IT looks to be another successful year ahead for Royston s British Isles under- 25 Singles Champion Matt Coppen, who has been selected to attend a trial for the England under-25s squad. The trial will take place at the Norgren BC on Saturday, May 24. Th

IT looks to be another successful year ahead for Royston's British Isles under- 25 Singles Champion Matt Coppen, who has been selected to attend a trial for the England under-25s squad.

The trial will take place at the Norgren BC on Saturday, May 24.

The club got its competitive season underway with a vital 50-28 victory over rivals Baldock in the National 2x4s Competition.

On rink one, Colin Pawson, Laurie Ramsay, Matt Coppen, and skip Peter Adams coasted home with a 28-12 win, while on rink two, Simon Lee, Mel Flack, Mick O'Flanagan, and skip Stewart Brown, had a tougher encounter in their 22-16 win.

Royston, however, could not add a second National 2x4s Competition win as they slipped up against Holwell BC.

After taking an early lead, Royston's team of Brian Pepper, Peter Fisk, Terry Hollands, and Derek Goodwin at skip, were up against some good bowling from their Holwell opponents, and went down 23-13.

However, it was hoped that Royston's other rink of Stan Whitehouse, Will Martin, Shaun Young, and skip Don Sheriff, would be able to gain enough shots to carry the day, but this was not to be.

Although they put up a spirited effort, they were unable to gain the four shots required to secure a win and went down 40-37.

Royston had another big game when they played Whitehorn BC of Letchworth in the National Top Club Competition.

Brian Pepper set the ball rolling by winning his two singles, while Matt Coppen followed suit by winning his four singles.

Simon Lee and Stewart Brown had a comfortable win in the pairs, coasting home 36-10, with the triples rink of Terry Hollands, Shaun Young, and skip Mick O'Flanagan, triumphing 21-6.

Not to be outdone, Peter Adams lead his fours rink of Don Sheriff, Laurie Ramsay, and Mel Flack, to a decisive 21-9 victory.

Four rinks of triples was the format for the first home veterans game of the season for Royston, who took on Howard Gardens from Letchworth.

At the end of the game, just 10 shots separated the two teams, with Howard Garden taking the honours with a 71-61 victory.

However, the vets bounced back with a 89-78 win over Three Horseshoes BC.

With close games on four rinks, it was left to Don Sheriff to lead his triples of Jo Bannerman and Peter Nightingale, to a decisive 27-11 win.

Meanwhile, six of Royston's bowlers have been selected by the Herts County Bowling Association to take part in the Middleton Cup squad trials.

They were Peter Adams, Mick O'Flanagan, Shaun Young, Matt Coppen, Simon Lee, and Stewart Brown.

RESULTS

Buntingford 81 Stotfold 103

Rink Results: Buntingford names first: Rink One: T McDonagh, H Brant, B Dingley, E Plume 30 B Every, R Minnis, M Everitt, A Holloway 20

Rink Two: G Thrower, J Cook, R Kinchin, J Powell 19 J Sanderson, P Burrow, E Legate, M Cave 31

Rink Three: B Ellis, T Gibbs, J Jones, J Stone 15 B Buck, D Falla, M Legate, A Offord 23.

Rink Four: P Warren, A Sievert, G Swaby, B Moules 17 P Bennett, K Barrett, D Sholfield, F Amos 29

Buntingford 106 St Neots 103

Rink One: S Gravett, R Evans, D Stone, B Moules 22 M Anderson, H Hemming, S Wren, K Towson 14.

Rink Two: T McDonagh, K Thrower, H Brant, D Geere 19 C Towson, J Hickson , J Selvy, J Davies 14.

Rink Three: G Gibbs, P Geere, V Moules J Stone 19 B Danborn, B Matthews, C Saunders, M Woodburn 18.

Rink Four: G Thrower, G Jones, A Sievert, R Webber 16 C Southwood, M Davies, S Knight, C Leader 16.

Rink Five: B Gravett, J Hawes, R Kinchin, B Stone 15 D Edwards, G Myson, K Pateman, D Rygraves 20

Rink Six: M Kinchin, J Jones, L Purdy, L Purdy 15 M Knights, Y Woodborn, C Myson, G Hickson 21