Victoria finished their Somerset County League matches in style with the “A” “B” and “D” teams winning their final games. The “A” team travelled to North Petherton and won by 14 shots and if only they had picked up a few points in their first 4 games they may have been close to achieving promotion. As it was from a situation of near relegation they finished the season in fourth position.  The “B” team finished their season undefeated with a win at Burnham “B” winning on 2 of the 3 rinks and despite conceding 8 shots over the last 3 ends achieved the victory by 3 shots with Mike Taylor skipping his rink of Nick Sell, Phil Fisher and Ken Curtis to a match winning 15 shot advantage. The “D” team after a succession of defeats beat Winscombe “C” to record their fourth win of the season. In a close game Winscombe gained the upper hand in the middle part of the match and were leading by 8 shots but over the last 4 ends Victoria went ahead and despite the last rink dropping 3 shots on the last end still won by the narrow margin of 2 shots with the rink of Ernie Longworth, Tony Webb, John Kerr and Dave Avery winning by a healthy 9 shots and with the 10 points gained moved them off the bottom of the table to finish tenth. The “C” team were the only casualty in the Somerset League who with an outside chance of promotion fell at the last hurdle when they were out bowled by a strong Portishead team.

County League

Victoria “A” 65 (12) – 51 (0) North Petherton “A” – Away
H. Gibbs, C. Gazzard, M. Cooper 20 – 15
P. Wyatt, J. Newman, A. Bray, M. Stocker 29 – 22
D. Beard, D. Fairhurst, K. Harvey, W. Harrison 16 – 14

Victoria “B” 63 (10) – 60 (2) Burnham “B” – Away
H. Whyte, A. Uccellini, M. Manning, B. Stock 15 – 28
N. Sell, P. Fisher, K. Curtis, M. Taylor 28 – 13
M. Campbell, M. Fletcher, J. Howell, D. Hurst 20 – 19

Victoria “C” 34 (0) – 64 (12) Portishead – Away
R. Jacobs, W. Nicholls, A. Barnes, D. Jones 11 – 18
T. Gilbert, J. Codrington, S. Evans, D. Sealey 14 – 21
R. Hollier, M. Milliner, T. Gatehouse, G. Frost 9 – 25

Victoria “D” 60 (10) – 58 (2) Winscombe “C”
L. Stocker, L. Kelly, A. Waygood, R. Sleep 11 – 26
K. Leahy, J. Turton, R. Sparkes, J. Griffiths 25 – 17
E. Longworth, A. Webb, J. Kerr, D. Avery 24 – 15

In the Weston & District Over 60’s League Victoria Saxons beat Isle of Wedmore despite dropping 12 shots over the last 5 ends hanging on to win by 5 shots and collecting 14 points as they try to close the gap between themselves and Ashcombe Crusaders in the race for the title. Top rink for the Saxons was lead by John Smart with Tony Bray and skipped by Club Captain Mike Manning

Weston & District Over 60s Triples League

Victoria 101 (14) – 96 (6) Isle of Wedmore
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 20 – 16
M. Campbell, D. Sealey, D. Hurst 16 – 13
G. Rain, A. Barnes, K. Harvey 13 – 19
H. Whyte, K. Curtis, B. Stock 15 – 19
J. Smart, A. Bray, M. Manning 26 – 10
T. Gatehouse, j. Newman, K. Holland 11 – 19

Victoria hosted Somerset Executive and were well beaten winning just 1 rink skipped by Mike Stocker and supported by Mike Milliner, Tony Uccellini and John Newman. In the other Friendly of the week against Minehead Victoria only lost 1 of the 6 rinks with a top performance again by Mike Stocker who skipped his rink of Bill Nicholls, Brian Johnson and John Newman to a fine 10 shot victory.

Victoria 86 – 131 Somerset Executive
M. Milliner, A. Uccellini, J. Newman, M. Stocker 22 – 10
M. Willetts, T. Gatehouse, D. Avery, M. Taylor 14 – 21
T. Gilbert, G. Jones, B. Saward, S. Evans 8 – 37
H. Whyte, P. Newport, K. Holland, D. Jones 18 – 18
A. Shattock, E. Sage, G. Frost, K. Harvey 15 – 20
W. Nicholls, J. Mingo-West, C. Chudley, M. Manning 11 – 25

Victoria 121 – 89 Minehead
W. Nicholls, B. Johnson, J. Newman, M. Stocker 23 – 13
J. Codrington, A. Shattock, K. Harvey, M. Manning 18 – 18
L. Kelly, A. Waygood, K. Holland, P. Leadbeater 19 – 23
M. Milliner, C. Chudley, E. Sage, G.Frost 17 – 16
T. Gilbert, J. Smart, G. Hodge, D. Jones 25 – 19
J. Griffiths, P. Wyatt, R. Rockett, M. Taylor 19 – 14

Victoria’s Club Competition Finals will be staged over the weekend of 14/15 September with the finalists now known and interestingly highlighting the strength of the members there could be new names on all 5 Singles boards. However there are some previous winners competing, Colin Gazzard in the Championship, Mike Cooper looking for a successive double in the 2 Wood Singles and Paul Leadbeater aiming for a hat trick in the Handicap. There is a full programme of Gents and Ladies Finals on the Saturday and Sunday and visitors are welcome to attend.

