Our first match of the season saw us at home to Little Compton on a fine Spring afternoon with plenty of sunshine to take the edge off the fairly chilly weather.  We welcomed two new players, Terri Gold and Len Selby, and hope that this will be the start of an enjoyable time with us.   Ironically we were without either Captains for medical reasons and hope that they will be back soon but they were not missed as we ran out winners by four rinks to one or by a 29 point margin 88 - 59.

Rink 1

Jasper Jelfs, Claudia Stokes and Peter Wells had a very tight game only managing to pick up 8 ends but came out victorious 14 - 13.

Rink 2

John Standen, Mick Wilkins and Kevin Mytton got off to a slow start but picked up a five on the third end and never looked back, managing to take 10 ends to hand in an 11 point win 21 - 10.

Rink 3

Richard (see the braces if you look carefully) Lawrence, Terri Gold and Len Selby were in control from the off taking 12 ends to come home by a winning margin of 10 points 19 - 9.

Rink 4

Cliff Hall, Finlay Jelfs and Mark Stokes were never troubled and took 11 ends including a six on the sixth to win by 11 points 20 - 9 and can claim the bragging rights by handing in the neatest card!

Rink 5

Yvonne Twomey, Pete Griffin and Chris Skidmore were in control and three shots up at the 14th end but let it slip as their opposition took the last four ends and seven points to beat us 18 - 14.

The non playing Mid Week captain would like to thank Chris and Maggie Skidmore for setting up the room and allocating the raffle tickets to the tables, Lucy Wells for running the bar for us on a busy afternoon and Fin and Jasper for setting up the green.

We look forward to the return game on 8th August.

Our first fixture of the season starts with our visit to Banbury Cross Indoor, a fixture not too many are keen to play, as they prefer to play outdoor and, as yet had always come away defeated.  However Sunday saw us victorious for the first time with a comprehensive victory by 90 shots to 68.  The game was played as a 6 triples over 16 ends and introduced 2 new members to our squad, Len Selby and Michael Gudge, who I have to say helped on 2 of the successful rinks and it is hoped we will see them frequently over the coming season.

Rink 1  -  Lead  -  Cliff Hall

               No. 2  -  Pete Griffin

               Skip    -  Chris Skidmore

This was a game of 2 halves as, after 8 of the 16 ends Skiddies rink were 11-4 ahead, but they obviously took their foot off the accelerator and failed to win any of the remaining 8 ends and went down 11-15.

Rink 2  -  Lead  -  Nigel Eley

               No. 2  -  Finlay Jelfs

               Skip    -  Ted Eley

This was a very close game and after 10 ends Ted's rink were just 1 shot behind 6-7, but again could only win 2 of the remaining 6 ends and eventually went down 10-16.

Rink 3  -  Lead  -  Paul Jelfs

               No. 2  -  Mick Gudge

               Skip    -  Mick Jelfs

This was a very close game for the first 7 ends, when the score was 4-4, but Mick's rink then showed their authority winning 7 of the remaining 9 ends and coming out comfortable winners 20-6.

Rink 4  -  Lead  -  Jill Hart

               No. 2  -  Mick Wilkins

               Skip    -  Bryan Ogilvie

The Captains rink were never behind throughout the game, although it was very tight for the first 7 ends, but apart from conceding a 4 on the final end, they went on to record a victory 19-11.

Rink  5  -  Lead  -  Pete Sutton

                No. 2  -  Len Selby

                Skip    -  Phil Gladden

After 3 ends Phil's rink were 1-3 down but only allowed the opposition to win 4 of the remaining 13 ends to record a comfortable win 17-7.

Rink  6  -  Lead  -  Paul Jones

                No. 2  -  John Standen

                Skip    -  Dave Bryant

This was a very close game throughout and it looked like Dave's rink would come out victorious but unfortunately they lost the last 3 ends and had to settle for a draw 13-13.

A very enjoyable afternoon, especially with the victory and it is hoped this will continue for the coming outdoor season.