IT was ‘round four’ in the local bowls rivalry stakes when Alton Social entertained Alton BC in the Basingstoke League’s Hants & Berks Cup, with Social still smarting from a narrow defeat in the National Top Club.

Social dominated this first-round encounter. Mark Fyfield’s rink led from start to finish, winning 29-5. Adam White’s rink lost the first end, but were never behind again, coming home 28-9. Dave Atwell’s rink were level at 14 ends, but then slipped to a 10-18 defeat. Social won overall 67 shots to 32.

Margaret Holden had a double success in national competitions, firstly with Lesley Johnson in the senior pairs at Cove, recording a fine win over Jan Allen and Alyson Flint, and then reversing last year’s loss with a comfortable 21-6 win against Pam Lambshead (Cowplain).

Dick Holden, Mark Fyfield and Adam White won at Kingsclere to reach the County triples area final. The trio were then joined by Basa Smith for a very close match against Neil Clarke’s Basingstoke Town four.

All-square at halfway, the match reached an exciting climax when Basingstoke held three on the last end. In an effort to get the match-winning fourth shot and avoid an extra end, Town skip Richard Burgin dislodged the jack to only hold two and was unable to retrieve the situation. A one-shot advantage thus gave Social a place in the area final.

Social ladies won their Thornbury Trophy match at Liphook. It was an all-Social affair in the North Hants pairs, with Doreen Atkins (sub Sue Murray) and Marjorie Rowledge getting home against Flo Ward and Brenda Plumpton.

Alton Social beat Marnell 5-0 in the Whitchurch League, but Marnell returned the next day for a Stan Hardman League fixture and got their revenge by beating leaders Social 5-2.

Alton Social hosted their first ever first inter-county match last week, with Bowls Hampshire Ladies playing Sussex Ladies. On a baking hot afternoon, Bowls Hampshire won by 19 shots.