Polegrove teams contest thrilling semi-final

The trio of Mary Bray, Cherrie Stephens and Lorraine Hume clinched a 17-16 win over Ann Moore, Margaret Adcock and Doris Wickenden in a nail-biting tussle that swung this way and that.

Bray's team opened up an 8-3 lead before their club-mates hit back with a four to cut the deficit to a single shot. The match was soon tied up at 11-all after 11 ends, but four ends later Bray was basking in a three-shot advantage only for Moore to hit back with a four.

Going into the last end, Moore was a shot ahead, but Bray's team nudged the jack into the ditch to score two shots and clinch victory by the narrowest of margins.

Bray's triumphant trio will take on Leicester A in the National Finals at Leamington Spa on August 8.

Polegrove were edged out 78-71 by Beech Park, Worthing, in the Top Club Final at Peacehaven on Saturday. Scores: Singles - L. Hume won 21-8; Pairs - M. Adcock & D. Hodd lost 18-24; Triples - C. Stephens, A. Pole, M. Williams lost 11-22; Fours - M. Bray, J. Larkin, D. Wickenden, A. Moore lost 21-24.

The four of Hume, June Larkin, Wickenden and Moore won 18-10 against the Lindfield quartet of W. Brown, C. Sugarhood, S. Wilmot and S. Wellum at the County Semi-Finals Day at Haywards Heath on Monday. They will play Hampshire in the first round at Leamington Spa, which gets under way on August 1.

Wickenden and Moore were beaten 27-20 by the Saffrons partnership of G. Lower and J. Wells in the County pairs semi-finals.