Harpenden played host to the Hertfordshire divisional finals and it proved a happy hunting ground for Townsend.

Having reached the end of season play-offs as runner-up, Townsend saw off Welwyn Garden City in the morning semi-final with a 33-30 victory.

That set-up a final meeting against neighbours Batchwood who had beaten Welwyn & District in another close contest, this time just by one shot.

The Townsend rink of Les Perkins, Andy Scarborough, Peter Armstrong and Matt Pope took an early lead in a low-scoring first few ends.

But they continued to chip away and frustrate their opponents, accumulating points for a 21-3 win.

That was more than enough to put one hand on the trophy but the second rink of Robbie Ransted, Bob Lawrie, Peter Thomson and Alan Charran made sure with a 20-9 win for an overall 41-12 success.

There was also district success in the pairs with Thomson and Charran reaching the final for the third year in succession.

Their passage was far from plain sailing, however, and with neither team able to score multiple shots, a low scoring, close struggle was eventually settled on an extra end after an 11-11 draw.

Predictably, that was only decided by the final bowl, Charran drawing closest to a wood that had been ditched by his opponent.

The final against Potters Bar is on Saturday back at Harpenden.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden's ladies won the 2023 County League South play-off final. Picture: HBCHarpenden's ladies won the 2023 County League South play-off final. Picture: HBC (Image: Harpenden Bowling Club)

Harpenden themselves had plenty to celebrate.

The ladies' team of Rachel Stephenson, Viv Dale, Carol Glanfield and Linda Brooks won the County League South play-offs, beating North Mymms in the semi-final and Welwyn & District in the final.

Brooks also reached the final of the district champion of champions competition.

That takes place at North Mymms on Sunday.

Jennie Redford and Nick Muir were runners-up in the London & Southern Counties mixed pairs winning a trophy and pennant for the club.

St Albans Bowling Club held a skills competition for its members last Sunday, run by John Harvey, to raise money for the St Francis Hospice.

Players were set different, sometimes unusual, tasks on the bowls green to earn points.

The event was blessed by good weather and the winner for the ladies was Ann Wilkinson, with Richard Hall taking the men's prize.

The day raised £400 for the Hospice.

Inter club fixtures resulted in two defeats for St Albans.

Wednesday's match at Harpenden was a mens' triples, the home side winning 87-65 with the only winning rink for St Albans being a 29-12 success for Rod Perks, Chris Palmer and Andy Kay.

Saturday's match at Berkhamsted was a mixed triples on five rinks.

St Albans won on only one, for an overall 96-79 loss. Their top rink was Chris Howlett, Linda Burfield and Mike Pitkin.