Victoria Saxons suffered a setback in the Over 60’s league as they travelled across town to Clarence Park and lost by 6 shots to Clarence Blues picking up 6 points with 3 winning rinks skipped by Mike Stocker, Brian Stock and Ken Harvey.  Still, with just 18 points needed with two matches to play, they are still in with a chance of winning the league. The Mixed Friendly team travelled to Clevedon Prom and recorded a healthy win by 31 shots winning 4 of the 5 rinks. Mike Taylor again proved a master of the green skipping his rink of Richard Jacobs, Chris Sage and Vice Captain Cliff Chudley to an excellent 18 shot win. Victoria hosted the Spreadeagle Tourists, made up of retired Barclays bank personnel recruited from 11 counties. Spreadeagle tourists are unbeaten in all their touring games and in a close game Victoria nearly ruined that achievement but with Victoria needing 3 shots on the last end of the final rink to win Malcolm Campbell skipping could only get 2 shots which resulted in an overall draw. Victoria was the first port of call for the tourist who will go on to play another 5 clubs in the locality.

Victoria Saxons 98 (6) – 104 (14) Clarence Blues – Away
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 18 – 13
T. Gatehouse, J. Newman, K. Holland 13 – 22
M. Manning, A. Bray, M. Taylor 12 – 18
H. Whyte, K. Curtis, B. Stock 16 – 14
R. Rockett, A. Barnes, K. Harvey 20 – 14
M. Campbell, D. Sealey, D. Hurst 19 – 23

Friendly

Victoria 105 – 74 Clevedon Prom (Mixed) – Away
C. Stevens, R. Sleep, J. Griffiths, R. Rockett 18 – 13
W. Nicholls, G. Poolman, S. Newman, E. Sage 18 – 23
R. Jacobs, C. Sage, C. Chudley, M. Taylor 27 – 9
L. Kelly, A. Waygood, E. Newport, D. Jones 17 – 14
B. Johnson, S. Sokol, M. Milliner, J. Newman 25 – 15

Victoria 72 – 72 Spread Eagle tourists
B. Johnson, J. Mingo-West, A. Barnes, N. Sell 19 – 15
P. Wyatt, M. Milliner, C. Chudley, J. Newman 17 – 24
L. Kelly, S. Thynne, N. Stocker, M. Stocker 16 – 15
W. Nicholls, D. Roberts, J. Griffiths, M. Campbell 20 – 18

Victoria Saxons are Division 1 Champions of the Weston & District Over 60’s Triples League.

Victoria Saxons played their last two games this week knowing that they had to win them both to become league Champions.

The first was against Clevedon Promenade and Victoria won gaining 14 valuable points. The second match was again at home this time to Portishead RBL, who needed to win to avoid relegation.In the game against Clevedon Promenade the triples skipped by Mike Manning, Bryan Stock & Mike Taylor ensured a victory and 14 points. but it is a team game after all and even those triples that lost, kept their margin of defeat very small to ensure victory. It was a closer game against Portishead RBL but again the Saxons won 3 rinks skipped by Mike Stocker, Bryan Stock and Derek Hurst to achieve the points to ensure that the Championship Trophy returns to Victoria.

However, Victoria Vikings played their last game at home against the Second division Champions and could only win on the one rink of Richard Jacobs, John Turton and George Frost. Nevertheless, they had had a good season and finished equal fourth in the 2ndDivision.

Weston ( Bath) invited Victoria to a hastily arranged friendly and ever ready to accept the hospitality offered Victoria travelled with 4 rinks but did not enjoy any favours in the match losing heavily with just the one rink of Les Kelly, Ray Sparkes, Terry Gatehouse and Dave Sealey just winning by 2 shots.Victoria were outstanding in their mixed friendly against Cheltenham winning the game handsomely and with just 1 losing rink.

