The penultimate gala of Rugby Thornfield Indoors' season was a twelve team affair with all funds going to the Arthritis Care charity.

With the opening round of games completed three teams were tied for top spot on seven points “3 Amigos & Steve”, “The Young & The Old” and “Double Ds”. “The Foursome” were a point behind in fourth while “Welsh All Stars” were fifth with five points. Heading into the half-time break “The Young & The Old” held a slender lead over “The Foursome” and “Double Ds” in joint second. “3 Amigos & Steve” had slipped to fourth while “Mix & Match” came from the chasing pack to claim fifth spot.

The lead changed hands again as “Double Ds” moved into top spot, second place was “The Foursome” with “The Young and The Old” now third. The top five was completed with “Mix & Match” in fourth and “3 Amigos & Steve” in fifth. A perfect eight point game saw “The Foursome” (Mandy Dahlgren, Chris Knapp, Pat Dahlgren & Colin Knapp) storm to the front with a five point gap between them and “Double Ds” and “Mix & Match” in joint second. A further four points behind in fourth were “The Young & The Old” with “Welsh All Stars” just behind them in fifth.

This year Comic Relief weekend and Mothers Day clashed so only ten sides took to the carpet for the Gala in aid of Comic Relief and some of those teams played as triples rather than full rinks.

“Tip & Run” held a one point lead over “Alfie & the E Numbers” and “Bowling Funny” in joint second. “Speckled Hen” and “Red Nose Rejects” completed the top five. After two rounds were completed “Tip & Run” still held onto top spot, “Alfie & the E Numbers” were second, “Speckled Hen” were third and “The Misfits” fourth. In joint fifth were “Four Minus One” and “Bowling Funny”.

“Speckled Hen” jumped into the lead after the half time break. “Tip & Run” and “Alfie & the E Number” were joint second, “Misfits” held fourth spot and “Bowling Funny” completed the top five. With the final games completed “Speckled Hen” (Keith Oakes, Bill Brown and Colin Hall) held on to first place with 24 points. 21 points secured second place for “Tip & Run”, one point clear of “Bowling Funny” in third who in turn were a point ahead of fourth place “Alfie & the E Numbers”. “The Misfits” completed the top five with 17 points. The remaining teams were “Four Minus One” (15 pts), “Red Nose Rejects” (14 pts), “Wasps” (13), “Red Arrers” (8) and “The Good Lads” last with 6 points.

Thornfields run in the Wessex League came to an end against Carterton. Despite a second half fightback by the away rinks they both finished down, Carter by 5 and Wilkins by 7 but he was left chasing shots in his last end. Both home rinks started well though Carterton finished the stronger. Pearcey held on for a 9 shot win but Ward lost by 3 on the last end. Overall score 71-77

Rugby Thornfield Indoors Bowls Club added another charity gala to it's line up with the inaugural running of the gala in aid of the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.

“Rainbow Warriors” and “Mo Pat TT” led the way after the first round of games, both teams picking up the maximum eight points. “You Need to Grow Some Bowls” and “Bob's Your Uncle” were a point further behind, while “Four Musketeers”, “Old Speckled Hen”, “Whatever” and “Red Mist on the City” completed the list of teams who made a winning start. Heading into the midway break “Old Speckled Hen” and “Bob's Your Uncle” moved into joint first. “Four Musketeers” were in third place. In joint fourth were “Rainbow Warriors” and “You Need to Grow Some Bowls”.

With three rounds played just three points separated the top six sides. Leading the pack were “Rainbow Warriors” and “You Need to Grow Some Bowls”. “Old Speckled Hen” and “Mo Pat TT” were a point behind, “Bob's Your Uncle” a further point back and “Red Mist on the City” completing the top six. “You Need to Grow Some Bowls” (Jennifer, Derek, Darren and Tom Wheeler) held on to secure first place with 25 points. Joint second on 23 points were “Mo Pat TT” and “Red Mist on the City”. “Bob's Your Uncle” took fourth spot, fifth went to “Rainbow Warriors”, with “Whatever” sneaking into sixth.

Special mention goes to “The Professionals”, a team of non-bowlers who took on the bowlers. They might have finished bottom but they enjoyed the gala and helped raise over £500 on the day.