Thursday August 11th. The NWL Alpha Team played at home to Blue Circle hoping to acquire some much needed points in the penultimate game of the season. On a wet and miserable evening the triple skipped by Marguerite Alexander with Joyce Little & Angela Roberts were soon trailing but managed to eventually pull back, in the end only losing by one shot. The other Triple skipped by Sue Ochyra, with Yvonne Atkins & Lesley Russell managed to stay in touch for most of the game but  went down by six shots. So once again no points and thinga are looking bleak.

Below. Ladies Captain's Day 2011

Tuesday July  26th. The desperate quest for points continued for the Alpha team when they took on top of the table  Winsley in the North Wilts League this evening. The Triple of Marguerite Alexander, Wendy Gaisford & Rose Keen got off to a good start and opened up a lead of five shots which was enough to balance the other Triple of Sue Ochyra, Patricia Reeves & Joyce Little who could not hold on to the shots even though they were often holding. Sadly by the end, although Sue's Triple managed to hold the opposition to a four shot loss, Marguwrite's went into the last end level and lost by one shot as the Winsley girls staged a comeback to take all six points. There are only two games left , one home and one away, and we really need some points to secure a safe position in the table. Next game is home to Blue Circle.

Thursday July 14th. North Wilts Alpha games seem to have all the ingrediants of a Roman epic, "so let's have a look at the latest episode". Well....what a turnaround !! Tonight the NWL Alpha team played at home against Bradford On Avon Blue Jays. The Triple Comprising Marguirite Alexander, Angela Roberts & Rose Keen were quickly in the lead and opened up a good shot difference and ended up winning 29-13. Meanwhile the other Triple of Sue Ochyra, Patricia Reeves & Yvonne Atkins were struggling to hold on to their shots and at 11 ends were 3-13 down end 12 was tied so with 6 ends to go the fight was on to keep the overall shot difference and come out with 4 points for the match. However fortunes (and the green) changed and at 17 ends the scores were level at 14-14. With one wood left for each skip to bowl Devizes were 4 down, Sue managed to draw the shot and then held her breath whilst the opposing skip bowled. Final score was 15-14! 6 much needed points in the bag !! A good team performance from both Triples to keep the match together. "Woh!! it's war out there" meanwhile your editor is trying to picture Sue holding her breath!!!!!

Tuesday July 12th. The nightmare continues!!!  The NWL Alpha team played Malmesbury at home on Tuesday and the game started well we got into a commanding position on the rink with Yvonne Atkins, Patricia Reeves & Sue Ochyra. However after leading 17-3 at 11 ends we failed to score again as the opposition found the green and started playing, so we ended up going down 17-18. !! Rose Keen, Angela Roberts & Wendy Gaisford struggled to keep up with their opposition and also went down so again zero points. We have another game on Thursday so will be trying to put things right.

Friday July 8th. Marguirite Alexander, Sue Ochyra & Joyce Little played against a team from Avon BC in the second round of the Benevolent Triples. This is a curious competition consisting of 15 ends with two woods. After a tentitive start the Devizes trio got into the groove and emerged as the winners 27 shots to 10. The next round will be away but as yet, the opposition is not known.

Friday July 8th. Friday afternoon was Friends afternoon when we remembered past and present friends. We had eight Triples playing a round robin which was enjoyed by all. The winners were Marie Greenwood, Mary Pearce & Daphne Otridge who thus are the winners of Peggy's Plate. We raised £90.00 for the Captain's charity so a big thank you to all who played, made cakes, donated raffle prizes and washed up afterwards.

Thursday July 7th. Well someone once said that a week is a long time in politics. The same seems to be the case in Bowls!! Last week the NWL Alpha team was in a state of complete depression following a run of poor results. This week the sun is shining, the grass is green and all is well with the world!! Last night the team travelled to Bradford On Avon to play their second game of the week, hoping to repeat the full house result of Tuesday night. The sun shone (in their eyes), the green was good and there was some very competitive bowling.  The Devizes Ladies proved to be too strong for the home team and came away with six points for the second time this week. The teams were Angela Roberts Patricia Reeves & Sue Ochyra. Rose Keen, Wendy Gaisford & Marguirite Alexander.  The team have another two fixture week next week so will be trying to maintain the momentum as both games are at home.

Wednesday July 6th. Sue Taylor defeated Ingrid Thorogood 21-16 in the Ladies Novices competition.

Tuesday July 5th. The NWL Alpha team yet again took to the green in search of those elusive points this time the match was against Spencer Melksham  who had taken maximum points when we visited them so there was good reason to be determined. The triple skipped by Marguirite Alexander, Angela Roberst & Rose Keen had an easy win and the one skipped by Sue Ochyra, Patricia Reeves & Yvonne Atkins won by four shots so six points were finally in the bag. This gives the team renewed hope for their next game which is away at Bradford on Avon on Thursday.

Thursday June 30th. In the NWL league our Alpha team once agin took the the now hallowed greens of Devizes to try once again to get back to winning ways. They were at home to Box and made a good start on one rink. That is about all there is to say about the evening because one rink went down really heavily and the other by a smaller margin. nil points again. Things really do not look good but they will still be in there trying their hearts out next week when they have two chances of getting some points on the board.

