Mendip held the last of what has been a very successful season of Open events, the Men’s Autumn Bowmaker.

Although the weather was not very kind, a full entry list of 102 competitors, 63 being visitors from 22 different clubs, thoroughly enjoyed the event, and numerous positive comments were received about all aspects of the day. Special thanks went to Nola Russell as Chief Organiser, her team of greeters and starters and, of course, the Mendip Pro Team, all of whom contributed to the success of the day.

The first visitor team consisted of Martin Stephens, an ex-Mendip member now playing at Burnham & Berrow, together with two Wedmore members, who scored 80 points. In second place were Mendip member, Peter Rumming, with two Westbury members with 79, and in third place a team from Long Sutton.

First Mendip team were Troy Chivers and George Hobbs, together with a Farrington member, with an excellent 86, with Rod Dyson, Nick Inskip and Adam Spragg in second place with 81 and Julian Tucker, Darryl Livingstone and Michael White third with 76.

The October mid-week tankard saw a win in Division One for Martin Myers with a splendid 41 points, well clear of the field. Wayne Black was second with 34 after a triple countback, leaving Tom Lowe in third place.

Division Two went to Chris White with 36 and Andy Griffiths was second with 35 after a four-way countback, leaving the ever consistent Brian Smith in third place. Division Three went to Stephen Smith with 32; James Boyce was second with 31 and Nigel Wiltshire third with 30.

The Men’s four-person Texas Scramble attracted 108 entrants and saw some extremely low scoring. Winning with net-53.6 were the team of Duncan Bratt together with Andrew, Sam and Sean Thatcher. In second place were Robert Cook, Stephen Davis, Steven Morris and Ian Perkins with 54.2, and even that low score was equalled by David Cox, Hugh Glandfield, Alan O’Leary and Chris Roe, who were third.

The annual Tri-Partite match played between the three clubs founded in 1908 took place this year at Tidworth. The teams of twenty-a-side, including six Ladies, play a singles format. Despite Mendip recording the three best scores of the day through Club Captain, Paul Smith and Duncan Offer (who both scored 39 points) and Captain Elect, James Boyce with 38, home advantage gave Tidworth the overall win with 45 points, with Mendip coming second with 41.5, which left Stoneham third with 33.5.

The Ladies held a Four Ball Better Ball Stableford which saw a win for Pauline Williams and Ann Padley with 33 points; Lulu Carolan and Margaret Allen were second with 32 after countback from Lynn Cox and Marian Speed.

The following week, the Ladies held a Yellow Ball Bowmaker, and this was won by Anita Butcher, Marian Speed and Fran Davies with 117. Allison Rumming, Gina Howard and Caroline Simper were second with 112, leaving Nola Russell, Chris Down and Elaine Kitchenham third with 107.

The Seniors held their final singles Stableford event of the season, and despite being faced with yet another wet day, 71 competitors took to the field, with most of them completing their round. Scores were naturally low due to the conditions.

However, Paul Apfelstedt managed them best of all to win Division One with 36 points, with Andrew Griffiths second with 35 on countback from Alan Roper. Division Two was won by Stephen Lake, Alan Newton was second with 34 and after a triple-countback, Keith Beasley was third with 33.

Tony Williams