 2 rinks of a 5 rink match were victors by 7 shots. The win was achieved by the 2 rink wins of 23 and 21 shots skipped by Derek Hurst and Terry Gatehouse. In the clubs other friendly the long coach trip to Cheltenham and maybe the longer liquid lunch may have contributed to aresounding defeat by 27 shots losing on 5 rinks with just the Captains rink of Steve Angove, Lee Stocker and Cliff Chudley  maintaining any respectability.

Victoria 100 – 93 Ashcombe – Away (Friendly)
J. Mingo-West, G. Richards, A. Shattock, J. Howell 9 – 22
R. Austin, R. Rockett, K. Holland, D. Hurst 36 – 13
W. Nicholls, A. Barnes, N. Sell, M. Manning 11 – 23
M. Milliner, M. Willetts, M. Fletcher, S. Evans 14 – 26
P. Wyatt, P. Fisher, E. Sage, T. Gatehouse 30 – 9

Victoria 93 – 120 Cheltenham – Away (Friendly)
P. Wyatt, E. Longworth, N. Stock, M. Stocker 11 – 21
W. Nicholls, G. Hodge, N. Sell, M. Fletcher 18 – 21
T. Gilbert, K. Curtis, A. Uccellini, P. Leadbeater 18 – 21
A. Guest, J. Newman, K. Holland, M. Cooper 12 – 21
M. Campbell, J. Griffiths, T. Gatehouse, M. Taylor 18 – 19
S. Angove, L. Stocker, C. Chudley, M. Manning 17 – 17

Victoria’s teams in the County League experienced mixed fortunes with 2 wins and 2 defeats.  The “B” team travelled to Portishead RBL”C” and gained a close victory winning by just 5 shots but taking 10 points with 2 rink wins with top rink skipped by Mike Taylor with Phil Fisher, Hugh Gibbs and Ken Curtis.  The “D” team were undefeated on all 3 rinks at home to Clevedon Prom “B” with the rink of  Terry Gilbert, Rod Sleep, Ray Sparkes and John Griffiths top scoring for Victoria.  The “A” team continue to struggle to find a win losing by 8 shots at Knowle “A” with the rink of Pete Wyatt, John Newman Ken Harvey and skip Mike Stocker picking up the consolation of 2 points. The “C” team were overwhelmed by Bristol “C” losing on all 3 rinks and by 22 shots.

Somerset County League

Victoria “A” 59 (2) – 67 (10) Knowle “A” – Away
P. Wyatt, J. Newman, K. Harvey, M. Stocker 21 – 12
N. Stocker, P. Leadbeater, A. Bray, M. Cooper 23 – 25
D. Beard, D. Fairhurst, C. Gazzard, W. Harrison 15 – 30

Victoria “B” 59 (10) – 54 (2) Portishead RBL “C” – Away
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Manning, B. Stock 14 – 23
P. Fisher, H. Gibbs, K. Curtis, M. Taylor 24 – 11
M. Campbell, M. Fletcher, J. Howell, D. Hurst 21 – 20

Victoria “C” 46 (0) – 68 (12) Bristol “C”
R. Hollier, M. Milliner, A. Barnes, D. Jones 21 – 23
T. Gatehouse, R. Fenwick, N. Sell, G. Frost 14 – 17
H. Whyte, A. Shattock, D. Sealey, K. Holland 11 – 28

Victoria “D” 60 (11) – 51 (1) Clevedon Prom “B”
T, Gilbert, R. Sleep, R. Sparkes, J. Griffiths 22 – 15
S. Angove, A. Waygood, W. Nicholls, J. Mingo-West 24 – 22
J. Codrington, P. Newport, E. Sage, D. Avery 14 – 14

Victoria Saxons had a hiccup losing to Winscombe in the Weston & District Over 60’s League earning just 3 points with a drawn rink and 1 winning rink of Pete Lunn, Tony Uccellini and skip Mike Stocker. Victoria Vikings currently in second position in the table  had another win  against very strong opposition. Trailing to Portishead after 12 ends, the Vikings came back and won mainly thanks to the emphatic wins by the triples skipped by Alan Shattock and Tom Farmer. Club Vice Captain Cliff Chudley has high hopes of the Vikings continuing their excellent form and being in contention for the title at the end of the season.

