Datchworth and Shire Park (Tewin) went toe-to-toe in the Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League and in the end there was very little to separate them.

It was Datchworth who got the decision in Tewin, beating Park's Green team 34-32.

The home side picked up two points thanks to a 20-15 rink win for Richard Griggs, Alan Goddard and Byron Sinfield but three shots gained over the last two ends by Datchworth's Howard Carrick, Janet Akers and Chris Hills proved crucial.

There were more late points on the other rink too, six shots in the final four ends for Jan Smith, Phil Holzbauer and Terry Metcalf handing them a 19-12 success.

All that came after they trailed 8-0 in the first four ends too.

Datchworth were very busy with other competitions as well.

There were two Stevenage Mixed League matches, both ending in defeat, while an East Herts League clash with Stevenage was abandoned due to rain after six ends, the points being shared.

However, the men beat Ware at home in the County Team 10 competition, winning on three of the four disciplines.

Mike Mahoney took the singles, Rob Hazeu and Les Parsley won the pairs and the four of John Oliver, Graham Akers, Steve Arnold and Peter Hills were also victorious.

They now go to Mill End in the round of 16.

The men also won in the County League, beating Northaw & Cuffley 39-30 at home.

Mahoney, Richard Harper, Hazeu and Parsley won their rink 21-12 while there was a draw on the other.

Shire Park meanwhile had better luck in other league matches.

They beat Buntingford 39-21 at home in the East Herts League, claiming all six points thanks to two rink wins.

Bernie Kleiser, Barry Wright and Gus Edwards won 15-12 but the best of them was a 24-9 success for Alan Goddard, Steve Calladine and Ian Kirsch.

Back in the Welwyn Hatfield League, the Yellows won 37-30 away to Hertford.

This time the only winning rink was Bill Griffiths, Angus Mullin and Edwards who won 18-10.

There were two friendlies too.

They lost 82-73 at home to Hertford, the only winning rink of the five played being that of Catrina Griggs, Chris Wright and Edwards.

They also lost 66-62 away to Townsend, all despite winning on three of the four rinks.

The top rink was the 18-15 success for Elaine Wulcko, Dave Venables and Linda Draycott.