THE MEN’S annual autumn tour this year was a successful trip to North Devon.

Under the stewardship of Spencer Melksham’s Pete Sanders, the 2016 county men’s president, the touring party of 31 was based in Barnstaple, playing a total of four games over a long weekend winning two matches and losing two.

Five former Wiltshire men’s presidents, a Bowls England director, several county officials, next year’s president and players from 14 Wiltshire clubs were represented.

The opening day saw Wiltshire Tourists face local club Barnstaple but despite sharing the rink honours 3-3, they lost 125-109.

The victorious rinks were skipped by guest Don Fox (nine shots), Winsley’s Cliff Gumm (five) and senior vice-president John Southern (four).

On day two, Wiltshire suffered another loss this time by 23 shots to Rock Park (Barnstaple) 118-95, only winning on one rink that was skipped by Fox by nine shots.

However, the next day, the tourists finally found the winning formula as they defeated Bideford Victoria Park 117-100, although rink honours were shared 3-3.

Top skips on the day were Spencer Moulton’s Ian Francis (23 shots), Chippenham Park’s Keith Hutchens and Dave Royal, who both recorded 13- shot victories.

The winning sequence was continued on the final day at West Backwell on the way home where the Moonrakers registered a 143-84 victory.

The Moonrakers took the honours, winning on four of the rinks.

Top rink just was the foursome of county president Peter Sanders, Ross Wheeler, Tudor Lloyd and skip Steve Rose who won by 21 shots - with a three on the last end - to edge out Dave Royle’s foursome by one shot that included at three Moulton’s former county president Roger Green.

Also skipping their fours to victory were Dan Harvey (16 shots) and Fox (11), his third win of the tour.

The tour also raised £600 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, president’ Sanders chosen charity this year.

Sanders’ final task as the 2016 county men’s president, before handing over the chain of office to John Southern (Amesbury), 2017 president-elect, is to present the prizes to all of the county men’s championship and competition winners and runners-up at the men’s annual dinner and presentation evening at the Assembly Hall, Melksham, on Saturday, November 19.

2016 Wiltshire Tourists: Ken Bray (Avon), Alec Burden (Amesbury), Dave Eaton (Royal Wootton Bassett & Shrivenham), Malcolm Ellis (Marlborough), Ray Fernandes (Swindon), Don Fox (guest, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts), Derek Francis (Avon), Ian Francis (Spencer Moulton), Rod Giles (Rodbourne Cheney), Roger Green (S Moulton), Cliff Gumm (Winsley), Peter Harding (Amesbury), Dan Harvey (Rodbourne Cheney), Steve Herridge (Swindon), Vic Hilton (RWB), Frank Hinchliffe (Westlecot), Keith Hutchens (Chippenham Park), Keith Jopling (RWB), Tudor Lloyd (S’don), Jack Peterson (Supermarine), Howard Pryse (S’don), Dave Royle, Steve Rose (both RC), Pete Sanders (Spencer Melksham), John Snell (Alderbury), John Southern (Amesbury), Mike Tuohy, Andy Watson, Barry & Ross Wheeler (all S’don) and John Wilks (RWB).