THE first round of the BDBA Hants & Berks Cup pitted Alton against town rivals Alton Social in a keenly-fought and at times noisy contest.

Alton, missing some regulars, struggled to match a Social squad strengthened by an influx of new members. There were comfortable wins for the Adam White and Mark Fyfield rinks, while Ian Urquhart’s rink trailed by seven. Final score: Alton Social 74, Alton 39.

Social’s Stan Hardman League team continued their fine form with a 7-0 points win at Marnell. The B&D triples and Whitchurch League teams both suffered heavy 5-0 points defeats.

Alton Social ladies recorded a first-round win over Howard Park in the Gazette Cup.

Margaret Holden had a particularly busy week. She beat Alyson Flint 21-19 at Cove in the national Champion of Champions and followed up with a fairly comfortable win over clubmate Hazel Marke in the National Senior singles. Then it was back to Cove to play Alyson Flint again, this time in the Hampshire singles. Holden won by an even closer margin, 21-20, to reach the area final.

Margaret Holden, Brenda Plumpton and Hazel Marke were on Bowls Hampshire Johns Trophy duty in Maidstone and lost to a strong Kent team 4 rinks to 2. The next day, the same three were part of Bowls Hampshire’s Walker Cup team (2 rinks) which beat the Isle of Wight 52-29.

Adam White beat John Lovell (Yateley) to reach the singles area final. He was joined by Mark Fyfield and Dick Holden for the Hampshire triples at Cove. With the scores level at 15 ends, Social dropped a five, but then picked up a four and a one to force an extra end and ultimately win a place in the area final.

Doreen Atkins and Marjorie Rowledge won at Alton in the North Hants pairs.