Devon’s Harry Goodwin will help lead the fightback as the men’s senior Middleton Cup bowls team look to avenge last weekend’s defeat by Wiltshire 34-27 in the England Balcomb Trophy inter-county double-rink championships writes Tony Atkins.
National runners-up last season, the eight-strong Devon team were well beaten at Topsham.
Ex-Community College student Goodwin was not involved in the match, but will be in the Middleton Cup side that will be out to complete a successful defence of this premier inter-county team title.
Already this season, Goodwin has played his part in Devon U25s White Rose Trophy outfit in once again reaching the area finals.
Devon, who beat Kent in the Middleton final last summer, have named a strong team to take on Wiltshire at Topsham on Saturday (2pm).
Ollie Lucas, (Shaldon), Colin Woodcock (Utd Services), Harry Goodwin, Griff Sanders (Kings); Rob Honeywell (Kings), Simon Broom (Culm Vale), Michael Coombes, Ian Lesley (Shaldon); Jamie Heard (Culm Vale), Simon Haywood, Ryan Whitlock, James Webber (Shaldon); Steve Davies, (Shaldon), David Evans (Kings), Lee Phillips (Topsham), Ro Paxton (Crediton); Gareth Foster (Shaldon), James Hampton (Exonia), Stuart Evans (Shaldon), Jamie Chestney (Kings); Lee Haywood (Shaldon), Matt Bass (Kings), Kevin Phillips (Topsham), Louis Ridout (Kings). Reserves: Aaron Clements (Culm Vale), Ian Foster (Newton Abbot), Sean Howard (Kings), Mark Perrott (Madeira), Andrew Phillips (Utd Services), Dan Holloway (Culm Vale).
Devon ladies play Warwickshire in the John’s Trophy inter-county event. The match is being played on a neutral green at Clevedon, also on Saturday. The team includes long-serving stalwart and Kingsbridge Park player Tina Thomas. Former Plymstock player Sara Quayle, now with Plymouth City Bus, is also included
Devon’s John’s Trophy selectors have the selected the following players for the inter-county championship opener with Warwickshire on the neutral green at Clevedon on Saturday (1.30pm): Kelly Atkinson (Kings), Julia Barnes (Newton Abbot), Cassidy Lenton, Sophie Tolchard (Kings); Vicky Stone (Topsham), Jan Boyt, Harriet Stevens (Kings), Liz Smerdon (Crediton); Lesley Coombes (Combe Marti), Sue Bywaters (Kings),Carole Binmore, Sue Evans (Honiton); Sara Quayle (Plym City Bus), Di Morley (Seaton), Jenny Dawson (Topsham), Sharon Parnell (Ply City Bus); Val Davis (Torquay), Toni McNeil (South Molton), Tina Thomas (Kingsbridge Park), Joan Martin (Crediton); Jackie H-Anthony (Barnstaple), Hayley James, Lorraine Hackett, Natalie Chestney (Kings).
Reserves: Ella Crouch (Torquay), Jacky Howle (Madeira), Courtney Sears (Madeira), Shania Oliver (Plym City Bus).
In the England Champion of Champions men’s singles, David Hurrell (Kingsbridge Park) was beaten by Sean Howard (Kings) 21-13 while Stoke Fleming club champion Paul Lobb lost out to Paul Hoff (Buckfastleigh) 23-17.