England keep their bowls team title

England retained the British women's team title in Jersey yesterday, despite suffering a disappointing defeat at the hands of Scotland in the last session, when Ellen Falkner returned England's only winning card.

The English team, which included three teenagers and several players in their twenties, finished level with Scotland and Wales on points, but had a shots difference of +104, compared with their rivals, who tied on +5.

"We were over the moon at retaining the title, but it was a slightly disappointing way to end the series by losing to Scotland," said Yeovil's Edna Bessell, whose rink pulled back from 12-1 to lose narrowly, 11-13.

"Scotland always raise their game against us, but we knew before the game started that we were virtually certain to win the title, because they needed to beat us by 54 shots – and they were never going to do that," Bessell added.

Women's home international series in Jersey:- Scotland bt England 93-89 – Rink scores (Scot skips first): L Dickson 14, C Popple 12; M Letham 13, S Hazell 11; L Stein 20, P Strong 11; S Black 14, E Falkner 32; A Melrose 16, A Monkhouse 10; A Uttley 16, P Reynolds 13. Wales bt Ireland 101-94 – Rink scores (Wales skips first): A Lewis 17, M McHugh 12; S Oliver 17, S Bailie 25; G Miles 17, P Montgomery 13; A Butten 18, C O'Gorman 9; K Pearce 20, D McCloy 22; I Jones 12, J Dowds 13. Final standings: 1 England 6pts (+104 shots); 2 Scotland 6pts (+5 shots – 221 ends scored); 3 Wales 6pts (+5 shots – 215 ends scored); 4 Ireland 2pts (-47 shots); 5 Jersey 0pts (-67 shots).

Women's county match at Thatcham – Berkshire bt Wiltshire 110-102 – Rink scores (Berks skips first): S Harrison 19, J Collier 16; P Holland 15, I Gardiner 18; M Stradling 24, S Raymond 17; B Wall 19, B Bowen 18; J Holmes 16, N Oliver 10; S Young 17, F Mace 23.

Bristol & District Bowls League, Lloyd Trophy, Prelim Rd: Bristol South 35 Bristol A 66, Civil Service 49 Henleaze C 45, St Andrews Park 44 Kingswood & Hanham 51, Bristol Arrow 45 Page Park B 40, Avonvale A 42 Knowle A 54, Ardagh 29 GB Britton A 59, Bristol St Andrews 55 Henleaze B 25, Long Ashton 34 GB Britton C 48, Begbrook Green B 40 Greville Smythe 44, Weston Bath 41 Keynsham A 55.