Victoria Saxons 117 (14) – 87 (6) Clevedon Promenade
R. Fenwick, A. Barnes, M. Manning 30 – 17
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 13 – 17
T. Gatehouse, J. Newman, K. Holland 14 – 15
J. Smart, G. Richards, M. Campbell 13 – 16
M. Fletcher, K. Curtis, B. Stock 26 – 11
H. Whyte, A. Bray, M. Taylor 21 – 11

Victoria Saxons 113 (14) – 97 (6) Portishead RBL
P. Lunn, A. Uccellini, M. Stocker 24 – 14
T. Gatehouse, J. Newman, K. Holland 10 – 18
M. Fletcher, K. Curtis, B. Stock 25 – 13
H. Whyte, A. Bray, M. Taylor 11 – 15
J. Smart, M. Campbell, D. Hurst 25 – 17
R. Rockett, A. Barnes, M. Manning 18 – 20

Victoria Vikings 94 (2) – 114 (18) Clevedon
R. Hollier, J. Griffiths, G. Hodge 11 – 23
B. Johnson, C. York, D. Avery 17 – 21
R. Jacobs, J. Turton, G. Frost 21 – 11
L. Kelly, J. Mingo-West, E. Sage 14 – 18
T. Gilbert, G. Thorne, D. Jones 16 – 19
J. Codrington, T. Farmer, J. Downing 15 – 23

Friendly Matches

Victoria 69 – 106 Weston (Bath) – Away
W. Nicholls, A. Waygood, J. Kerr, K. Curtis 20 – 26
L. Kelly, R. Sparkes, T. Gatehouse, D. Sealey 27 – 25
E. Longworth, R. Fenwick, A. Uccellini 10 -25
A. Guest, J. Griffiths, J. Mingo-West, M. Fletcher 12 – 30

Victoria 159 – 102 Cheltenham (Mixed)
C. Sage, A. Waygood, J. Mingo-West, M. Taylor 19 – 21
M. Milliner, A. Holland, S. Cooper, D. Jones 29 – 9
G. Richards, R. Sparkes, M. Chudley, M. Hillman 22 – 19
D. Fairhurst, E. Williams, A. Barnes, M. Manning 23 – 7
W. Nicholls, J. Griffiths, S. Newman, P. Leadbeater. 18 – 17
S. Sokol, R. Bailey, E. Sage, J. Newman 25 – 12
L. Kelly, S. Thynne, E. Newport, G. Frost 23 – 17

Victoria staged their competition finals over two days with members taking part experiencing good weather on Saturday and bad weather on Sunday.

The Men’s Championship singles played in atrocious weather turned out be a display of superb bowling with Tony Bray edging out Colin Gazzard by one shot.

The Men’s Handicap Four Wood singles also played in bad weather conditions saw Will Harrison get the better of the conditions than Paul Leadbeater.

The Men’s Two Wood singles played on a sunny Saturday ended with a comfortable win for Mike Cooper against Tony Bray.

Derek Hurst for the third year running skipped a winning rink in the Fours final whilst Roger Rockett having lost to Peter Wyatt in the Non-Winners final came good in the Seniors final. The unluckiest bowler in the club must be Colin Gazzard who has appeared in the Championship Final seven times and won only once! Keep trying Colin.

Several players appeared in more than one final and the pick of the bunch goes to Marysia Angove who won all three of her finals. Newcomers Tiffany Ellis and Nathan Stocker both appeared in three finals and their highlight was when they defeated Sue and Mike Cooper in the Mixed Pairs which went to an extra end. Sue Newman and Tiffany Ellis both won two out of three whilst another new bowler Peter Wyatt won in both of his appearances.  The Ladies Championship Singles and Two Wood Singles have been held over until Thursday.

Ladies – Championship Singles:
To be played on Thursday.

Ladies – Two Wood Singles:
To be played on Thursday.

Ladies – Handicap Singles:
Sue Cooper beat Ellen Newport 26 – 9.

Ladies – Non-Winners Singles:
Marysia Angove beat Sue Lawrence.

Ladies – Two Wood Pairs:
Marysia Angove & Sue Newman beat Fiona Waters & Margaret Hillman 20 – 8.

Ladies – Four Wood Pairs:
Marysia Angove & Sue Harrison beat Tiffany Ellis & Sue Newman 20 – 18.

Ladies – Triples:
Tiffany Ellis, Sue Sokol & Sue Newman beat Jessie Donald, Doreen Owen & Anthea Holland.

Mixed Pairs:
Tiffany Ellis & Nathan Stocker beat Sue & Mike Cooper 19 – 18 (after an extra end).

Men – Championship Singles:
Tony Bray beat Colin Gazzard 21 – 20.

Men – Two Wood Singles:
Mike Cooper beat Tony Bray 22 – 14.

Men – Four Wood Handicap Singles:
Will Harrison beat Paul Leadbeater 29 – 16.

Men – Seniors Singles:
Roger Rockett beat John Mingo-West 21 – 17.

Men – Non-Winners Singles:
Peter Wyatt beat Roger Rockett 21 – 17.

Men – Two Wood Pairs:
Nathan Stocker & Mike Fletcher beat Terry Gilbert and Bryan Stock 22 – 17.

Men – Triples:
Terry Gilbert, Tony Barnes & Ken Harvey beat Lee Stocker, Allan Shattock & Mike Stocker 25 – 14.

Men – Fours:
Peter Wyatt, Keith Holland, Nick Sell & Derek Hurst beat Nathan Stocker, John Codrington, Malcolm Campbell & Mike Manning 24 – 20