Letchworth and District Bowling Association began their 60th anniversary season on Sunday. It was with their customary opening game against Royston Town Bowls Club. The incoming president Ron Adams, of Whitethorn BC, took charge for the first time in a cl

Letchworth and District Bowling Association began their 60th anniversary season on Sunday.

It was with their customary opening game against Royston Town Bowls Club.

The incoming president Ron Adams, of Whitethorn BC, took charge for the first time in a close contest finally decided in Royston's favour over the last third of the game.

At the 12th end tea break, only one shot separated the two teams but Royston restarted the stronger eventually winning five of the six triples and claiming the match 116-89.

The district's only winning rink consisted of Geoff Streeter (Shephalbury), David Graham (Stevenage Town) and skip Les Lane (Hitchin Town) who won 18-17.

The other results (skips only) were: D Eddington 10, D Sherriff 29; S Chamberlain, 16 M Randal 19; C Cole 16, A Potter 20; D Webb 15, T Holland 16; D Wright 14, C Wilson 15.

Howard Garden beat St Ippolyts by 77-72 in their Stevenage and District Mixed League match taking five points to two on Sunday.

Brian Pike and his team of Brenda Wood, Peter George, and Les Smith were Hotshots (full house) on the fourth end and won their rink by 32-14.

Howard Garden's midweek bowlers lost 77-91 against North Herts last Wednesday.

Hitchin Town travelled to Welwyn Garden City on Saturday only to lose by 27 shots (66-93).

On a fast green, three of the scores were close for most of the game, only resolving themselves in the later stages.

The top Hitchin rink was Pam Ball, Jackie Dawson, Gerry Billingham and Ian Thorne, scoring 17 shots in the last six ends.

Rink one: B Clark, N MacLeod, G Munge, L Lane lost 10-25. Rink two: S Hearne, N Webb, A Cook, S Dawson lost 4-35. Rink three: R Allen, J Warren, D Conder, A Hill won 24-19. Rink four: P Ball, J Dawson, G Billingham, I Thorne won 28-14.

Hitchin Town went to Wardown Park in Luton on Sunday for a triples match, returning with an eight-shot victory (56-48).

It was another hot afternoon, with Hitchin winning two of the three rinks. The top Hitchin rink was Barbara Clark, Mike Wells and Ivan Page, by virtue of most ends won.

Rink one: G Corda, J Hill, G Munge won 24-18. Rink two: R Allen, R Parker, M Wadsworth lost 17-21. Rink three: B Clark, M Wells, I Page won 15-9.

Hitchin's weekday bowlers played at Luton Co-op's green last Tuesday, winning by 67 shots to 65, and again at home in Hitchin to ICL Life Members last Thursday, winning by 67 shots to 66.

Luton Co-op, rink one: Reg Allen, Derek Conder, Geoff Munge won 15-13. Rink two: Terry Carter, Neil MaCleod, Bill Harrison won 23-10. Rink three: Stan Hearne, Gerry Billingham, Mick Squires lost 12-20. Rink four: Joe Corda, Mike Williams, Ken Porter lost 17-22.

ICL Life Members, rink one: Brian Marsden, Neil MaCleod, Diane Porter won 19-13. Rink two: Reg Allen, Derek Conder, Mike Williams lost 14-16. Rink three: Anne Marsden, Barbara Clark, Ken Porter lost 15-19. Rink four: Sid Wheatley, Joan Squires, Bill Harrison won 19-18.

Shefford's ladies started their East Beds League campaign with the A team winning a close game against Biggleswade by one shot.

The men went out of the National Top Club competition last Thursday, losing 4-1 to Henlow - a disappointing result as the club reached the area semi-finals last year.

Friday saw the club entertain the St Saviours side from Jersey, a game which Shefford won.

On Saturday, the ladies had a 66-32 win at Russell Park. The men played Howard Garden from Letchworth and won 110-56, winning on all rinks. The highest winning rink was Colin Crouch, Dennis Stevens, John Batcheldor and Ralph Archer.

Sunday morning saw the ladies play Bedford Borough in the National Travel Sphere competition and progressed to the next round winning 3-1.

The annual Gents versus Ladies game was cancelled in the afternoon due to the morning game.

It was a busy week for Datchworth Bowls Club with seven games.

Scores: Datchworth Blue 31 Shamrock 55; Datchworth 66 Stevenage Veterans 86; Datchworth Blue 33 Castles 33; Datchworth Gold 39 Ware Maltisers 23; Datchworth 87 Much Hadham 68; Datchworth 105 Shire Park 100; Datchworth 80 Willian 86.