The St Albans & District bowls finals were held at Harpenden in extremely hot and sunny conditions - with Townsend among those enjoying success.

The heat sapped the energy of spectators and competitors alike with the Townsend duo of Peter Thomson and Alan Charran scheduled to play in three finals.

The two-wood triples was up first, Bob Lawrie joining the two to play the home club.

Normally a relatively quick discipline, this was so hard fought that it was only decided on the final wood by Charron, an hour after match was scheduled to finish.

Charran and Thomson then won the pairs, 48 years after the former's first district pairs win in 1975.

And as the temperature started to abate, the third challenge was started and completed.

This time they were joined by Rena Williamson and Jane Dixon for the mixed fours against Harperbury.

And after starting strongly, they were never really challenged for the trophy.

Townsend also played one other match, away to Shire Park Tewin, winning three of the four triples for a 67-61 success.

The top rink comprised Nigel Whittle, Brian English and Bob Padget who won by seven shots.

Herts Advertiser: Nick Muir receiving his champion of champions Trophy. Picture: HARPENDEN BCNick Muir receiving his champion of champions Trophy. Picture: HARPENDEN BC (Image: Harpenden Bowls Club)

Harpenden's own efforts at the district finals brought them a success too with Nick Muir winning his champion of champions match against Toby Bunting of Hemel Hempstead.

The beaten side in that exciting two-wood triples was David Brooks, Neil Herrington and Steve Pariser.

Herts Advertiser: The 2023 SADBA Strofton Trophy is presented by SADBA president Gordon Burrow to John Osborn, Simon Burgess and Trevor Tharby. Picture: HARPENDEN BCThe 2023 SADBA Strofton Trophy is presented by SADBA president Gordon Burrow to John Osborn, Simon Burgess and Trevor Tharby. Picture: HARPENDEN BC (Image: Harpenden Bowling Club)

Harpenden won the SADBA president’s charity gala, the Strofton Trophy.

It was a tough schedule for each of the 24 teams entered who played four sets of six ends.

But the Harpenden team of Trevor Tharby, Simon Burgess and John Osborn clinched the trophy with two strong Potters Bar teams in second and third place.

The trophy was handed to them by SADBA president Gordon Burrow with more than £500 raised for his chosen charity, SENSE, which supports everyone who is deaf blind or has complex disabilities.

Herts Advertiser: Paul Miles, Marcus Lewis and Eileen Englebright of St Albans. Picture: ST ALBANS BCPaul Miles, Marcus Lewis and Eileen Englebright of St Albans. Picture: ST ALBANS BC (Image: St Albans Bowling Club)

St Albans Bowling Club's final district club rinks league fixture away to Hemel Hempstead saw 67-37 win for the hosts, winning on all three rinks.

Peter Browne, Chris Howlett, Ian Simons and Andy Kay came closest to nicking a win for St Albans.

The club held its own ladies' gala with 10 triples teams playing four rounds of five ends each.

The winning squad, scoring 28 points, was Paul Miles, Marcus Lewis and Eileen Englebright.

Last weekend saw the finals for the St Albans & District Bowling Association held at Harpenden BC on Saturday and the ladies Association finals at North Mymms BC on
Sunday. 

Batchwood Hall were represented in the district finals too.

Brian Parkes narrowly lost the the Officers Singles to Gus Edwards from Shire Park 21-18 and there was a runners-up prize too for the triples team of Mark Trembling, Eddie Clark and Dave Gauthier.

The ladies fared better though.

Lesley Tutt had a thrilling finish in the singles with three shots on the last end giving her a 21-20 success over Mary Banks of Hatfield.

Two triples from the club won league final, overcoming WGC ladies by a total of six shots across the two rinks.

But the 8 ladies playing Potters Bar BC in the Double Rink could not make it a hat trick, winning on one rink by 1 shot, but going down 11 shots on the other rink.

Batchwood hold their own club finals next and there are still a few more friendly matches to be played before the end of the campaign.

Closing day comes on September 30 when club president Beryl Birch will be presenting a cheque for £848 to a representative of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.

The hospice was the chosen charity this year with the total raised coming from various bowling and social events throughout the season.