NEWTON Abbot Bowling Club has two ladies representing them at The Johns Trophy once again this season.

Isobel Burley and Julia Barnes represented Devon Ladies in a Johns Game at Clevedon Promenade Bowls Club against Warwickshire Ladies and emerged overall with a nine-shot win. Devon will now play Gloucestershire on July 6 and hopefully will again win and advance to Leamington.

Isobel Burley has won both the Ladies 2-Wood Major Singles and Ladies 4-Wood Major Singles Section 5 Finals and will now go on to the Open Stages. The 4-Wood is to be played at Culm Vale on July 7 and the 2-Wood at Paignton Bowls Club on July 28 with all support being welcomed.

Meanwhile, Shaun Grice was selected to play for Devon Men in The Middleton Cup and played at Topsham in a match against Dorset. Although the game was lost by two shots, it is played in group stages so there are still more chances to qualify, as is the Johns Trophy. Newton’s Will Stevens was a reserve for this one.

Returning to Isobel Burley and she was ¼ of the Ladies Major Four team that reined victorious, and will next play at Culm Valley on July 21. Also in that team were Eileen Coombes, Joy Medley and Julia Barnes with the same quartet also reaching the Section 5 Final of the Ladies Major Senior Finals.

From an individual point of view, Mandy Holtby lost in the Ladies Major 4 Wood final, whereas Will Stevens is waiting to find out his opponent for the men’s equivalent.

Keith Mortimore, Steve Doyle, Shaun Grice and Phil Underhill reached the Section 5 Final of the Men's Major Senior Fours, but unfortunately for Keith was unable to play due to feeling unwell. Geoff Hard took his place and they sadly lost to Shaldon. Shaldon also overcame the trio of Ken Howard, Alan Mann and Roy Johnson in their major final.

Newton’s ladies have two wins and a defeat in the SDL League to date, the loss coming against the very impressive Devon Kings team.

The men's A Team have also got off to a good start, winning their first three games with 33 points achieved. The B Team lost their first three narrowly and the C team got off to a flyer with a 14-0 win against Totnes B.

Finally, there is the matter of the next Tourist Game for Newton, which will take place on June 18 against Soar Valley Tourists. To date they are three players short so should any of members that can play read this, make yourselves available and known if at all possible.