THREE Harpenden players, Noel Roberts, Pauline Taylor and Dena Roberts continued their success in various singles competitions. In the London & Southern Counties Gold Badge Noel played Paul Cater (West Ealing), the Gold Badge winner in 2002, and, after

THREE Harpenden players, Noel Roberts, Pauline Taylor and Dena Roberts continued their success in various singles competitions.

In the London & Southern Counties Gold Badge Noel played Paul Cater (West Ealing), the Gold Badge winner in 2002, and, after being 11-17 down, came back to win 21-18 and reach the Area B final. Noel is also through to the semi-final of the St Albans and District Champion of Champions, having beaten Mike Poole (Welwyn & Diatrict) 21-19 in the quarter-final. Pauline and Dena have reached the semi-final of the County Unbadged Singles, Pauline having an excellent win against Nicola Coombe (Cassiobury), one of the John's Trophy squad. She was 15-20 down but then scored six single shots in successive ends to win 21-20. Pauline and Dena will play each other in the semi-final at Oak Hill on 14th August.

In the National Mixed Pairs there was a cracking match between two Harpenden pairs, Linda Newby and Tony Redford and Linda and David Brooks. It was nip and tuck all the way and the scores were level after four, eight, 13, 18 and 20 ends. On the last end, Linda Newby put her second wood right on the jack and it stayed there to win the match 17-16 and put her and Redford in the Area final against Martin Coles (Garston) and Carol Brown (Kings Langley).

Harpenden men continued their progress in the County League with a fine victory over Townsend by 45-37. John Osborn's rink was close until the 15th end but they scored 12 shots on the last six ends to win 25-18.

Tony Redford's rink stormed into a lead of 19-6 after 13 ends but Townsend came back strongly and Redford's rink won only one more shot, but that was enough to win 20-19. Harpenden gained a maximum six points and have now scored 20 points from four matches.

In the quarter-final of the Stockman-Winser mixed fours, the team of Jan Reid (sub for Lorna McGown), Linda Newby, Rob Newby and Simon Burgess (Harpenden) beat Alan Cox, Brenda Collins, Helen Cox and Reg Collins (Welwyn Garden City) 24-10 and will meet Vera Hoare's team (Harperbury) in the semi-final.

TOWNSEND are now approaching the business end of the season with County Finals and District semi-finals for individuals.

In terms of club competitions Townsend advanced to the last 16 of the prestigious London & Southern Counties Shield with an 82-57 win the same day the club regained the Stock Trophy with a 93-72 win over Century overturning a 10-shot first leg deficit. Sunday saw a narrow District League win over Harpenden.

Unfortunately, Monday saw Harpenden win the County League on both rinks taking the six points with a 45-37 victory, this led to the big one, the last 16 of the EBA 2 fours at Wellingborough.

On Saturday morning the hoodoo struck again with Townsend losing to Cheltenham 42-31.

As individual competitions go, Andrew Briden beat club mate Danny Macro 21-17. Andrew was not so lucky in the fours and pairs losing to his nemesis Martin Coles of Garston, nonetheless he is going to Worthing representing Townsend with his rink of Alan Charran, John Godmanand, Danny Macro and with John in the pairs.

THE last 10 days has seen St Albans & District play Finchley, North West Essex and Letchworth all in very competitive matches.

Finchley lost by 28 shots, NW Essex by 10 and the District lost by 119-97 against Letchworth at Hemel. Everyone agreed all three greens bowled really well and the hospitality offered by all clubs was excellent. The District bandwagon now rolls on to club shield matches the first next Saturday against the president's own club Townsend. Unfortunately due to his cancer Stuart is unable to play at the moment but hopefully will be here to cheer the side on.