Bowls round-up: Potters Bar and Datchworth start the season

In total there were 56 members playing in either the president Jean Scott’s team or that chosen by the captains.

Scott welcomed players and spectators with Michael O’Hagan among the crowd, one day before running the London Marathon for the president’s chosen charity, Young Minds.

On the green though, Scott did not have the best luck, going down 93-78 to the Bar captains, Julie Lucas and Lez Steed.

The day leads into a busy season for The Walk-based club, as they look forward to national, county and district competitions, as well as more than 80 friendly matches against clubs from across Hertfordshire and north London.

They also have two open days planned, the first on Saturday and the second on Sunday, May 12.

The club will be open on both days between 10am and 4pm for residents of the town and beyond who may be interested in trying out a new pastime.

For more details, contact Jean Scott on 07759 984710.

The teams from the president vs captains match at Datchworth. Picture: DBC (Image: Datchworth Bowls Club)

Datchworth’s outdoor season also started with a regular battle between president and captain.

They had 42 members braving the somewhat chilly but dry conditions and found the green a little bit "pushy" following the wetter than usual winter.

But following the hard work of club greenkeeper Peter Hills, who is also the president, and his band of willing helpers, the game went ahead.

Four of the six rinks were separated by just four shots or less but Hills' squad only managed one rink win, as the captain’s team prevailed by 108 shots to 85.

They only winning rink for the president came from Linda Tyler and Jim Whittle, who each shared half the game, Gill Parsley, Julian Hales and Ian Williams.

They claimed a 19-16 success.

The best of the captain’s five winning rinks was that of Sue Hemmings, Jack Harper, Dave Castle and Keith Smith with a 23-13 victory.