Young schoolchildren were given a hands-on introduction to the world of bowls at a delighted Welwyn club.

In what is becoming an annual event, a total of 60 pupils from Welwyn St Mary's, along with their teachers, took part in two sessions at Welwyn & District Bowls Club.

The combined sport community event was overseen by 15 of the club members, on hand to help the youngsters find line and length on the green with junior and small-sized bowls.

Among them was Rhianna Russell, who also bowls for the county and England.

A spokesman for the club said: "Certificates were handed out on the day and a few pupils asked if they could come here again."

Welwyn & District have an open day for all members of the public, regardless of age or ability, at their Ottway Walk home on Saturday at 10am.

For further information, go to www.welwynbowls.co.uk

Datchworth's week began with a re-arranged Welwyn Hatfield League Division Two match against Welwyn Woods, ending in a 38-31 defeat. 

One rink lost but there was a draw for Howard Carrick, Keith Smith and Julian Hales.

They had dropped five shots on the penultimate end to trail 17-16 but picked up the required shot to rescue a share of the spoils.

The WHBL Jubilee Cup match against Bengeo needed an extra end to settle matters, after a 20-10 rink win at home was cancelled out by a 19-9 loss away.

However, Datchworth came through on the Bengeo green to go through.

An East Herts League Division One match at Welwyn Garden City Lions saw Datchworth Blues win 42-23.

The two rinks were shared but a comprehensive 32-3 victory for the Datchworth trio of Graham Akers, Steve Arnold and Rob Hazeu, the latter in for Les Parsley who pulled a calf muscle in the warm-up, saw Datchworth home.

The Golds lost 42-15 in Division Two, both rinks losing.

The Stevenage Mixed League finally provided some blessings as they got their first win of the season, beating Letchworth 51-39 at home.

Two rinks won and the other was drawn, the best of them being an 18-10 success for Chris Hills, Maurice Gordon, Keith Smith and Steve Arnold.

There were two good results in friendly matches for Shire Park (Tewin).

They won 66-65 at home to Townsend, top rink coming with a 24-9 victory for Terry Crane, Linda Draycott and Laura Hastings, before earning a 68-68 draw at Hatfield.

That saw the rink of Draycott, David Williams and Alan Watts pick up seven shots on the last end to win 22-18.

There were mixed fortunes elsewhere though.

The Yellows advanced in the Jubilee Cup with a walkover but Mike Howe had to concede to the opposition in the East Herts Triples.

However, Elaine Wulcko came through in the Jock Hunter, beating John Matthews away at Knebworth 21-12.