Avenue quartet facing a stern test in National Mixed Fours

Lisa Smith, Moira Parsons, Matt Wordingham and Andy Smith will now go on to face Jamie Walker (Northampton West End), winners of last year’s competition.

Lillington’s midweek four-rink derby at home to Avenue went to the visitors by 80 shots to 68.

There were two winning rinks apiece, with John Buggins claiming a 27-11 success for Lillington and Ron Walton matching him for Avenue.

Nigel Roach skipped a 20-19 win over Mark Smith, with Bill Port’s 23-10 victory over Mick Preedy swinging the match Avenue’s way.

Avenue also go the better of Lillington in their Stratford Hills League encounter.

The match looked a foregone conclusion with Chris Barton 17-5 up after ten ends, but A Cox fought back and was only denied by one shot at the conclusion.

On Saturday, Avenue’s men suffered a 95-73 defeat at Rugby BC, with Andy Smith’s emphatic 31-13 win proving their only success in a four-rink encounter.

There was better news the following day, however, when Avenue won the ladies’ gala at the same venue.

Twelve teams entered the knockout competition with £100 going to the winning team of Chris Walton, Hazel Higgins, Terry Taylor and skip Chris Barton.

Meanwhile, Lillington won the second leg of their Jacob Trophy clash against Three Spires 98-83 but the difference was not enough to overturn the first-leg deficit.

Lillington won two and drew two of the rinks, with John Henfrey skipping Mike Cox, Dave Print and Daniel Ellicott to a 28-shot winning margin.

Vice-captain Malcolm Welch skipped the other success.