Tuesday June 28th. The quest for points continues. The NWL Alpha team played at Blue Circle last night. The green was what could be described as "unhelpful" and was also covered in what could have been hail stones but surely it was not! We struggled to master this surface and once again came away with no points

Saturday June 25th. Last night six intrepid ladies ventured onto the bottom green clad in waterproofs to play the Benevolent Triples. This is a county competition but the draw had dictated that two teams from Devizes should play each other. It is played with two woods over 15 ends. It was a closely fought game which was in the balance as it went into the last end with Sue Ochyra, Marguirite Alexander & Joyce Little 13-12 up with just the skips to bowl Sheila Garlick, Bev Lilley & Josie Mulligan were holding three shots for the match. With one wood to bowl the situation was unchanged but Sue drew the shot and turned the game in her teams favour. This means that they pogress to the next round to play a home tie against Avon BC.

Thursday June 23rd. The NWL Alpha team are still finding it difficult to pick up points. Last night we played North Wilts Devils on our own green. We had taken maximum points from them on their green a fortnight ago and were hopeful that we could repeat this success at Devizes. Needless to say our green was superb and the triple skipped by Sue Ochyra with Patricia Reeves & Joyce Little had an excellent game with some great bowling and tight heads. It was nip and tuck all the way and going into the last end the scores were tied 11-11 so one team had to win when a draw would have reflected the game. Devizes were holding a very close shot until the last wood bowled by the opposition flicked the jack and gave them the win. Final score 11-12.

In the other game Marguirite Alexander, Lesley Russell & Yvonne Atkins went down by a number of shots so once again we failed to score any points. We now really need things to turn in our favour if we are not to be at the bottom of the table come the end of the season.

Wednesday June 22nd. Last night the ladies took on Box at home in the Top Ten competition The team was - Singles - Sheila Garlick. Pairs - Bev Lilley & Yvonne Atkins. Triples - Sue Ochyra, Patricia Reeves & Joyce Little. Fours - Marguirite Alexander, Wendy Gaisford, Rosemary Bradbury & Angela Roberts. Although we did not win on any of the rinks we put up a spirited performance in the early stages of the pairs Yvonne & Bev were holding their own against a very strong Boix pair - only going down by 5 in the Triples after a very competitive game with some closely contested heads. It was always going to be difficult to progress in this competition once we drew Box in the only prelim but these are the kind of games we need to be playing in order to gain experience and improve our performance. Well done to all who played.

Monday June 20th. today we played an eight rink friendly against Swindon  & District Ladies. Captain Sheila was very pleased to be able to raise support from enough ladies to play this fixture so well done and a big thank you to all concerned. Sadly although the game started in sunshine the clouds gathered and we eventually had to abandon the game at fifteen ends when the heavens opened. Devizes lost the match but as always the meal provided by our hard working catering team was excellent and ensured that the afternoon ended on a positive note.

Hi Mike! On Sunday we played a five rink friendly against Spencer Melksham on our top green it made a pleasant change to be bowling in sunshine without a howling gale blowing the woods off line. We won on two rinks (Sue Ochyra & Phil Cave) and lost on the other three, but a very enjoyable afternoon was had by all.

Thursday June 16th. Last night the NWL Alpha team went to Winsley. After a torrential downpour which forced us to wait in the cars before paddling into the clubhouse, the green was very wet at the start of the game. Sadly it was not our night and we came away with nil points after being soundly beaten on both rinks. The Triple of Sue Ochyra, Patricia Reeves & Joyce Little were very often holding a number of shots until the Winsley skip came hurtling down with her very large woods and we went down heavily 8-23. The other Triple of Wendy Gaisford, Angela Roberts & Rose Keen only faired only slightly better going down 14-23.

Saturday June 11th. Today the Club hosted the Ladies County Two Wood Competition. Both greens were in use and over thirty ladies from the south of the county took part. There were four ladies from Devizes Joyce Little & Sheila Garlick both lost in the first round. Rosemary Bradbury won her first round game on an extra end, but was unable to capitalise on this in the next round. . Sue Ochyra was lucky enough to have a bye in the first round but then went on to win two close games and secure a place  in the County Last eight this will be played at Purton on June 25th. It was a good day for the club the greens were in excellent condition and many complimentary remarks were made on how well they bowled. The Ladies in the kitchen yet again did a great job. Thank you to all who helped to show what a great club we have.

Thursfay June 10th. Last night the NWL Alpha team set off to North Wilts for their 5th game of the season. Up to this time points have been hard to come by and this was a must win game. Sue Ochyra, Patricia Reeves & Rose Keen raced away to a 14-1 lead after 8 ends. Then the opposition lengthened the  jack resulting in a 5 end scoring spree to bring them back to 13-14. Devizes then reclaimed and shortened the jack which swung the game back in their favour for the last 5 ends culminating in a 25-13 victory. On the next rink Marguirite Alexander, Wendy Gaisford & Yvonne Atkins also started well but were pegged back to be level going into the last end. Devizes got an early wood on the jack and a nervous few minutes later emerged as the winners to complete a much needed 6 point victory for the team.

