Avenue avoid the drop despite final-day loss

Ian McKay skipped Eric Slater and Bernard Rose to a 17-16 win, while Tony Farmer led Andy Strain and Mike Jacobs to a 16-16 draw.

However, Peter Hooper’s rink went down 26-19.

Saturday’s friendly five-rink triples saw Avenue beat Stratford 90-76.

Tony Farmer skipped the highest winning rink - 27-17 - with Phil Wadland and Keith Ogilvie against Tony Bradbury, Ron Rose and Colin Chambers.

John Hughes drew 12-12 against Ivor Fennell, while Eric Slater skipped a 21-19 against Rob Dunnett.

Joe Statham recorded a 17-14 victory against Dave Blackmore, while Paul Dale suffered a single-shot defeat against Mike Blackmore.

Tuesday evening’s mixed fixture against Pottertons saw Avenue win 66-63 with Lisa Smith skipping Gil Taylor and Phil Wadland to a comprehensive 21-5 success.

Royal Leamington Spa’s ladies recorded an emphatic 61-39 victory over Avon in their three-rink triples friendly.

Elizabeth Glynne-Jones led Cynthia Briggs and Peggy Rickaby to a 26-11 success, while Gloria Hensman was a 19-12 winner and Jean Smithard’s rink were held to a 16-16 draw.

In a tight game at Victoria Park, RLS overcame Rugby Thornfield 100-99.

With three of the rinks decided by just a single shot, a resounding 23-11 win for Bill Griffin proved decisive.

Dick Allibon (24-23) was the only other successful Spa skip.

Spa’s men won all seven rinks in their annual encounter with the club’s ladies.

Men’s captain Dick Allibon and his rink were spared the ignomy of being the only losing trio after scoring a six and a seven on the last two ends to win by five shots after being outbowled all afternoon by Sonia Stranks, Janice White and Dawn Horne.

Rink wins for Dennis Lee (18-12) and John Buggins (23-20) could not prevent Lillington going down to a 105-85 defeat against visitors Jaguar in their five-rink friendly.

Lillington finals day: Ladies’ Singles Handicap: 1, Barbara Donaldson; 2, Bernadette McDonnell. Ladies’ Drawn Pairs: 1, Margaret Stephenson amd Maureen Black; 2, Rosemary Randerson and Di Thurlbeck. Ladies’ Chosen pairs: Margaret Lawson and Di Thurlbeck; 2, Pam Ponting and Maureen Southgate. Ladies’ Two Wood Singles: Sue Hornsby; 2, Chris Ward. Ladies’ Captain’s Cup: Bernadette McDonnell; 2, Val Joyce. Ladies’ Singles Championship: 1, Sue Hornsby; 2, Margaret Lawson. Men’s Colin Walton Trophy: 1, Dennis Lee; 2, John Rheams. Men’s Singles Handicap: 1, Geoff Ward; 2, John Buggins. Men’s Pairs Handicap: 1, Gary Laffey amd Mick Kelly; 2, John Randerson and Dennis Lee. Men’s Singles Championship: 1, Gary Laffey; 2, Dennis Lee. Men’s Triples: 1, Bill Fakey, Anne Hare and Andy Hughes; 2, Jane Henfrey, Mike Smith and Dennis Lee. Welch Trophy: 1, Tony Richards; 2, Jim Melville. Jack Madon: 1, Gary Laffey; 2, John Henfrey. Hasler Trophy: 1, Chris & Geoff Ward; 2, Rosemary & John Randerson.

WCC Staff finals: Men’s Open: 1, Alex Mackintosh; 2, Barry Grant. Ladies’ Open: 1, Norma Weekes; 2, Joyce Sharp. Mixed Handicap: 1, Frank Jackson; 2, Les Collins. Mixed Pairs: 1, Ron Reynolds and Colin Randall; 2, Frank Jackson & Norma Weekes. Mixed Two Woods: 1, Barry Grant; 2, Mike Birch. Ladies’ Two Woods: 1, Hazel Birch; 2, Hilary Hickman. Men’s Three Woods: 1, Les Collins; 2, Bala Maniam. Triples: Hilary Hickman, George Barber and Eric Dronfield; 2, Barry Grant, Michael French and Hazel Birch. Novices: 1, Colin Randall; 2, Wayne Roberts. Pat Macken Trophy: Colin Randall & Mike Birch; 2, Michael French & Norma Weekes.

Courier Midweek Triples League: Division One: Welford 8 (61) Lillington 0 (35); Avenue 3 (52) Little Compton 5 (58); Whitnash 2 (48) Royala Leamington Spa 6 (610; RLS 3rds 1 (35) Wellesbourne 7 (48). Division Two: Welford 2nds 6 (54) Southam 4 (44); WCC 6 (67) Stratford 2 (46); Norgren 6 (5) RLS 4ths 2 (48); Kineton 0 (31) Home Guard 8 (50); Halford 6 (67) Shipston Sports 2 (45). Division Three: Avon 6 (53) WCC 2nds 2 (45); Fenny Compton 6 (62) Snitterfield 2 (41); Home Guard 2nds 6 (64) FISSC 2 (44); Lillington 2nds 8 (56) Warwick Boat Club 0 (35); Whitnash 6 (77) Lillington 3rds 2 (50)