South Hams stalwarts Mavis Wellington and county president Lesley Crutchley linked up with their Devon team-mates to complete a fabulous finish to this this season’s South West Counties campaign by beating Somerset 152-104 (5-1 rinks) at Isca writes Tony Atkins.
It was a victory that denied Dorset the title and put them runners-up behind a jubilant Devon.
Prior to the match, Honiton’s Joan Heard (Honiton) had it all worked out if they were take the title. “I knew we had to win on all six rinks or win on five and somehow make up a 36-shot difference in the table,” explained Heard, who, at the close, was full of praise for her team-mates.
“They all deserve so much credit with everyone all pulling together in what turned out to be an exciting finish.”
At one stage Devon were ahead 5-1 (rinks) but one rink that appeared to be coasting went behind but the rink that had been down then went ahead.
“It really was an exciting finish and to achieve such a winning margin was always a tall order but we did it.”
Devon were forced to make two changes for the team originally selected (below) with Carole Smith (Sidmouth) and Connie Barter (Isca) replacing Shirley Bartrop (Plymouth) and Brenda Wood (North Devon). The final result gave Devon the title ahead of second placed Dorset.
Devon team: Christine Macaulay (Madeira), Brenda Wood (North Devon), Maureen Robertson (Mid-Devon), Hilary Avent (Plymouth); Shirley Bartrop (Plymouth), Susan Bywaters (Torbay), Liz Lock (Torquay Utd), Carole Binmore (Honiton); Rosemary Hirons (Honiton), Beryl Willis (Mid-Devon), Shirley Hiscock (Honiton), Jill Bishop (Sidmouth), Jan Roberts (Madeira), Lesley Crutchley (South Hams), Aileen Hodsoll, Val Lander (Plymouth); Sara Quayle (Plymouth), Joan Heard (Honiton), Sue Devonport (Torbay), Barbara Bellamy (Torquay Utd); Pam Lee (Plymouth) Gill Callaghan Mid-Devon), Janine Orchard (Madeira), Mavis Wellington (South Hams).