MIDWAY through the season, Alton Social bowlers are still in contention to qualify for the later stages of national and county competitions.

In the national pairs, Kate Fyfield and Dave Atwell recorded a fine 21-13 win over Cove duo Terry Hart and Alyson Flint. Margaret Holden was twice a winner, 21-7 over Cove’s Jan Allen in the senior singles and then she and Lesley Johnson comfortably defeated Whitchurch 22-7 in the senior pairs.

Social ladies went down by seven shots at Cove in the Top Club, while the men were edged out 43-42 by Basingstoke Town in the double rink.

In the Hampshire men’s triples, Reece Graham (12 years old and playing his first year of outdoor bowls), Gordon Summerhill and Dave Atwell secured a one-shot win over Old Basing to reach the area final. Adam White’s triple lost out on an extra end at Cove, but there was success for Barry Smith/Mark Fyfield and Gordon Summerhill/Dave Atwell, both reaching the pairs area final. Dick Holden made it to the area final of the two-wood singles.

Margaret Holden registered wins over Carol Carter (Basingstoke Town) and Alyson Flint (Cove) to reach the area final of the Hampshire ladies’ singles. A one-shot victory and fine performance took Margaret and Kate Fyfield to the area final of the pairs.

The ladies’ County fours area final was an all-Alton affair, played out at Hook BC. Social had a wealth of experience in Alice Atwell, Hazel Marke, Brenda Plumpton and Margaret Holden, but Alton BC ladies Linda Habberfield, Nicky Day, Terrie Beech andNorma Craighill called the tune for 20 ends and led by six going into the last end. But it’s never over until it’s over, and Social scored six to take the match into an extra end, where they completed a somewhat fortunate victory.

Lesley Johnson, Hazel Marke, Brenda Plumpton and Margaret Holden reached the final of the Hampshire senior ladies’ fours with wins over Swanmore and Milton Park.In the men’s senior fours, Gary Johnson, Brian Scowcroft, Derek Ham and Dave Atwell defeated Gosport in the quarter-finals before losing out to Boscombe Cliff in the semis.

Lesley Johnson/Marjorie Rowledge and Margaret Holden/Brenda Plumpton recorded wins in the County senior pairs and Marjorie Rowledge and Brenda Plumpton were victorious in the Golden Girls.

Social ladies continued their defence of Hampshire’s Thornbery Trophy with a comfortable win over Liphook. Alton Social overcame Yateley 5-0 in the mixed Top Club, although the match that was not as one-sided as the score suggests. Social ladies were in dominant form again as they beat Pyestock on all rinks in the North Hants Gazette Cup.

Farnham BC results:

Three Counties League

Farnham 53, Rowledge 51. June 26. Details (Farnham named): B Martin, F Camis, I Webster won 14-13; A Butler, S Webster, R Picken lost 19-23; B Johnson, J Booth, V Greenfield won 20-15.

Aldershot League: Premier Div

West End A 82, Farnham 49.

Haslemere BC results:

Frensham 38, Haslemere 54 (June 30).

Three Counties League (June 26)

Holloway 2pts, Haslemere G 2.

Haslemere B 4pts, Bourne 1.