Harris takes Leamington to victory in tense finale

However, Ivor Harris achieved a single shot with the last bowl on the final end to give Spa a match-winning 45-44 success.

Tony Farmer’s rink of Peter Hooper and Terry Southgate had gone down to a heavy 21-9 defeat to Spa’s Bryan Rooke, Malcolm Wickens and Wilsdon, with Bernard Rose, Eric Slater and Colin Baldwin repairing some of the damage with a 15-11 over Mike Wilkes, Peter Cotterill and Mike Wallace

On the third rink, Ian McKay skipped Stuart Aitken and Roy Scrivens to a 20-13 over Harris, Dick Allibon and Barry Connolly, but the concession of the final point swung the match Spa’s way.

Royal Leamington Spa’s ladies succumbed to a 58-47 defeat in their three-rink friendly at Stoke (Coventry).

The Wyn Jackson-skipped quartet let a five-shot lead slip over the last three ends to draw 21-21, while Donna Kerr and Jean Smithard suffered 19-12 and 18-14 defeats, respectively.

Newcomer Dawn Horne made an impressive start for Spa’s ladies the following night at Bilton.

Horne was part of the only winning rink as Spa went down to a 90-64 defeat in their four-rink friendly, teaming up with Norma Day, Cynthia Briggs and Sadie Grimsley for a 19-13 success.

Lillington men’s first match of the campaign resulted in a 114-95 defeat to visiting Rugby.

Only three shots separated the teams going into the final three ends, but Rugby found their range, with Nigel Roach’s four almost seeing an eight-shot lead evaporate and the Keith Francis quartet leaking six shots without reply.

Malcolm Welch skipped Ted Rheams, Mike Sibbick and Mike Hall to Avenue’s highest winning rink.

Rink scores (Lillington bowlers first): Malcolm Welch 23 M Courtney 15; Keith Francis 13 N Townan 25; Geoff Ward 12 A Apson 20; Bill Robbins 14 A Johnston 16); Nigel Roach 19 J Carun 18; Dennies Lee 14 N Honitson 20).

Lillington’s ladies faired much better, with friendly wins over Southam and Stoke.

Liz Crowther skipped a 20-6 win as Lillington overwhelmed Southam 50-29 in their three-rink triples, Chris Ward (15-10) and Pat Gagg (15-13) also successful.

A 21-9 for Pam Ponting’s quartet then proved the difference in a 42-41 three-rink friendly win over Stoke.

Chris Venn drew 13-13, while Bernadette McDonnell suffered a 19-8 defeat.

A 19-11 win for Mal Eaton’s rink proved in vain as Whitnash’s ladies lost 52-46 at Three Spires.

Maureen Tims led Evelyn Darlison and Cheryl Saywell to a hard-fought 18-15 success, but a resounding 26-9 defeat for Mary Davis’ triple at the hands of Norma Willey left Whitnash with too much to make up.

Kath Morrissey skipped her rink to a 20-7 success as Whitnash bounced back with a 50-27 success at Banbury Chestnuts in a three-rink triples.

Sue Owen was also a comfortable 18-6 winner, with Mal Eaton’s four suffering a narrow 14-12 reverse.

Courier League results: Division One: RLS 4 (45) Avenue 4 (44); Whitnash 6 (56) Little Compton 2 (38); Lillington 0 (25) Wellesbourne 8 (76); RLS 3rds 2 (37) Stratford 6 (60).

Division Two: Home Guard 2 (51) WCC A 6 (56); Welford 4 (55) RLS 4ths 4 (53); Fenny Compton 4 (48) Southam 4 (50); Norgren 4 (65) Home Guard 2nds 4 (46). To be rearranged: Shipston Sports v RLS 2nds.

Division Three: Snitterfield 3 (38) Kineton 5 (51); Welford 2nds 4 (54) Lillington 2nds 4 (55); WCC B 6 (50) Lillington 3rds 2 (42); Warwick Boat Club 2 (40) FISSC 6 (58); Whitnash 2nds 6 (54) Avon 2 (44).