Weston & District Over 60 league

Victoria Saxons 92 (3) – 100 (17) Winscombe – Away
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 22 – 16
M. Fletcher, M. Manning, B. Stock 14 – 16
H. Whyte, A. Bray, M. Taylor 20 – 21
R. Rockett, A. Barnes, K. Harvey 15 – 15
M. Campbell, K. Curtis, D. Hurst 11 – 21
T. Gatehouse, J. Newman, K. Holland 10 – 11

Victoria Vikings 104 (15) – 86 (5) Portishead – Home
J. Turton, J. Mingo-West, E. Sage 15 – 14
W. Nicholls, P. Newport, A. Shattock 24 – 9
R. Austin, C. Chudley, G. Frost 11 – 16
R. Hollier, J. Griffiths, G. Hodge 12 – 20
S. Thynne, D. Avery, G. Thorne 18 – 18
J. Codrington, I. Linham, T. Farmer 24 – 9

Victoria won all 3 of the weeks friendlies with the new members of the club making excellent contributions. A trip away to Chew Stoke for a mixed friendly resulted in a win by 26 shots, the rink of Maryisa Angove, Sue Sokol and Roger Rockett providing 20 of the winning shots. An even bigger win of 32 shots was inflicted on Bristol Arrow with Mike Manning (Club Captain) skipping his rink of Bill Nicholls, John Smart and Nick Sell to an 11 shot win. Worcester Brotherhood were able to enjoy a day at the seaside in summer weather but were unable to enjoy a win losing the match by 18 shots with 19 shot wins by the two rinks skipped by Mike Cooper and Will Harrison.

Victoria 85 – 59 Chew Stoke – Away (Mixed Friendly)
M. Angove, S. Sokol, R. Rockett 26 – 6
S. Angove, A. Waygood, G. Richards 15 – 14
W. Nicholls, J. Mingo-West, J. Newman 13 – 14
R. Sleep, C. Stevens, J. Griffiths 11 – 17
G. Poolman, S. Newman, E. Sage 20 – 8

Victoria 90 – 58 Bristol Arrow – Away (Friendly)
A. Shattock, M. Milliner, G. Richards, J. Newman 25 – 21
W. Nicholls, J. Smart, N. Sell, M. Manning 24 – 13
R. Hollier, J. Griffiths, J. Mingo-West, E. Sage 20 – 13
L. Kelly, A. Waygood, R. Fenwick, M. Campbell 21 – 11

Victoria 107 – 89 Worcester Brotherhood Home (Friendly)
P. Wyatt, C. Chudley, N. Sell, M. Cooper 30 – 11
I. Linham, R. Sleep, M. Fletcher, W. Harrison 33 – 14
W. Nicholls, J. Mingo-West, K. Holland, M. Manning 12 – 23
S. Thynne, A. Waygood, N. Stocker, M. Stocker 18 – 17
L. Kelly, M. Milliner, J. Newman, M. Taylor 14 – 24

Victoria Saxons had a resounding win at Burnham and came away with maximum points as they try and close the gap between the leaders of the Division and themselves. Top rink of the day was Roger Rockett, Tony Barnes and skip Ken Harvey with a 15 shot win.

The Vikings got off to an amazing start and after 10 ends were 42 shots up. However, it seemed that they had a rest and only scored 16 shots over the next 5 ends as Mark Moor scored 40. However, mainly thanks to Derek Jones’ trio who scored 12 shots without reply and the triple of John Downing( 7 shots without reply) over the last three ends that Victoria’s second team managed a noble win.Victoria gained revenge for the defeat they received the previous week in the league when they beat Winscombe in the Over 60’s Knock Out Cup. In a close game which was always in doubt up to the 15th end swung Victoria’s way when the triple of Mike Stocker fought back from 0-11 down and fine victories by the triples skipped by Keith Holland and Bryan Stock saw Victoria through to the next round.

