WELLINGTON Bowling Club welcomed teams from Watchet who came to play a mixed triples friendly last week - and the result was close three-shot success for the home club, writes Martin Speakman.

The four games were very closely fought. The Watchet sides played very well but Wellington won in the end by 71 – 68.

Robin Shaw was particularly pleased with the result because it was the first time he had played as team captain for Wellington - and it was only his second season of bowling.

Before the match started, Robin welcomed the teams and told them that the four games would be played over 18 ends with a break in the middle for some refreshment in the clubhouse.

Robin's teammates were Suzanne Worth and Alan Samuel. Unfortunately they didn't get off to the best start. They were 4 – 1 down early on but they came back well and managed to overtake and win by one shot 17 – 16.

Jacqui Finney, Steve Horrill and Alan May started well but their opponents picked up a 5 and then a 4 in the 9th and 10th ends which made all the difference and the Watchet trio went on to win it 25 – 16.

Alan Mark, Shirley Samuel and David Beaudet were chasing the game early on but they managed to collect five shots in the 17th end to pinch it on the line 19 – 18.

Phil Hutchings, Liz May and Derek Vile were aware that the Watchet bowlers were winning overall on the other three rinks so they knew they had to do particularly well if Wellington were to stand a chance of winning.

At the halfway point the teams were level on 5 shots apiece but Derek's team pulled out all the stops in the second half and won comfortably 19 – 9 to ensure Wellington's overall victory.