AFTER a slow start to the season the Great Yarmouth Bowls Club finally recorded some better results. With some of the absent senior players returning to match play in the Lovewell Blake Malta Cup, the A team recorded their first win of the season, beating Martham A 79-63, 6-1 points.

AFTER a slow start to the season the Great Yarmouth Bowls Club finally recorded some better results.

With some of the absent senior players returning to match play in the Lovewell Blake Malta Cup, the A team recorded their first win of the season, beating Martham A 79-63, 6-1 points.

B Baker, L Gutteridge and G Barnes raced into a 12-0 lead and never released their grip to triumph 28-15.

L Comerford, J Hewitt and M Colcombe were 20-1 up, then dropped 10 shots, but held on to win 21-11. C Smith, D Bowers, and D Mann were 9-2 down at seven ends, but some consistent bowling enabled them to win 19-11. A Comerford , P Comerford and A Calver were 5-19 down at 10 ends and never recovered to lose 11-26.

The B team also had a very good win at Martham B 79-57, 6-1 points.

T McNulty, R Pooley and B Drake led the way with a convincing 27-13 win. E Bulley, P Ladmore, and W Moss won a close game 18-16. R Albone also recorded a 29-12 win. T Westgate, S Carpenter and W Moss won a close game 18-16 and S Wheeler, J Elliott and Capt J Dispain lost 14-16.

Pride of place must go to the Great Yarmouth Federation team who went to Caister and won 92-57.

T Westgate, J Elliot and D Bowers had a big win 24-7. M Yarrow, A Smith and S Carpenter also won

27-14. A Towers, A Thompson, and S Wheeler won a close game 21-16 and S Hopwood, J Dispain and Captain P Ladmore came from behind to draw 18 -18.

In the ladies' national competition J Howlett lost her singles match

11-21.

In the county fours, J Burrage, J Howlett, P Ellis and C King went to Bradwell and won 22-8.

They played a rink from Norfolk Bowling Club at the Britannia Club and won a thrilling game 22-17.

LOVEWELL BLAKE MALTA CUP LEAGUE: The first games of the season in the league were held last Monday, and Gorleston have started well with a 20-shot win against Gt Yarmouth A.

The local derby between Acle A and Freethorpe A was won by Acle A 5.5-1.5.

In Division Two, Cantley overhauled Great Yarmouth B on the seafront by a massive 50 shots for all the points and Bradwell B had a 31-shot win at home to Martham B.

With the loss of Browston, many of their former players are still involved, many going to Bradwell, some to Gorleston and some of their top players going to Freethorpe. A new-look league and players should make for an interesting season.

Home team captains please phone in the results on the night and your top block scores and skips.

BRADWELL BOWLING CLUB: The Ladies' team, as yet unbeaten in the Lovewell Blake Ladies' Malta Cup, won at home against Ormesby.

The hardest-fought game was played by Diane Purnell, Kath Hewitt and Dahlia Macdonald. Opening with four shots, they were overtaken on the 12th then snatched one on the last for 16-15.

The Men's Malta Cup B team won on three rinks at home against Martham B, recording 88-57 and gaining six points.

Tom Williams, Barry Hubbard and Paul Vincent were the highest scoring Bradwell block, achieving six shots on the seventh end and five on the 16th towards their 31.

In the Norfolk Federation League, Bradwell's Red team lost by five points at home to Stalham, despite two drawn games.

Malcolm French, Roy Turner and Terry Payne seemed done when 2-14 down at the half-way point, but they permitted no Stalham score from the 12th and tied 16 all.

The Green team, at home to Acle won 63-43, the highest scoring triple being Alan Harrison, Kath Hewitt and Charles Hutcheson who were

20-1 ahead by the ninth then had to defend their lead against determined competition, finishing 24-13.

Away against Martham in the Hansells Norfolk County EBA League, Bradwell's A team lost 50-58. Scores on all rinks were close, no more than three shots difference on any.

