TAUNTON Deane Bowling Club’s new president, Mike Beale, welcomed more than 120 members and guests to President’s Day earlier this month.

Bowlers filled the indoor and outdoor rinks, as members enjoyed competing in friendly games, playing for either the president’s or the captain’s teams.

The afternoon finished with a delicious tea prepared by Beale’s wife, Ann, and a band of volunteers.

The £300 raised by a huge raffle will go to support Beale’s charity of the year, the League of Friends, Musgrove Park Hospital.

Meanwhile, Taunton Deane men are continuing their good start to the outdoor season.

In the West Somerset League, the B team enjoyed a resounding victory over Watchet, winning overall by 75 shots to 35.

Scores: A Stone, J Frost & A Jenkins 24-5; J Berry, S Blackburn & L Batten 23-13; M Kennedy, D Clarke & J Tucker 28-17.

In Somerset County League Premier 2, the Taunton Deane A team held onto a narrow lead from the halfway point in the game to take the win over Weston Bath A, by just four shots (49-45).

Scores: C Takle, A Williams, C Day & T Day 14-18; N Best, A Jenkins, T Foxwell & B Southward 18-14; T Keates, M Reeve, J Bament & M Beale 17-13.

In County League South West 2, the Taunton Deane B team also had a tight game against Bridgwater C, winning on two rinks to one and overall by seven shots.

Scores: M Kennedy, A Davis, A Stone & L Batten 18-17; BJ Hawkins, J Frost, T Hembrow & N Nation 15-20; P Mear, D Hagger, J Berry & D Clarke 26-15.

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TAUNTON Bowling Club ladies played their first two matches in the South and West League, played on a home and away basis.

Their first encounter was against Somerton, when due to heavy rain they only played 11 ends, getting two of the six points.

Scores: Home - S Mattravers, F Hunt, M Mattravers, V Bishop 14-11; Away - J Barlow, T Ella, J Harris, J Pattow 4-15.

Westlands was the next match, and Taunton managed to get four points from the fixture.

Scores: Home - F Hunt, M Wallanger, P Warburton, P Bridges 27-15; Away - J Young, T Ella, A Keale, M Affleck 18-21.

A friendly four triples mixed match was played at Chard, where Taunton found the green very difficult and lost heavily by 27 shots.

Scores: Taunton 46, Chard 73 (Skips: K Mildrew 18-9; V Jarman 10-25; J Garball 9-21; N Maggs 9-18).