Purnell power past Backwell

Purnell's A team continued their progress in the National Top Club competition with a comprehensive victory over West Backwell.

They won on all five rinks to book a tie away to Ilminster in the next round.

Purnell ladies were also in good form, winning by five shots at Keynsham in the Somerset Fear Cup.

In the Somerset County competitions, the ladies triples of Jan Dart, Jane Gullick and Di Challenger lost to Clevedon on a wet night at Purnells.

The men's fours of Ron Ferris, Don Dart, Mike Talbot and Bryn Hawkins lost by five shots against a strong Bath quartet skipped by England player Craig Doughty.

However, Purnell will have one foursome in the quarter-finals after Terry Priddle, Paul Curtis, Mike Pratt and Steve Amor beat Weston (Bath) by a single shot. They will play Yeovil at Keynsham in the last eight.

Another wet day on Saturday saw the men's A team make the long journey to Minehead to play a rearranged game in Somerset Premier 2 and they were emphatic winners, picking all 12 league points.

Meanwhile, nearly 60 Purnell members travelled south for a trip to Portsmouth and Southampton.

They played a match against Alexandra Bowls Club in Portsmouth before heavy rain set in, forcing the cancellation of matches against Southampton Old Green and Woolston the following day.

However, the Purnell contingent enjoyed social activities and visited the oldest green in the world at Southampton as part of their trip.

On the way home, club president Bryn Hawkins presented Janet Palmer with gifts to thank her for organising the weekend.

Anyone interested in playing bowls can attend the club any evening.