Bassingbourn made the difficult visit to Great Shelford for their third Cambridge and District League Division 1 game of the season, and notched a 64-58 win. On rink two, Bob Stevenson made his debut for Bassingbourn and acquitted himself well, despite th

Bassingbourn made the difficult visit to Great Shelford for their third Cambridge and District League Division 1 game of the season, and notched a 64-58 win.

On rink two, Bob Stevenson made his debut for Bassingbourn and acquitted himself well, despite the pressure mounted by the opposition's lead, who bowled extremely well.

Toni Infanti and Ian Stewart both failed to make the shots they would normally have, and after nine ends they trailed 9-4.

Bassingbourn reduced the deficit to two shots at 12-10, but Great Shelford just edged the last ends to run out winners 16-10.

On rink three, Roy Chaplin made his comeback after two years of injury.

Chaplin, along with Don Slater bowled well for the first nine ends, with Bill Manley also on form to establish a lead 13-4.

All three Bassingbourn bowlers then went off the boil and allowed Great Shelford to win the next six ends, including a dropped six.

But the last three ends were a tense affair, which Bassingbourn won to help secure a deserved 17-17 draw.

Anne Brown joined Dave Lester and Ken Clark on rink three, and through consistent bowling the result was never in doubt. The trio achieved a good result by winning 24-12.

Jamie Stewart, Andy Brown and Graham Parrish on the final rink were neck-and-neck with their opponents up to end 11, with the score at 8-8.

Bassingbourn picked up a four on the next end, but then managed to win only one more shot.

At the start of end 18 the score was 13-13.

Stewart, and then Brown, moved the jack nearer to the ditch.

Shelford then drew a shot within a foot of the jack to leave Parrish a fire to remove the shot or kill the end.

His first attempt missed by a whisker, but his last wood removed their shot, leaving no woods within a yard of the jack and a relieved tie was achieved at 13-13.

Bassingbourn picked up five points to help in their defence of the title.

And it has been a perfect start to the season for them, as they have dropped only two points from 21 in their first three games.

n Royston went down 55-24 to Rosedale in the National Two Fours competition, losing on both rinks.

But they notched a decisive 53-24 win in the Two Rink League over Letchworth Conservatives. Skip Peter Adams guided his rink to a 22-16 win, while Mick O'Flanagan's rink romped home by 23 shots.

Royston hosted county competitions, and in the pairs Andy Keating and Brian Pepper fought hard but lost to a strong pair from Riverain.

Keith Dockree and Roger Davies won 21-15 against opponents from Hitchin BC.

Simon Lee and Mick O'Flanagan had no trouble with a 24-17 win over a duo from the Three Horshoes BC.

Sean and Dennis Young coasted home 29-15 against their opponents from Norton. Peter Adams and Matt Coppen triumphed over Riverain with a 21-13 win. Peter Graves and partner Will Martin walked it with a 26-10 victory over Holwell.

Royston Ladies triples team suffered a heavy defeat on home territory against a very strong contingent from the Baldock BC.

Bassingbourn were the hosts in a Meldreth & District League Mixed Triples match, and won 69-50.

Royston needed a win to boost their confidence, and this they achieved on three rinks, which had close results.

But one rink lost by 22 shots and this was the deciding factor, which at the end of the day gave Bassingbourn the overall win.

In a Letchworth & District Singles competition, Royston's Dennis Young was up against Steve Chamberlain from Datchworth BC.

In a very close game, Chamberlain just piped Young to the line by two shots, 21-19.

Royston Vets faced ICL Vets in a mixed triples, played at Whitehorn in Letchworth. In a very close game, Whitehorn won by 7 shots, 78-70.

In the Meldreth & District League Royston were away to Great Chesterford, and secured a comfortable 26-shots victory 85-59.

On Saturday Royston welcomed Golden Horse BC in an annual event over six rinks, and won the game by just three shots, 111-108.

Royston were in action against Hertford Castle Garden on Sunday, needing a win to remain in the competition, and achieving it 52-43.

Sunday also saw Royston meet Sawbridgeworth in a friendly, and narrowly went down 100-93.

Steeple Morden 73 (6)

Gt Shelford 63 (1)

Steeple Morden names first: Rink One: M Skinner, M Meade, H Jarman, G Busby 19; Gt Shelford BC 13. Rink Two: K Austin, K Jones, G Meade, T Barker 21; Gt Shelford BC 16. Rink Three: T Mack, M Revels, D Sheehan, K Eversden 11. Gt Shelford BC 18. Rink Four: D McKee, R Flack, P Bigley, S Clarke 22; Gt Shelford BC 16.