This is an excellent illustration of how important it is to get the jack in the right place for your team !!!! I can also report that the Diamonds also took 6 points at North Wilts last night.

Wednesday June 8th. Sue Ochyra, Wendy Gaisford, Joyce Little & Rose Keen travelled to Wilton to take part in the Winslow Trophy. They played four games totalling 21 ends and won three of them - finishing with a score of 27-21 which placed them third equal at the venue.

Tuesday June 7th. The North Wilts League Alpha team went to Spencer Melksham hoping to pick up some points but, sadly were unable to compete on a very difficult green and returned home empty handed.

Monday June 6th. Marguirite Alexander & Sue Ochyra went to Alderbury to play in the County Pairs they were drawn against last years winners and put up a strong fight on a heavy green but eventually went down by three shots.

Saturday June 4th. Last night Sue Ochyra & Marguirite Alexander went to Box to play in round two of the national over 55s Pairs against Alex Jacobs & Sue Cooke. The game was very keenly contested all the way through with some excellant shots being played by all four bowlers. Devizes went into the last end three shots down but managed to take a three to force an extra end sadly we went down by one shot and the result was 24-25 to Box. (Webmaster says "surely we would have been disqualified for fielding an underage team")

Friday June 3rd. After a number of last minute changes to the team eight ladies set out for a friendly game against Spencer Melksham yesterday. The rink skipped by Wendy Gaisford, with Rose Keen, Marion Butcher & Sue Taylor narrowly lost 15-20. The one skipped by Sue Ochyra, with Yvonne Atkins, Alison Giles & Margaret Cave had a good win 29-11 so Devizes won 44-31, a big thank you to Rose, Wenday & Alison for stepping in at various and increasingly late stages.

Tuesday May 31st. On Tuesday The NWL Alpha team travelled to Malmesbury in their quest for more points. After playing two closely contested games Devizes had taken four of the six points available. Sue Ochyra, Patricia Reeves & Rose Keen won by five shots and Marguirite Alexander, Angie Roberts & Yvonne Atkins lost by four shots so the aggregate was narrowly achieved by one shot

Tuesday May 31st. Last Friday two triples set off to play a third round game in the County Triples. Marguirite Alexander, Sue Ochyra & Joyce Little put up a good fight at Amesbury against a very strong triple who have eventually gone on to be in the final and therefore, to play at  Leamington. Lesley Russell, Sue Long & Rosemary Keen went to Spencer Melksham and lost to a triple who went on to be semi finalists.

Friday May 27th. Yesterday afternoon we played a two rink friendly at home to Broughton Gifford it was not very warm and the wind thretened to knock us off our feet at times but the rain held off and we had an enjoyable game. Stella Wilson, Faye Dowse & Bev Lilley won 21-9 Marie Greenwood, Judith Howe & Sue Ochyra won 20-13 to make a victory overall 0f 41-22. We retreated to the clubhouse for a very welcome cup of tea and a lovely spread laid on by Joyce Little.

Thursday May 26th. Judith how writes Devizes Dark Horses have played three league games. The first was against Devizes Diamonds and we won, followed by a win against Calne Bees. Last night we played Chippenham Town Dragons we had one loss and one win taking four points, "well done folks".

Wednesday May 25th. In the Nor West League tonight Devizes Dark Horses were victorious against Chippenham Town Dragons, more detail to follow

Tuesday May 24th. Our Nor West League Alpha team were away to Box last night unfortunatly we came away empty handed.

Monday May 23rd. Marguirite Alexanda, Sue Ochyra & Joyce Little went to Blue Circle to play in the second round of the County Triples. The game started in drizzle and by the eleventh end things were not looking good on what can only be described as a challenging rink! however the sun came out and after picking up a 4 and a 6 the scores were level at 15 - 15 after 15 ends. The game was in the balance again as the last end got underway but Devizes emerged as the winners 18-16 to set up a third round game at Amesbury on Friday. Lesley Russell, Sue Long & Rose Keen also got throuigh, but Sheila Garlick, Yvonne Atkins & Mary Jones were beaten by the weather and the rink at Winsley.

Sunday May 22nd. Yesterday Sue and Marguirite played in the first round of the Over 55s pairs at Box and came out as the winners. The next round is again at Box.

Friday May 20th. Well done to Marguirite, Sue & Joyce and also Lesley, Sue & Rosemary for getting through in the Triples today. Sheila, Yvonne & Mary Had A bye. Good luck to everyone in Monday's next round. Well done also to Marguiorite, Sue, Patricia & Joyce for doing well in the fours. Yesterday we had a lovely afternoon at great Bedwyn for the ladies friendly, interesting gbreen but a great tea and we won.

Thursday May 19th. Last night the NWL Alpha team played their first game of the season at home to a strong team from Avon and finished up with four points out of six. Marguirite won and Sue only lost by one shot in a hard fought game. Also The NWL Devizes Diamonds returned from Calne with all six Points.

Wednesday May 18th. Ladies Friendly against Great Bedwin I understand was a victory for Devizes, no further detal available.