THE all-day women’s annual gala is a highlight of the season for Harwich Indoor Bowls Club.

Ladies’ captain Brenda Vernaven invited 20 teams from across Essex and Suffolk and the winning triple, from Clacton, consisted of Ronnie Simpson, Jackie Flatman and Sheila Simms.

They were presented with handbags.

Runners-up Jackie Lush, Margaret Willis and Wendy Behn, from the Happy Valley outdoor club, received evening bags.

Meanwhile, Harwich won 82-61 in a mixed triples friendly at Sudbury.

Vernaven’s team played very well on new territory.

Playing with husband Ben and Chris Barker, they won by seven shots.

Keith Forsyth, skipping Colleen Johnson and Carol Sutton, were never in trouble, winning by 12 shots.

The triple skipped by Keith Hindle, with wife Jackie and Pat Mitchell, fought a close game, winning by five shots.

The triple skipped by Sandy Mooney, assisted by George Gilmour and new bowler Ray Hoy, played exceptionally well, although losing by just three shots.