Louth Bowls: Tough day at the office in County League

It was only the second time in 10 matches they had lost the aggregate score.

The only success for the visitors came from the rink comprising Horace Cope, Barry Southwell, John Readman and Barry Mountain which won 23-14. Keith Kelly’s rink came close, but eventually lost by two shots.

* At club level, JCB carved out a 20-7 victory over Square Pegs in the Wednesday/Thursday Morning League to stay five points clear of Waltham who beat Webbos 21-10.

Sturgeons are a further four points back despite wining 12-9 against Crackerbarrels, but fourth-placed Kingfishers lost the chance to draw level on points with Sturgeons when they lost 18-8 to an inspired Square Pegs team.

* It’s becoming a tight contest at the top of Division Two where just one point separates the top three teams.

The top two each experienced a win and a loss but it had no effect on the positions. Leaders Sleepwalkers eased to a 20-5 win against Saints but then lost 16-11 to Fledglings.

Their lead at the top remained at one point, however, as Backwoodsmen failed to capitalise in their two games, suffering a surprising 23-5 defeat against Doves before beating Scorpions 17-11.

Fledglings notched a second victory, beating Wise Guys 15-10, to move level on points with Backwoodsmen, but with an inferior shots difference.

* Keith and Carol Kelly opened up a four-point lead at the top of Division Two of the Friday Mixed Pairs thanks to a 20-16 victory over third-placed George Foster and stand-in partner Brenda True.

Second-placed Roy Tear and Sylvia Stainton also lost, 19-10, to Andrew McMaster and Mary Barker.

Division Three leaders Moore and Cowling did not play, but retained their one-point lead as Ray and Sue Green failed to take advantage when beaten 28-8 by Dave and Lorraine Evans.

Among other notable results, Charlie Briggs and Anne Malcolm recorded their first win with a 14-10 victory over Gordon and Brenda Clark.

* Fightback of the week came in the Afternoon Triples where the Poachers trio of Paul Hayman, Tony Powell and Doreen Taylor recovered from 10-0 down against Chalkers to win 11-10.