HOW did it all go wrong? For the past three weeks, Chawton Park IBC ladies and men have played national and county competitions against strong clubs from various parts of the country, winning on every occasion. But the situation changed drastically in their latest matches.

Chawton’s men and ladies were both playing against teams from Atherley Bowling Club, based in Southampton.

For the ladies, it was the second round of the Yetton Cup, a national knockout competition. After five ends, Chawton’s home and away rinks were both finding it a real battle and it appeared they would lose on all four rinks. However, in the last three ends Margaret Holden’s rink managed to win by one shot, while Brenda Plumpton’s rink ended the game four shots in front.

But this was not enough to compensate for losses on the other two rinks and Chawton went down by 19 shots, 73-92.

The men’s match was the second game in the Bramley League, a Hampshire County competition. From the very start, Chawton struggled to keep pace with the Atherley players.

John Kellow’s away rink managed to creep ahead by the finish of the 15th end, but this small advantage was soon lost. And so it continued, with Chawton losing on all four rinks.