Bradwell lost by one shot the Lothingland League match on the Cliffs against Burrage A, 79-80. Each team won two rinks.

Somerleyton came to Green Lane for a Lothingland League match on Thursday, taking home two points and leaving five.

Bradwell's closest score was earned by Peter King, George Coxsey and Alan Collins. Comfortably ahead

20-13 on the 19th, they were shocked by a six from do-or-die rivals but took the last end for 21-19.

Bradwell went to Somerleyton, this time in the Lowestoft and District League, but lost quite heavily, gaining only one point.

Winners were Tom Hall, Terry Gallant and Colin Deverill. From

11-1 on the sixth this triple was under siege from resolute opponents but survived with 19-17.

Entry in the two open tournaments is still possible, also in the new Bradwell Butchery Tournament with its magnificent trophy.

All three will be played to the same format as last year, winners receiving substantial cash prizes.

Interested bowlers should, without delay, contact Andy Cameron on 01502 517379.

ORMESBY BOWLS CLUB: In the Federation Sub Area C League, Ormesby Blue team had a 7-2 win over Great Plumstead away.

On a very nice green Ormesby scored 52 shots to 44. Winning blocks were S Smith, M Chegwidden and D Humphries 18-13 and F Shaw, C Fortescue and M Smith 19-14. The losing block was M Hunt, J Chegwidden and K Dongray 15-17.

In the sub area B League the Ormesby Red team played a good game at home to Bacton but lost narrowly 4-5. They won on two rinks but lost on the other with an overall score of 49 shots to 57.

The Ladies' Malta Cup team won at home to Martham by 4.5-1.5. Overall score was 46 shots to 44. They won on one rink 21-10, drew 15-15 on the second and lost 10-19 on the third. The winning block was M Hunt, M Chegwidden and S Stamp.

The Ladies' Malta Cup team also played Bradwell at home. They won on one rink and lost on two. Ormesby winning block were R Vincent, S Smith and S Stamp. Overall score was 44 to 59 (1-5).

Against Caister away they went down 33-73, 0-6pts.

The EBA team played at home to Cantley and an excellent performance earned a 4-1 victory. Top block was B Rafferty, F Shaw, K Dongray and P Clutterbuck. Overall score 69-54.

Ormesby B team played Filby away in the Great Yarmouth and District League Division Two and lost 49 to 88 (0-7). They lost on all four rinks. Best block was J Bratton, S Smith and P Downes.

Ormesby B also played Gorleston at home and narrowly lost by 68 shots to 72 (2-5). Ormesby won two rinks and lost two. Winning rinks were J Bratton, M Chegwidden and D Horne, 24-14 and R Vincent, A Stamp and F Shaw, 21-16.

In the Malta Cup Ormesby played Acle B at home. A valiant effort with two blocks getting a draw 18-18 and 16-16 and one block winning, C Fortescue, J Baxter and K Scott-Greenard. An excellent last wood from K Dongray earned a draw. Overall 2-5 loss 64-65.

Non-league county matches saw mixed fortunes. M Clutterbuck/H Farrow lost their pairs at home to M Barker/S Bates (Great Plumstead) but M Clutterbuck won her singles match against P Duffield at Great Plumstead.

P Clutterbuck, B Williams, and J Nickerson lost their triples against a strong Acle block. P Clutterbuck, B Williams won their EBA pairs against Bradwell at home. P Clutterbuck won his singles against Martham and Acle.

ROLLESBY'S results improved over the last week and at home against Filby in the Broadland League they had a convincing win with victories on all four rinks.

S Allen, T Wilkin, G Curtis 24-12; F Walker, D Gammon, T Avery 23-14; J Temple, R Blunden, B Temple 19-15; J Palmer, C Johnson, A Palmer 20-16. Overall score 86-57, points 7-0.

Entertaining Spixworth in the Duffield League with the sun on their backs, Rollesby's form continued with a comprehensive

75-40 win. J Mason, D Gammon, M Thomas 20-8; J Seeranj, M Coots, T Coots 25-8; C Johnson, A Christie, R Blunden 16-19 points 8-2.

