MEMBERS of Gilwern Bowling Club scored a hat-trick of wins on their first tour in many years.

Travelling to North Somerset and staying at The New Ocean Hotel in Weston Super Mare, they played three games over the weekend, with the first at Clevedon, the home club of multi-capped England international and national champion David Bryant, which has a museum honouring his achievements.

A five-rink triples game was played with Gilwern winning on three rinks to seal victory by 114-67.

The following day another five-rink triples game was played on the picturesque L-shaped green by the church at Banwell Bowls Club.

Again, Gilwern won on three of the five rinks to secure victory by 80-74.

The final game was at Winscombe Bowls Club, where excellent driver Richard became a fully-fledged tourist when he was seconded into the team to make up a four-rink game.

Gilwern were successful again, winning on three rinks to record an 81-55 victory.

The tour was a success from a playing perspective but was made even more enjoyable by the welcome, the friendly atmosphere and the facilities at all the clubs visited, along with the condition of the greens.

In addition, the excellence and camaraderie of Gilwern’s coach driver added to the occasion and left members all looking forward to the next one.

The following Saturday, Gilwern played a Monmouthshire BA league game at Firbank, who are pushing for promotion into the fourth division.

Although in contention after two-thirds of the game, there being an 11- shot difference across the four rinks, after the 13th end, their opponents took control to score a convincing 116-58 shot victory.

The only rink to stay in contention was that of Tony Corfield who dropped six shots over the final five ends to lose 23-21.

All three other rinks suffered comprehensive defeats – Bryant Chivers 13-28, Richard Davis 6-28 and Mark Wells 17-37.