Louth bowlers move step closer to County League title defence

The visitors travelled without three regular lady players, but nonetheless won on three of the five rinks and drew another in a 98-89 victory.

The best winning margin for Louth was produced by the rink of Colin and Carol Smith, with John Welsh and Brenda True who had a comfortable win, while there were victories for the rinks skipped by Simon Reeson and Mike Norton.

Allan Dent’s rink did very well to fight back to gain a draw.

With rivals Spalding losing at Stamford, Louth extended their lead at the top of the table to 10 points, with each team having one game to play, and a maximum of 18 points to play for.

* Derek Blow and Paul Wright clinched the Thee-Bowl Pairs League Division Two title with a 21-15 win against Jane and Ron Conway.

They have now completed their fixtures, and although second-placed pair Sue Gurbutt and Tim Prescott have two games to play, they remain six points adrift despite a 27-7 victory over Denise Day and stand-in partner Fred Bradley.

* Tornados are just one win away from securing the second division title of the Morning Triples League after making it 14 wins on the trot.

They enjoyed a comfortable victory over Backwoodsmen to open up a nine-point lead.

There is a three-way battle for the runners-up spot, with Otters moving into second place on shots difference, replacing Jaywalkers who they beat 14-9.

Louth are a point further back after being another victim of the Tornados’ successful run.

* It’s getting closer at the top of the Evening Fours League where Fast Shippers beat Wayouts 22-8 to move within a point of leaders APS who didn’t play and now, perhaps crucially, have a game in hand.