Playing Gorleston Conservatives in the first round of the Watering Bowl at Burlingham, good wins by three of the blocks saw Rollesby progress to the next round with an 88-67 victory. S Daniels, E Taylor, J Catchpole

29-11; J Palmer, T Wright, B Catchpole 23-16; J Temple, B Temple, G Curtis 23-17.

Away to Caister A in the Yarmouth League on a cool and misty evening, Rollesby's wins on two rinks were not enough to overcome the heavy losses on the other rinks and the visitors had to be satisfied with two points on the night. J Palmer, T Wright, A Palmer 17-14; J Avery, T Coots, T Avery 24-16. Overall 62-91.

At home in the Broadland League against Hickling, Rollesby shared the spoils with two rinks each but ran out comfortable 5-2 winners, overall score 82-62. J Palmer, E Taylor, A Palmer 27-13; J Avery, M Coots, T Avery 24-13.

MARTHAM: In the EBA County League Martham played Bradwell at home and in a close game all rinks won to win 58-50 for all five points.

In the Malta Cup the A team played Fleggburgh Private two rinks won and two lost to win 75-55, 5-2.

In the Yarmouth League Martham A went to Potter Heigham and lost 74-68, 5.5-1.5.

In the Watering Bowl, Martham A beat Halvergate Top Green 98-58 and in the County Cup it was Dilham Cross Keys 62 Martham A 94.

The B team gained only one point away to Hickling despite being a close game. The only block to win was R Manser, S Moore and C Starkings.

Martham Ladies travelled to Acle and gained five points, top block Monica Fisher, Sue Moore and Jane Watson.

In the County Cup the ladies lost at home to Docking 43-66.

In the Norfolk County League Martham B were away to South Walsham Mallards. On a very heavy green Martham B played well to get four points.

BRADWELL BOWLING CLUB: Colin Deverill won the club drive last Saturday with the high score of

31-11. Jean Collins was a close second with 29-16.

In Monday's drive Frank Hatton and Madge King both recorded 25, but Frank took first prize with

11 shots against him while Madge had 12.

The club's annual charity day will be Saturday, June 26 and the chosen charity this year is the local Red Cross.

Club members should register to bowl by 2pm at the latest on the day and note that the winner will receive the crystal Charity Bowl to keep for a year.

On Charity Bowl afternoon all club members and visitors will be welcomed at the green to take part in the 'fun' bowling, or browse the cake stall and other attractions in the Golden Jubilee Pavilion.

CAISTER BOWLS CLUB: In the EBA away in the Hansell League, Caister won against Yarmouth A 85-37 (5-0).

At home in the Malta Cup, Caister won against Ormesby 87-56 (5-2).

The ladies playing at home against Yarmouth won 81-37 (5.5-0.5).

In the Federation County League, Caister A at home to Hickling A lost 51-52 (4-5).

Caister Castaways, away to South Walsham Swans, lost 40-54 (2-7). Caister Centurions, at home to Rollesby, won 61-30 (7-2).

In the County Cup, Caister B entertained Caister A and lost 51-90.

In the Great Yarmouth and District League, in Division One Caister A played Rollesby at home and won

91-62 (5-2). In Division Two, Caister B played Yarmouth Britannia at home and lost 57-93 (0.5-6.5).

In the Watering Bowl, Caister A played Potter Heigham at Martham and won 75-68. Caister B played Northgate at Halvergate and lost

69-83.

HICKLING BOWLS CLUB: A good week as in the Yarmouth League they beat Filby 5.5 to 1.5. The A team beat Caister 5-4 and the B team beat Hemsby 7-2. The Ladies beat Freethorpe 6-0.

In the Watering Bowl Hickling had their only loss of the week against Woodbastwick 74-68.

In the county triples, Alan Kimber, Ron Clay and Chris Nudd played three lads from Acle and beat them 21-9. The quarter-finals will be played during June.