Weston & District Over 60s League

Victoria Saxons 117 (20) – 85 (0) Burnham – Away
T. Gatehouse, J. Newman, K. Holland 17 – 13
R. Fenwick, K. Curtis, D. Hurst 17 – 15
H. Whyte, A. Bray, M. Taylor 17 – 12
R. Rockett, A. Barnes, K. Harvey 26 – 11
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 21 – 18
M. Fletcher, M. Manning, B. Stock 19 – 14

Victoria Vikings 121 (15pts) – 98 (5) Mark Moor
R. Hollier, J. Griffiths, G. Hodge 15 – 19
S. Thynne, G. Thorne, D. jones 30 – 15
L. Kelly, P. Newport, G. Frost 16 – 16
T. Gilbert, J. Mingo-West, E. Sage 19 – 18
I. Linham, T. Farmer, J. Downing 30 – 9
R. Sleep, C. York, A. Shattock 11 – 21

Victoria 97 – 89 Winscombe – Away – Over 60s Knock Out Cup
R. Rockett, A. Barnes, K. Harvey, 12 – 21
R. Fenwick, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 12 – 14
T. Gatehouse, A. Bray, M. Taylor 15 – 18
H. Whyte, J. Newman, K. Holland 20 – 13
M. Fletcher, K. Curtis, B. Stock 22 – 7
M. Campbell, M. Manning, D. Hurst 16 – 16

In the first leg away to St Andrews in the Ron Taylor Cup Club Captain Mike Manning was fairly content with the narrow defeat as his team take on St Andrews in the 2nd leg back at Victoria.

Victoria 102 – 114 St. Andrews (Ron Taylor Cup, 1st Leg) – Away
A. Webb, G. Hodge, H. Gibbs, A. Bray 16 – 15
G. Richards, M. Willetts, A. Barnes, D. Hurst 17 – 15
W. Nicholls, E. Sage, J. Newman, J. Howell 20 – 19
S. Thynne, C. Chudley, D. Sealey, M. Manning 19 – 24
P. Wyatt, R. Fenwick, P. Fisher, K. Harvey 12 – 22
J. Mingo-West, R. Rockett, N. Sell, M. Stocker 18 – 19

Somerset County League

In the Somerset County League  all 4 teams were in action and pleasingly there was just the one defeat with  the “D” team losing at Yatton. At last, the “A”team have won a game and they did it in style, each rink scoring 27 shots as they romped to a 12 – 0 win. The “B” team also won 12 – 0 as they push for promotion. In a high scoring game the rink of Malcolm Campbell. Mike Fletcher, John Howell and skip Derek Hurst excelled with a 13 shot win.   The “C” team were at Clarence and despite winning on 2 rinks had to be content with a draw and 7 points. The “D” team were involved in a match at Yatton where the game was restricted to 12 ends because of heavy rain and lost on all rinks.

Victoria “A” 81 (12) – 37 (0) Bridgwater “A”
N. Stocker, P. Leadbeater, C. Gazzard, M. Cooper 27 – 13
D. Beard, D. Fairhurst, K. Harvey, W. Harrison 27 – 12
P. Wyatt, J. Newman, A. Bray, M. Stocker 27 – 12

Victoria “B” 71 (12) – 49 (0) St. Andrews “B”
H. Gibbs, A. Uccellini, B. Stock 19 – 18
P. Fisher, N. Sell, K. Curtis, M. Taylor 23 – 15
M. Campbell, M. Fletcher, J. Howell, D. Hurst 29 – 16

Victoria “C” 62 (7) – 62 (5) Clarence “B” – Away
P. Lunn, T. Gatehouse, R. Fenwick, G. Frost 17 – 23
H. Whyte, A. Shattock, D. Sealey, S. Evans 23 – 19
R. Hollier, M. Milliner, A. Barnes, D. Jones 22 – 20

Victoria “D” 18 (0) – 43 (12)
Skips only D. Avery 8 – 14
E. Sage 8 – 11
J. Griffiths 2 – 18

Victoria’s winning streak continued when they defeated GB Britton in a mixed friendly at home winning on 4 of the 5 rinks with emphatic 13 shot wins by the rinks skipped by Mike Taylor and Mike Cooper securing a fine win of 25 shots.

Victoria 114 – 89 GB Britton (Bristol) – Mixed Friendly
W. Nicholls, R. Cleeves, N. Stocker, M. Stocker 18 – 13
C. Webb, S. Angove, E. Newport, E. Sage 24 – 23
F. Waters, C. Chudley, S. Cooper, M. Taylor 29 – 16
T. Ellis, C. Stevens, T. Gatehouse, M. Cooper 28 – 15
L. Stocker, R. Bailey, M. Milliner, J. Newman 15 – 22