There was a derby day for the bowls clubs of Datchworth and Shire Park (Tewin) among another busy week of competition.

The pair met in Tewin for a mixed friendly with Datchworth returning home complete with a 77-66 win.

The four rinks were shared equally but it was the one won by Jan Smith, Neil Mean and Clyde Martindill that proved decisive, the trio clinching a 27-5 success.

Shire Park's top rink was that of new bowler Adrian Childs, Chris Wright and Gus Edwards who won 23-17.

The Tewin club are celebrating their 75th season this year and their first anniversary game saw them take on a district team.

But despite turning up short-handed, and needed topped up by three Park players, the district ran out big winners.

The top rink for Shire Park was that of Chris Wright, Martin Taylor and skip Kevin Brazier who won 14-12.

The match was preceded by a round of applause for Shire Park member Mike Bridgeman and Reg Collins from Welwyn Garden City who both passed away recently.

In the Welwyn & Hatfield League, Shire Park Yellows won on both rinks at home to Knebworth, and 47-24 overall, to take all six points.

They also won 37-28 away to Bengeo, claiming five points after one rink win and one draw.

However, against Potters Bar in the Jones Cup, Park were knocked out, a heavy loss away cancelling out a home win.

Datchworth were also in WHBL action, away to Welwyn & District Wanderers, and they came back with a 37-29 victory.

Each side got one rink win, Datchworth's winners being Anna Pattle, Dave Castle and Clyde Martindill with a 23-13 success.

Andy Pattle, Jan Smith and Chris Hills lost the last three ends to see a 14-11 lead turn into a 16-14 loss.

There was also one Stevenage Mixed League Knockout Cup match against Riverain, that ended in an 86-75 loss.

Two mixed triples were played at home and two away, and each club managed one win at each venue.

Datchworth’s home winners were Barbara Williams, George Campbell and Derek Henley with a 31-12 victory while Lucy and Daniel Williams, plus skip Steve Chamberlain, had a 31-18 triumph in Hitchin.

In the end though rink wins of 31-5 and 25-8 sent Riverain through.

More mixed friendlies ended the week, the first a 45-35 loss away to Townsend.

Each club won one rink 13-11, Datchworth's winners being Pauline Whybrow, Chris Hills and Ian Williams, but the clincher was a 21-11 win for the St Albans-based hosts.

One day later a trip to Buntingford ended in a comfortable 125-51 win.

All five rinks were won by Datchworth, the best of them a 31-5 success for Sue Ellis, Keith Smith and Steve Chamberlain.