MILLWOOD Bowling Club were hoping to get back to winning ways when they travelled to Murch Bowling Club.

They faced Murch in the season's opening league game and were returning for the reverse fixture in the CML division four.

When the first five ends were completed Murch had crept into a slender two shot lead at 18 shots to 20. Murch then started to bowl much better to Millwood’s surprise, and after the tenth end had been played, there was a 13 shot advantage in favour of Murch to lead at 32 - 44.

On completion of the 15th end, Millwood had clawed back a few shots but not quite enough to make a dent in the deficit, as Murch still had a 52 - 61 shot advantage.

Unfortunately, Murch proved to be the stronger side on the day and ran out worthy winners by a 27 shot total, to win by 92 shots to 65.

Rinks two and five for Murch proved to be the difference between the sides, so credit to them.

This result has not made any improvement in Millwood’s position in the league table. Millwood A clinch victory after closely contested bowls match

Rink 2: A Perry, J Robinson, M Hughes, D Poole skip - 32

T Mahoney, K Thomas, N Parry, G Williams skip - 14

Rink 3: M Warman, J Harrison, J Allen, L Augrey skip - 19

B Webb, G Smith, J Slee, B Crockford skip - 22

Rink 4: G Saunders, T Price, G Lane, R Mauchline skip - 17

A Anniss, B Davies, K Davies, P Taylor skip - 19

Rink 5: R Crouch, T Phillips, I Williams, G Russell skip - 24

M Williams, H Spencer, J Butler, A Evans skip - 10

Final score: Murch 92, Millwood 65

Millwood A welcomed Murch A in a division seven league game in the expectation of a keenly fought game.

On the end of the first five ends played, Millwood had taken a five shot lead of 19 shots to 14, but the lead changed hands after the tenth end for Murch to be in front by 34 shots to 37.

Millwood began to turn on the pressure, and after the 15th end Millwood had progressed into a 63 - 48 shot lead, which proved just that little bit too much for Murch to try and claw back over the final six ends.

Millwood ended the game by a winning 12 shot total 84 - 72.

Rink 2: M Evans, P Guard, S Sewell, AA Williams skip - 19

D Perkins, D James, G Perres, L Brooks skip - 14

Rink 3: H Hodgkinson, N Tutton, D Gorrange, R Gregory skip - 8

E Atkins, Giddings, D Rogers, A Cress skip - 30

Rink 4: C Mallows, R Wills, D Cameron, A Norris skip - 31

P Willis, M Goddard, name unknown, name unknown skip - 16

Rink 5: D Lewis, P Childs, B Williams, A Thompson skip - 26

D Letts, N Coles, R Huntley, name unknown skip - 12

Final score: Millwood A 84, Murch A 72