andover’s outdoor bowls club have around 90 members, 25 of whom also play the indoor format of the sport.

With no indoor green of their own, the majority are also members at the Whitchurch Longmeadow Club. In representing Andover the members have had a succesful time of late. In the Morton Cup club knock-out, played exclusively at Whitchurch, Andover had a close but very good victory over a strong Newbury side by two shots. In the next round on February 15 they will play Littleton from Winchester, who had an emphatic win over Pewsey.

On the Lodden Vale indoor green in Basingstoke, they have also had success, in the Cusheon Trophy. Played in groups, with the winner of each group qualifying for the semi- final knock-out stage, their first opponents were AWRE Aldermaston. This was fairly one-sided and saw Andover run out victors by a very impressive 23 shots. Last weekend they were pitched against Alton Town in the second group match. After 14 of the 21 ends Alton held a one shot lead. The rink of Diane Timms, David Hamilton, Jim Timms and skip Dennis Fowler were having a good game as a unit leading by 17-9. However, Andover’s rink of Cliff Appleby, Gordon Smith, Jim Horne and captain Peter Merritt trailed 7-16. The inexperience of the Andover lead pair was being exploited by some good consistent bowling from Alton, which left Horne and Merritt conjuring up shots to save poor situations. However, matters improved in the vital last seven ends, and although losing 16-19 they kept to their task well.

Fowler’s rink although momentarily letting some of their lead slip, won the last few ends for a comfortable and well deserved 27-15 win. Overall this meant a 43-34 Andover victory, and with one group match left, against Oakley, the team could well emulate their 2006 semi-final placing.

On a sombre note, the club member’s hearts and thoughts go out to the family of Stan Robinson, who sadly passed away early this month.

Stan was the club vice president and his good humour and friendship will be so greatly missed.